Most Recent Messages

Cardiac Sarcoidosis

Anyone in this group have Cardiac Sarcoidosis? 'Sides me, that is... I'd like to compare symptoms, etc. Thanks.

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Breathlesness

When semi-active in vary warm weather (temperature over 85), I often experience breathing difficulty and an odd sort of heaviness in my chest. My pulse gets erratic. One one occasion , within hours , I went to the cardiologist but EKG and pacemaker check revealed no problem. This has happened when I'm on the golf course (using an electric cart), and when I'm on the golf practice range.

Have had the pacer over 2 years but just began experiencing this during the last year. Also, as...

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Recovery

  • by DD
  • 2008-12-08 07:12:41
  • Coping
  • 1373 views
  • 0 comments

Dear RaggedyKat What you are feeling I think is pretty normal. I had an ablation almost two years ago and I am 100% dependent on this little computer. My adjustment was much harder psychlogically than physicaly. I cant tell you that I dont know its there but I have learned that this is my future and I try to eat and sleep and live right and try to be normal. I thank God for modern technology so that I can live. Everyone has the why me syndrome but think of other things we could have that...

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just back from my cath

Hi Friends,

I posted several times over the last few weeks. Too make a long story short, it all began with my last pm check which show a few short times of fast beats.

That lead to an echo, then those results lead to a chemical stress test. That showed an area in the front of the heart that was a concern with circulation. Next a heart cath was order.
This morning I had that cath.

Thank the good Lord...I have no blockages or areas of concerns!
They to...

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Hello Everyone

Just returned from my first follow up visit after receiving my pacemaker on Nov. 25, 2008. I am using it at 100% and for some reason this makes me feel very uncomfortable. This whole thing happened so fast - went to the hospital on Monday, the 24th, straight from my doctor's office and had the surgery the next morning. I think I am still recovering emotionally. Other than that I feel great. The soreness is gone and I have so much more energy. What can I expect now, can I live a long and ac...

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Thumping Diaphragm

I had a pacemaker since 1997 . The Doctor just added a 3rd lead, since then I have had a feeling like my heart is beating in my stomach. They tried to adjust the settings and it helped some.But I am getting really agiatated. Can anyone help me.

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Can someone help?

I'm probably just being an overly paranoid mom, but it never hurts to ask questions....right?

My daughter, Olivia, is 7yrs old and had a pacemaker implanted 3 wks ago for High Grade AV block. Her & her sister got into a scuffle this afternoon and she was fine afterward, but a few hours later started complaining of pain in the pacemaker/incision area. When I lifted her shirt, there were dark veins visible surrounding the area - that have never been visible before. She had no other v...

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Med Alert Bracelet

I ordered a Med Alert bracelet, but don't like it as the info tag is almost as wide as the top of my wrist so it is uncomfortable. Wish I could go to store and actually try some on rather than order online. I did find several websites that had some really cute ones, think I will order 2-3 more. I don't wear charm bracelet so not too interested in getting that one.

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Pacemaker Moved To Side

I just went for my 3-month pacemaker check at the doctor's. He said everything was fine and the CareLink phone check was the same as my first one - using it less than 1% - should last me for 10 years before replacement.

I told him that it had felt like it had slid slightly under my arm. When I lift my left arm to wash, I can actually move it and it kinda stands up. I am totally grossed out by it. I know . . . I have to get used to it.

He did not seemed concerned that...

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first 'shock'.


Hello Everyone.

I suppose i have been offically inducted into the pm club for real.Just got 'paced' the first time a couple of months ago.The incident of totally unexpected.I spent a couple of days in the cardiac ward for the usual tests.Everything is okay.Reassuring too know when it happens the pm is there for a reason.


Hope everyone has a nice holliiday season.

Take care all. seeker581

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my time is up

Greetings, all. I've been powered by a Medtronic PM almost 11 years. I do believe it has finally "flipped". I have wondered how/if i would know and my question has been answered - I feel like *&^$. Get winded very quickly and have to sit down and pant like a dog. I thought I would get it replaced in 2009, deductible issues, but i know i cannot wait now that I feel this way. I went to CVS and did the blood pressure machine. Every time my pulse was 67, the other numbers varied, so I have di...

