Most Recent Messages

I have a pacemaker - do I need it?

Not quite sure what happened to me in 2001 when I was 55 but I passed out on airplane and a Dr on board suggested I be cardio tested. I did that - I was subjected to every test imagineable and flunked the infamous tilt table test - they said I flat lined for about 5 seconds and then I restarted myself. My Dr said I should have a pacemaker installed. I did and am now on pacemaker #2 (the first one had an internal problem). Anyway, since I had the first pacemaker installed, the pacemaker has ne...

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Grr.

Ok, you know the Holter and the blood test I had done? Well, I was supposed to get the results no later than this week, but nothing. What should I do- call, wait?????????????????? Anyway, just don't want to sound pushy and I don't want to seem like I don't care. Oh yeah, my stress level is through the roof again because I'm taking the PSAT today and on top of that I have a cold/ allergies and that dumb adrenaline rush feeling again. I wish my test results would come back- I'm tired of feeling li...

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great news about lead and question for Electric Frank

Went to my EP yesterday for check. Concerned about lead because I had been told the lead wire could cause wear (and trouble) from swimming by cardiologist. My EP did a PM check and found I have 7 years left on battery...was 5 years at last check. Thats my good news, and even better was being told that there was no wear to my one and only lead and to enjoy swimming as much as I want. The lead wire was not at all tight and lots of coil in the wire. My question to you, Frank, is that under lead su...

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Pacemaker brands

I am coming due for a new pacemaker generator and am wondering if a Medtronic or a Boston Scientific DDDR PM is better. Which one has a longer battery life and which one has better features...any info is appreciated.

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ERI mode

What is ERI mode? I'm new to Pacemaker Planet and still learning. Thanks.

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IM services...

We need to find a way to list all of our AIM, ICQ, etc info on the site. I know a lot of us have them and chat is so inconsistant...

Guess we could list all of our messenger services on our "hobbies" line on the member info

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MRI's & Pacemakers

Saw this article you all might be interested in!

http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=19798

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Worried - Now

I really don't know what tothink when someone tells me that the thing that keeps me alive is in going to kill me? I am 100% dependant and without ventricular pacing would not be around to complain, however now I have to worry about my family losing me ealier than maybe they would have because of this thing. Sorry, but I don't always handle this well and don't need bad news that I cannot change. Please be more sensitive to what you say, be it fact or not. Thanks for making my day!!!

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Battery condition.

I had a phone checkup this week and just got my copy of the report in the mail. (I have them trained to mail it to me immediately). All is looking very well other than that the battery life is down to 1-2 years. Time flys. I've had mine for almost 4 yrs so the 5 yr average is catching up.
I have one more phone checkup in Jan and then an office check in April.

The reason for writing all this is to share my plans at the next office visit. I will let them know that I expect to hav...

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Dizzy & light head

Hello there my friends:
I have a few questions. First of all, I went to my hair dresser & when I held my head over the sink, I got very dizzy. When I got up was very dizzy, to the point where I felt like passing out had to sit back down on the chair. After sitting for a minute I tried it again, was very dizzy had to hold on to the hair dresser, fortunaly there was also a sofa near I had to set down for couple minutes.Is that normal. Now yesterday all day was very dizzy and light headed.

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Sick Sinus Sydrome

The reason I had the pacer put in 11 years ago was due to what doctor said was SSS. Today for the first time since 1997, I learn from the EP doc that my heart paused for 7 seconds during my sleep back in 1997.
I am scheduled to have the generator taken out next month because this will be one of the two ways to find out if I need the pacer or not and the fastest way.
I have done some research on SSS, and I am really doubtful that I have SSS as I don't have the symptoms of it.
Durin...

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Corroded St. Jude Leads

Is it just me or is anyone else out there experiencing problems and happen to have St June Leads Model 1888TC/52 and/or 1888TC46. Had these leads implanted 7-31-08 and extracted on 9-16-08. Leads were corroded and appeared to have been implanted for years not 6 weeks according to my EP.

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Healing time

Can someone tell me how long does it take for the swelling to go down?

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Mixed feelings

Saw the EP doc today and he will take my pacer out on 11/18. I know this is what I wanted for a long time but I am a bit confused as well. I mean I have had this thing in me for the past 11 years and I kind of feel sad to not have it in me anymore. Does this make any sense to anyone? I also don't know how I can readjust to life without the pacer as I don't handle changes too well.

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(Emergency) Healthcare in the UK

Hi guys,

I'm headed to London this fall for some film school (for about a month), and am tempted to ask around about emergency healthcare in England and Scotland. Has anyone had experience with the system? It's pretty scary to pass out in the street pretty much anywhere, but I'm wondering if the way the Brits respond is different than the treatment you might receive in America. Thanks in advance for anything you might be able to pass along!

(I am also accepting pub/park/res...

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SOB = partially collapsed lung :(

There goes my 5k training. Pooh!
Just a little bump in the road. Maybe in a few days, I'll be good to go.
Don't get scared pacer/ICD people.....I also have lung issues from a complicated ablation I had back in April. This setback has nothing to do with my PM. I wish it would do wonders for my lung like it has for my heart rhythm.

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Medical tourism

hi all,
This is in response to Mike's question ( exsailor66) about medical tourism. I don't seem to be able to get the private messaging to work, so I hope it's ok on here?
I found this site I wanted to share. Perhaps someone can benefit.
http://www.europaenmedicaltourist.com/heart-surgery.html
Just go the pacemaker section, it has a contact at the bottom of the page. They will get back to you with details of what they can do for you, plus a price.
Hope this helps
E...

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feeling low

hi guys i just thought id have a little moan. i hope you dont mind ive had my ablation 2 weeks ago and i feel alot better so why do i feel so low. iam having my pm moved on friday at the moment it just doesnt seem to end the hospital appointment and operations. i wrote a few weeks ago about depression and how people cant get out of it. well ive been so surprised by the affect of not taking my medication has had on me. the last ten days have been hell withdrawl symptoms but it is like a cloud of...

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having a frustrating out of breath day

Hey ya'll,
I sure can't breathe today. It's very frustrating. Every time I complain to my cardiologist there's nothing he can really do, so I just quit complaining and deal with it. Doesn't make it any easier though. I'm wondering if I need to go back down on my beta-blocker. It's been a few weeks since my increase, and I wonder if it's now starting to get the best of me. I just really feel like crap. I think I'm gonna call him anyways. I have a history of phrenic nerve damage back in April...

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Question

Im going to cardioligist tuesday just want some advice. Im almost 4 weeks into my implant, 10 weeks after high risk bypass, and an ef at 20%. Started back to work last tuesday, was able the first 2 days not having to do alot, got tired and a little short of breath, thursday and friday I tried to do more work, well thursday i got short of breath pretty bad and light headed, friday got short of breath and dizzy felt like my head was numb I had done quite a bit of work, kinda of scared me cause i r...

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You know you're wired when...

You can finally prove that you have a heart.

Member Quotes

I am just now 40 but have had these blackouts all my life. I am thrilled with the pacer and would do it all over again.