Most Recent Messages

Hi

Hello everyone - I have not been on here for some time due to family commitments, son being poorly, brother in law being in hospital etc but things are on the mend now.
It is getting cold now here in England and I find my heart condition worse - does anyone else have the same problems.
I have had this 2nd pm now for nearly 4 years and am dreading the replacement part. I have not felt as good with this pacemaker as the 1st one. (different model) That was in situ from 1987 - 2004.

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Epicardial pacemaker

Hi

I am due to go and see my cardiologist in 3 weeks, because I have been having trouble with nausea and breathlessness when walking short distances. I know that a pacemaker is something that I will need for heart block in the future, and I think that it may well be sooner rather than later now that I am having these symptoms.

Because of previous heart surgery, I was told 6 years ago that i would need the pacemaker leads to be implanted on the outside of my heart, as so ma...

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PACER CHICKS (& CABG !)

Hey everyone! Not been in for a while.

Not been too great but have my wonderful children here, looking after me and doing loads of chores!!! ha ha ha ha!!!!! My son is watching this whilst I write - so had to say, he is a very good boy!!!

Ok, just want to send my love to all of you! and hope to catch up soon!

Still looking forward to coming to Florida in 3 weeks time!!!! Tracey E and I are going to meet up and so excited! Anyone else in Florida wanting to m...

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Tingly at Incision Site...

I had my pm in on Friday, 11/21, now I'm experiencing a tingly sensation in the vicinity of my incision. Is this normal? Can anyone advise if that is just the healing process or something more sinister?
AC

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THANKS BLAKE!

Just a quick message to our fabulous founder Blake,

Just thought I'd say thanks again for bringing us all together when we need each other for support.

I have not been on here for a while - but very much appreciate all the hard work you do on our behalf!!

THANK YOU BLAKE!

Love & Hugs, Loopy Lou xxxxxxxx

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Fibromialgia

Dear all,
Last week I saw an Internist (Gastro Hepatology) and he diagnosized me that I have GERD (Reflux) and now take some medicines (prosogan FD 15mg and Braxidin 150Mg). Beside that I also suspected to have Fibro mialgia. It attacks me suddently and my muscle arround middle chest feeling hurt. This dease occur when we are under stress (physically/mentally) or expose to cold air such as AC. He suggested to do Fisioteraphy since no medicine available (except just pain killer).

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High Anxiety

Hi everyone, I'm new here and also new to having a defibrillator as of Nov.11, 2008. My docs have been pretty good about answering questions but there is one thing no one can seem to address. Since the day after surgery I have been feeling an incredibly high degree of anxiety. My sense is that it is related to this new thing in my chest but is also due to the underlying reason I needed the ICD in the first place. I'm also fearful of getting a whopping shock that everyone describes as a "kick in...

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Firefighters with Pacemakers

Hello! I am 22 years old and have had a Pacemaker since I was 11. I was diagnosed a partial block in my hearts electrical system. I am currently trying to become a firefighter and was wondering if there are going to be any problems getting a job even though I am NOT pacemaker dependent.....Thanks!

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heart block

cher thanks for sharing your story,how long have you had your pacemaker and does the doctors talk about your ejection fraction mine is 36..and has anyone improved this number and how can you? by the way this site very helpful!

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AV Node ablation patients??

Hey there ya'll,
I know all about the anatomy of the heart, and the electrical system. I also know about AV Node ablations, but I'm still puzzled a bit.
I know when they ablate the AV Node the bottom chamber no longer recieves the electrical signal from the sinus node, thus causing 100% pacer dependency.
My question is how does this really help relieve symptoms of palpitations, flutter and a-fib?
I'm scared that I won't be able to do as much being 100% paced, or in the end I...

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Excessive Pain during surgery/Lovenox

Hello,

My mother had pacemaker surgery at a major hospital in Boston Nov 12. My brother and I were there with her. All seemed to be going well and folks at the hospital seemed supportive. Although there was some comment from the docs/interns that she was being consciously sedated (and they wanted to make sure she stayed breathing on her own), at NO time did anyone indicate that the pain during the procedure would be excrutiating (sp?) and that the numbing/freezing whatever you call...

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POOKIE

COME BACK TO CHAT
Vonnie

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pneumonia/colonoscopy/sedation

Both my internal med doc and the gastrologist agree on proceeding with the colonoscopy as long as I no longer have fever or coughing. I'm glad since I'd already started preping for the procedure by coming off coumadin and giving myself lovenox shots since Saturday. I was going to have antibiotics for the colonoscopy anyway due to my endocarditis history - guess I got a head start - I was given Rocephin IV in the emergency room, and am taking Levaquin orally now. I'm still requesting no versed....

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ICD Shocks

My mother had a pacemaker then got "upgraded" to an ICD. That leaves me wondering if the eventual plan for me is the same. If you have an ICD and it has "delivered therapy" how would you discribe the feeling?

Vonnie

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when bending over, feel like my face is going to explode

I had my PM almost 3 years now, I felt good since. last couple months, when bending over and standing up, I feel like my face is going to explode with blood and a strange feeling around my neck, I am not overweight, my doctors all told me my pacemaker setting is ok, and there is nothing to worry about, but, I have a feeling that something is wrong with me. thank you all.

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heart block

this is all new it all came about unexpected in june and i collapsed out of no where ended up 8 days in the hospital with the diagnosis of av heart block with no know cause and a pacemaker at 37 ! It's taking some time coping with is all,anyone out there with anything similar?

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Home again...

So I'm home from my first pm surgery. Rather sore, annoyed about the new lump on my chest (hubby says it's not really noticable), but overall doing well. It's very weird feeling something thumping around in there...I guess I just have to get used to that. Trying to stick to ibuprofen during the daytime - now that I'm out of bed the Darvocet makes me feel kind of spacey.

The kids (2 and 4) did well. My girl was very brave; I could tell she was holding back tears when they came to v...

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Ablation

Hello to all of my pacemaker pals!

I am going to the hospital on Tuesday morning for my complete sinus node ablation. This will be my 4th ablation to date, and hopefully the last.
I am excited to hopefully get my condition under control, but a little anxious at the same time. This procedure will leave me with no sinus activity, thus being dependant on my pacemaker.
Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers Tuesday morning!

Thanks,
Amanda

P.S. T...

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Colonoscopy with pneumonia?

Oh well, I don't know if I'll have that colonoscopy Wednesday or not. Saturday morning, I just couldn't get warm - eventually I realized I was experiencing a chill, which was followed by a fever. Next I started feeling heart palpitations, so I used my blood pressure monitor to check things out and my pulse shot up to 151. I know, for some of you that might not be a big deal, but my normal resting rate is 45-55. I don't usually get above 80 unless I'm exercising. (My pacemaker's lower rate is...

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Bad day for football...

Yesterday was the regional play-offs for our team and we played Monticello from Charlottesville. I had to come... we lost. 6 to 20. Apart from that, it was 32 degrees outside, we had to cut the tips off our gloves, two cheerleaders fell and did not respond or move for at least 10 minutes, and I got hypothermia... no exaggeration. My fingers burned, my left foot was numb and I could barely walk, and my body was frozen solid. I was literally in tears and my fingers still hurt. I won't elaborate an...

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You know you're wired when...

Intel inside is your motto.

Member Quotes

I'm 43 and have had my pacemaker four weeks today. I'm looking forward to living another 50 years and this marvelous device inside me will help me do that.