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Bothersome PM

Hi everyone,

Since the initial placement of the PM and months after I really had not been aware of it physically. Lately there are times when it is bothersome. It isn't only when I am in bed either. Can these things move around in it's pocket? Does anyone know why this might be happening. Just curious!
Jessame

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Depression & Physical Symptoms

Thought some of you might find this article interesting and/or informative. I found it on the WebMD site.

Depression: Recognizing the Physical Symptoms

Most of us know about the emotional symptoms of depression. But you may not know that depression can cause physical symptoms, too. In fact, many people with depression feel pain or other physical symptoms. These include:

Headaches. These are fairly common in people with depression. If you already had migraine he...

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loop system interferance

morning everyone ,my hubby is also hard of hearing as well as having pm and merchanical mitral valve ,have been told that some things may interfer with pm ,hubby uses loop system wired up to tv and wears a recever round his neck witch sends signals to his hearing aids does any one no if this will interfer with his pm he hasnt used it since pm was fitted a few weeks ago thanx x

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FLORIDA HERE I COME!!!!

OH MY GOODNESS!!! I WILL BE IN FLORIDA ON 20TH DECEMBER!!!! So excited!!!
Anyway, Hello fellow Pacers! Pacer Chicks and Cabg!

Now, any advice as I was to start swimming again! Haven't been in absolutely ages (3 years!!!) any advice regarding my right arm/chest (where Gerry the Pacemaker lives!). And also weight training... just want to lift very light weights!!!! All advice gratefully received as usual!!

Thanks so much and chat soon!
Love, Loopy Lou xxxxxxxx...

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Ejection Fraction

Hi everyone, found the following information from the Mayo Clinic Website.....and it's understandable!! yippee.

Ejection fraction is a measurement of the capacity at which your heart is pumping.

During each heartbeat cycle, the heart contracts and relaxes. When your heart contracts, it ejects blood from the two pumping chambers (ventricles). When your heart relaxes, the ventricles refill with blood. No matter how forceful the contraction, it doesn't empty all of the blood...

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Heart's Surplus - Power for Pacemakers?

Hi Everyone, I found this on the American Heart Association's website:

Heart’s surplus energy may help power pacemakers, defibrillators

Study highlights:
• In an experimental study researchers show a beating heart may produce enough energy to power a pacemaker or defibrillator.
• An experimental microgenerator captured enough surplus heart energy to provide 17 percent of the power needed to run an implantable pacemaker.
• Generator refinements could yield sm...

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Atrial fibrillation and ablation

Hi
I like to seek some comments and views of ablation.

I have brady/tachy syndrome and atrial fibrillation with underlying hypertrophy cardiomyopathy. I have a PM implanted 2+ years back, and is on Sotalol and aspirin. I have no major problems all year long. Recent check-up however show-up new statistics
1. Increase incidence of atrial fibrillation since last check-up 1 year ago.
2. Intensity of afib increased from prior year readings.
3. Total 6 afib events gre...

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Breathlessness

  • by Ajay
  • 2008-12-06 01:12:53
  • ICDs
  • 4783 views
  • 5 comments

Hi,

I got a ICD + PAcemaker (Combo) device 2 months back. Everything went well for the initial 2 weeks and slowly i developed loss of breath. I had discussions with my doctor and per his advise my medicine for pumping the heart and for BP ( Medicine Cardace) was increased to 2.5 mg BD. It helped me initially with no episodes of breathlessness but again I am developing the same problem. My doctor advises taking Lasix during these episodes however I need advise from all who have got thi...

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Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Hello everyone, I had my ICD implanted on November 11th of this year and this site has been incredible in helping me adjust to it and the changes it has brought to my life both good and bad. I'm writing now because of the underlying condition that precipitated the need for the ICD, my cardiomyopathy. In 2.5 years I have had no contact with other dilated cardiomyopathy patients and have never found a site anywhere near as comprehensive for DC as this site is for ICD/PM recipients. Never knowin...

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