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To vent or not to vent.....

I am 49 now, my biotronic ICD was put in last September after a horrible gall bladder surgery (in June).
I knew things wouldn't be "by the book" when the cleaning lady threw it away while I was in the ICU.
I am part of a study "Cosmos" I believe. Is there anyone out there who is also part of this study?
I know I should take my questions and fears to the Doctor with me, but when I get there I feel so.... intimidated or ??? Anyway it would be nice to talk to someone about some thin...

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IT ITCHES......for pete's sake!!!!!

Ya'll,
I'm going crazy. This doesn't even make sense to me. I just got implanted (that sounds weird....hee, hee) on 8/14/08. I have done amazingly well, but just yesterday my pacemaker site is ITCHING like crazy.
Up until now the site just stings once in a while, and I have figured it's just part of the healing process. I know that when things heal that they itch, but I haven't itched until now. It's a little late for that now, I thought.
Is this normal? HELP
Thanks bunches...

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Recovery

Thank you all so much for your comments. This has helped a lot. I let my Dad read them and hopefully it will make him feel better. In answer to some of your questions:

To TraceyE - My Dad first had a heart cath and only had 80% blockage and they will treat with medicine. The Dr. sent him to a blood and cancer specialist because his plateletes were low and also mentioned the pacemaker. All tests came out okay with the exception he was low on iron. They set up an appt. for him to r...

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hi everybody

after all the advise you have all given I went back to the hospital and told them about the 8 minute every 3 hour day and night testing (I think) and they did some tweeking and now its not so bad it s 13 minutes still every 3 hours and it still makes me jump, so I need to be careful not to be coming down stairs or have a hot drink in my hands when it happens, I go back for the check up next week so I hope they sort things out then. any way thanks for all you help its much appreciated.

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Hello Again

Hello Everyone how have you been? Things have been crazy down here in Florida and only seem to be getting Crazier. I have midterms and Biketoberfest Starts on the 16th. Just when I thought things were going to slow down. But anyways, I went for my Check up in September. Things seem to be going great. My little buddy pacer has kept me Alive through 7000 Heart Pauses. My tech also told me that is shows that my Heart Pauses alot at night while im sleeping. Scary. I was glad to find this out but it...

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Syncope

Hello
I wish to thank everyone concerned with replying to my message about my 37 year old son, who was once diagnosed epileptic and has now come to the conclusion that it is not neuro related at all. He is being referred back to the congenital cardiologise because of his cardiac medical background.

Thanking everyone for replying to my rather confused letter.
It is nice to know that some people out there either round the corner from where i am in England or many many away.

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It's coming out!

I had to share! I had my consult with the EP surgeon today and he says he sees no reason to not take my ICD out and sees no reason for me to have one! WooHoo! He is going to be trying to schedule the surgery for next week. I'll keep everyone posted as to how things progress and what the outcome is.

joy

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Student Survey

Hey everyone,

First off, i would like to say that I found this site not to long ago and I think it is a great community with a wonderful purpose of spreading information, giving support, and connecting people. I am a student at Virginia Tech and am working on researching pacemakers, ICDs, and their users; this brought me to the Pacemaker Club. If any of you are interested, I have posted a link to my survey further down the message, go ahead and run through it with the best of your abi...

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Syncopy

Hi everyone - my son, now aged 37 had 2 valves repaired at the age of 5, We were told then he would probably have to have plastic ones at a later date. Over the last 5 years he has been in and out of hospital because of going blue in lips and fingers and cheeks, Each time hospital put him onoxygen and he recovered quickly. He has been told he has epilepsy now. I dont think so. I think because his pulmonary valve is leaking, it is not sending oxygen from the blood to his brain, making his pass...

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Neurally Mediated Hypotension (Vaso-Vagal)

Hi again everyone.

I'm in the research and share mood!

BEWARE: VERY LONG POSTING.
(but probably the most informative I've ever found)

(People should consult their doctor before trying any treatment)


GENERAL INFORMATION ON NEURALLY MEDIATED HYPOTENSION AND ITS TREATMENT


What is neurally mediated hypotension?

Neurally mediated hypotension is also known by the following names: the fainting reflex, neurocardiogenic...

