Most Recent Messages

PVC's after Exercise

Hi, I am 23 yrs old. My pacemaker was implanted 4 yrs ago when I was 19. I was a runner in High School and exercised frequently. Until one day after a vigorious run, my heart beat was beating irregular in it's low 30's. After the cardiologist watched me for a couple of months, they decided to put in a pacemaker. I have never been the same. I am extremely symptomatic after exercising.

Anywhere from 1 - 5 hrs after exercising, I get really bad PVC's. It feels as if my heart is "sticking...

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Atrial Lead Replacement

I've posted earlier messages about clavicle crush and twitching muscles...we finally got an answer. My atrial lead wire insulation has been worn down due to pressure and grinding from my clavicle. The chest xray clearly shows a 1/2 inch portion of my lead wire exposed without any insulation. When my pacer would detect a need for atrial pacing, the current would stop around my left pectoral muscle, causing the pacer pocket and surrounding muscles to violently twitch - sometimes visible though my...

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Running and Settings, low Max HR

I received my first PM (Boston Scientific Altua 60) Jan 16th 2009.

My story: I've continued running but been overly tired in general for the past few years. My Dr ran a lot of blood tests but couldn't find anything wrong except for High Blood Pressure and a Low Pulse usually in low 40's at Dr visits. He kept me off any medications that might lower my pulse since it was already low.

I went for a blood pressure/ cholesterol check up with my GP on Dec 19th and ended up...

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my nude pic now in gallery

Oh sorry. I meant NEW pic. Its on the dead last page. A real pain to get there so I can understand if you fall asleep before you find it. Thats me and my wife at our favorite get away in Princeville, Kauai Hawaii. You will immediately see that my wife is a lot younger than me. Lucky me, but then again maybe thats why I now have a pacemaker! And why don't names show up? Am I missing something? I can see the pics but no names.

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Mag-Lev trains and PM

I was wondering, in case I ever go to Japan, can one ride a Mag-Lev train with a PM? Those trains use lot of electro magnets for power.
Another one: can one visit hydro dam sites like the famous Hoover Dam , with a PM?

Ken

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Blood Pressure Tanked

I'll try to make this short but I'm kind of windy! I was struck with the flu Tuesday afternoon and came home from work obviously. Spent 2 days sitting in the bathroom (or real close) until I felt as dehydrated as I've ever felt. I tried to sip liquids but obviously couldn't keep up. Tuesday night, Wed & Thurs I didn't take any meds (I'm on blood pressure, cholestrol & thyroid stuff) because I was sure they wouldn't stay down. By Thursday afternoon I knew I was going to live & was feeling much be...

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mag

I WAS wondering if any one out there has found a good free herat letter or magazine

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Broken Hearted Jane

What are you going to do as your screen name when your heart is no longer broken? I should hope that one of the reasons you're now here is that it's fixed. (At least that's what I hope)

LOL!

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Survey?

I am wondering how many people here have chronic conditions which cause them to pass out occasionally---and how often does it happen? For me, the prospect of collapsing in public has always been the worst part of having a heart condition. It's happened twice within the last two months, and so now I am doubly curious as to what kind of thoughts everyone else who has experienced this has. I find it pretty humiliating, despite what my family and friends tell me. So what are your immediate reactions...

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Back home with new pm

Everything went just fine. Don't remember a thing after the Anesthesia person said "this will make you feel relaxed". haha Boy was I relaxed! Woke up in Recovery feeling no pain and getting teased about stuff I supposedly said while I was in dreamland. Wish I could get a home supply of that stuff. So back home, a little sore but no big deal. New pm is working fine and no SVTs so far either. Got my fingers crossed that some were pm generated. Had a long talk with the Medtronic Tech later in the...

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1 week on a PM

This site is Great!
I really did not know what to expect with a PM.
So tonight I'm Googling "pacemaker/shortness of breath/blogs ... and I find you guys.
Biggest issue with me was bpm constantly in the mid 40's. OK if you are an athlete but believe me, I do not inhabit the carcass of an athlete.
So, basic rate is now at 60 bpm and all is fine. Big Difference in the way I feel, especially in the morning.
BUT ... I get up out of my chair and walk around and at that po...

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A new update...

So today I had a follow up visit with my EP. Last time I was there they had to raise the power on one of my leads. Today I mentioned how painful my incision site has been. They looked at it and said that I had developed a Keyloid and that there was really nothing they could do for it. Then they started interrogating the PM and couldnt make a connection with one of my wires. They did a few xrays and lots of tests and they all revealed that my lead had pulled out. So the doctor wants to repair it...

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Update ~ Looks Like VT

I went back to the doctor on Wednesday for an interrogation of my device. I was told by the nurse that I had some high rate episodes and lots of PVC's. I was concerned about the high rate episodes because I just had ablation number 4, 2 months ago. She said that they only lasted a few seconds at a time and that I didn't need to worry.

Well, today I received a call from my doctor. He told me that the high rate episodes were not related to my previous problems and that I was now experia...

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Hiccups Can Be Bad

As many of us know from experience, our pacemakers can cause hiccups. Tonight I was drinking coffee and had a mouth full when I had the darnedest hiccup I ever want. It caused me to inhale enough coffee that it was down right scary.

I've had my PM for 8+ years and it has caused me to have hiccups since about three weeks after I got the thing. But I've never before had a hiccup when I had a mouth full of food or drink.

I've long had the habit that when I'm alone with...

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What's happening??

I had my pacemaker implant last October for AV heart block with bundle branch block. My initial symptoms were two episodes of fainting or near fainting 10-15 minutes after my run. In fact, I was already cooled down. Initially, my cardiologist thought I had a vasovagal episode, but the 24-hour monitor and event monitor revealed the heart block. I had been training for a half marathon scheduled for this Sunday, which was okayed by my cardiologist.

Last Sunday, after a 10 mile run (a...

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The photo gallery

So I took a look and either all people with pms are young and attractive (unlikely) or only young and attractive people post their pics!

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Dr wants to see me

I went for my pacemaker check yesterday. The woman that does it is really nice.(i see the same person each time) i've known since a few months after my pm was inserted that a lead was bent (i have 20 and that that would probably wear the battery down quicker. It will be 3 yrs in May that I got it and she said that the battery probably has 9-15 months left. Ok, I can deal with that. When they replce it I'll get a new lead and was recommended monthy phone checks for now but to still go the office...

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Broken Hearted Jane...

I love your username, I always have! I hope you never change it. I thought about changing mine awhile back, but my pacer chick friends suggested I leave it as it is because that is who I am. he he... works for me! Your username is wonderful for you :) Makes me smile
Pacergirl

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when i go for an interview should i...

OK im currently looking for a job,but im afraid to answer when they ask if i have any disability's or anything that might hold me back from work,even though i feel fine now but what would happen god forbid i got a shock and end up in the hospital or something an employer is aware that this can happen,what should i say when they ask? i don't like lying =/ should i just say straight out i have a icd/pm? have any of u guys experienced this?

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Meds update

Well i called the EP doc today and his solution was to up my toprol xl to 200mg a day.

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You know you're wired when...

Muggers want your ICD, not your wallet.

Member Quotes

It is just over 10 years since a dual lead device was implanted for complete heart block. It has worked perfectly and I have traveled well near two million miles internationally since then.