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Heart Disease & Depression

YES, I did post this about a week ago, but I think it may be very helpful yet again..especially to the newbies!!

Sept. 29, 2008 -- Heart disease and depression are so common that all heart patients should be routinely screened for depression and referred for professional help if necessary, according to new recommendations issued by the American Heart Association.

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20080929/check-all-heart-patients-for-depression

thanks
...

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Time Zones

I live on the East coast of Australia and the time here is 8:00 am Thursday 9th DST (Daylight saving time). I noticed that the time of a recent post was about 16:30 Wed 8th. What is this time as it does not seem to be GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) (21:00 Wed 8th). ? Is it Montreal time. I find that because I live in Australia that by the time I see a post quite often a post already has a number of replies and my answer would be useless and I have given up looking at chat. Have to go now as I do not...

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California Firefighter with Pacemaker

Hello! I am looking to contact a California Firefighter who has a pacemaker and is back to full duty. I am a California Firefighter with a pacemaker who is looking forward to going back to full duty myself. If you or someone you know of fits this can you please email me? Thanks!
-Alex
awarski@aol.com

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Weird feelings..

Hi all,

I am 22 and last Wednesday I had a dual pacemaker put in due to multiple syncope episodes in the last 6 months that have resorted into smashing my head many times and many hospital trips. It appears I suffer from Bradycardia (resting heart usually in low 40's, and high 20's at night) and I have vasal vagal syndrome. Also the hospital notices my heart beat was irregular quite often. All in all, the ticker isn't really the way I want it. At 22, this has been like hitting a brick...

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Living With A Pacemaker

Found a very interesting article....enjoy!

Living With Your Pacemaker



Now that you have a pacemaker (or soon may get one), you may be wondering why you need one and how a pacemaker works. Your artificial pacemaker is a modern marvel; it's medical science's solution to the electrical problems of a slow or irregular heartbeat. But before you can understand how your pacemaker works, you first need to know a little about your heart. Basically, your heart is a...

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Biomedicine and me

Hi my friends,

I have got some good news :-) - I study the biomedicine now (first year) - I tried to go to dean (2 weeks ago, because I didn´t know about the study and when it came to my knowledge I knew that it is the work, which I want to do in my future) and showed him my book, which I wrote as I said you before as well (it has got 72 pages - and it is about radiofrequency ablation of heart) - he and also the subdean told me that they like it very much and offered me to study the...

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Managing Your Pacemaker

As promised...

Managing Your Pacemaker

Do your part in managing your pacemaker. You may have to have someone help you, but there are certain things you'll need to do to manage your pacemaker successfully. These include:
Understand your acceptable heart rate. Before you leave the hospital, discuss with your doctor the specific maximum heart rate above your pacemaker rate that's acceptable. Discuss the programmed lower and upper rate for your pacemaker, too. Talking abo...

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Anyone in my position please

Hi Guys

You will be pleased to know that I am not on here to have a moan and groan as such. I am now at ease with having the pacemaker and have stopped taking the pulse every five minutes.

I would like to know if anyone has had their pacemaker reduced to 45 bmp. I still run and attend classes for keep fit and have had the pacemaker set at this. Whilst I cannot say I feel unwell, I just do not feel on top form.

Any comments would be gratefully recei...

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Vasovagal Syncope

I was diagnosed with vasovagal syncope and given a PM after a 5 second pause on the tilt table test.

My EP states that the LOTREL high blood pressure medicine I was taking made the probablity of syncope episodes more likely due to the dialation of blood vessels.

Well I did and still due have high blood pressure. He has me on 20mg of coreg (beta blocker) and 240mg of Verapamil (calcium
channel blocker).

He said that if these did not work to lower my pressure...

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THIS MAKES ME ANGRY

Ok, I know that the general public doesn't think about young people having pacemakers, but I just picked up a college preparation "magazine" in the library the other day and on every other page, there was an add for some sort of US military service. I CAN'T STRESS THIS ENOUGH: I know that hardly anyone thinks that kids can have pms, but it is demeaning to the general public when the say "Do something with your life" or "Accelerate your life". Excuse me??? I can do great things just staying on ci...

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You know you're wired when...

You fondly named your implanted buddy.

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