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Pacemaker virgin continued!

Ooops! made mistake in last posting! Gerry the pacemaker was eventually implanted on my right side leaving lovely scars on both side of my chest!

Anyone else had this experience??!!

Louise xx

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I'm a pacemaker virgin! feeling a bit low!

Hello from UK!

Well I am the proud (?) owner of 'Gerry' the Pacemaker from 24th July 08. Feeling somewhat low generally as four weeks ago I didn't even know how ill I was!

I was just getting a bit breathless going upstairs and feeling a bit tired.... I just thought that was me being a busy 43 year old mum of two!

So imagine my horror when a routine test showed a pulse rate of 35!!!! I was admitted into Poole General Hospital for my pacemaker procedure!

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Traveling Pacemaker

There have been a number of posts recently concerning a pacemaker migrating away from the original site. Here is reprint of a section in the Medtronics Implant Procedures section of the technical manual.

Securing the Pacemaker
A suture placed through the suture hole located in the connector assembly area helps secure the pacemaker in the subcutaneous pocket, thus minimizing post-implant rotation and migration of the device. Use normal surgical needles to penetrate the suture hole...

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new ICD for diaphragm pacing

I wanted to post this to update everyone on my diaphragm pacing issue.

After a year of x-rays, CTs and an uninformed cardiologist, I finally found out that the thumping in my left abdomen was a condition called diaphragm pacing. The lead in my ventricle was unfortunately placed so that the electrical impulse required to pace my heart was bleeding through and either stimulating my left phrenic nerve or my diaphragm directly causing this non-threatening but definitely quality of life d...

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When to start running again?

Had PM installed on July 22nd 2008. Needed due to low pulse rate from time to time and pulse pausing and passing out. Had first check up a week after installation and all was good. I have been walking almost every night about 2 miles and no problems. Looking foward to start running again. Normal runs are 3 to 4 milses 4 times a week. Anyone out there who can tell me when I can start running again? What issues if any can I expect? Should I limit my miles at the beginning? Thanks for the...

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help needed to alleviate stress about pocket change of PM

I have put myself into such a state of anxiety.
I decided to have a new pocket done for my PM.
The battery change done in Feb. has caused some issues.
I feel and see the protrusion of the lead, the skin over the PM is tender, the PM seems to fall to the left when I sleep. The procedure is scheduled for Friday but now I am thinking I should cancel. The Dr. states the PM is functioning and that my decision should be one of quality of life...
I am now thinking I should not go...

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Mustard procedure: a-fib


I was wondering if there is anyone who had the mustard procedure and had a pacemaker in. What were the reasons for the pacemaker . I have been in a-fib for the last 37 years, and it has never effected me in anyway. My heart rate is now 47-50bpm and at night it goes as low as 28bpm. They now want to put in a pacemaker because of my low heart rate. They also want to try and change my heart rhythm, but no one has ever suggested that before. I was wonder if there was anyone who had the same th...

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pain people are saying

my daughter had no pain when she got her pacer, alittle uncofterable she only had pain when she 1st got a event-moiter inplanted before the pm..

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Will my bump go down??!!!

Hello again!

I had my pacemaker (lovingly called 'Gerry'!) on 24th July and was just wondering.......... silly question I know....... does the pacemaker always protrude through the skin???

Obviously I am still very brused and swollen, but...... as I am on the small side (up top!!) it looks like I have 3 boobies!! Hope I haven't embarrased anyone here! I guess I am expecting some sort of miracle that my pacemaker will become flatter!!!

Can anyone please adv...

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freaken out

my teen daughter has had a pm sence she was11yrs old an now she is going on a trip to dever she will bw on a plane far away from me i live in wisconsin ,milwauke i am ganna freak out while she is gone she has never been away that long but at a friends house omgi no she will be ok with frinds an there parentsbut its the scare of being so far away from me how should i cope with it?

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PM Report

I too am confused by my first report...as far as pacing...my report says..AS-VS 13.5 %
AS-VP <0.1%
AP-VS 86.4%
AP-VP <0.1%

So is the pm working 13% or 86% ...I am totally confused...I thought that I understood it ...as pacing 86% but am not quite sure after reading the last answer to this...thanks so much...vtlaney

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I am having second thoughts

I am 69 and have what has been diagnosed as tachy-brady syndrome. They want to put a pacemaker in to control the slow heart rate and they are putting me on a medication for the fast heart rate or as they call it a-fib. Other than getting a little dizzy and tired i haven't had to many problems. I am afraid if I get a pacemaker that I will not be the same as far as energy and doing the things I do now. Thanks for any help you can give me
tcole1939

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Back on

Hey blue

Was on but something happened - couldn't send messages in chat room had to back out and come back onto site - try again tomorrow.

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Been in and out

Hi Taz I have been in and out of chat. You were late or didn't show up. Am going jto settle down for a bit of Foyles War. See you later

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Difib/Pacemaker

How long does it take before the pain stops in your shoulder after you have had an implant fitted. My husband had it put in two weeks ago and he is still in alot of pain.

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pocket revision

Having the PM moved into a new pocket. Question: what happens to the old pocket. Does it sag or does one need plastic surgery?
If so, I would rather keep it as is...feel the lead and have the PM move. I could get use to it. I just had a new battery put in 5 months ago. Any one have a pocket revision or have a surgeon make a 2nd pocket?
Thanks

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Pacemaker Reliability

Just want to pass on this piece of statistics:
Studies of PM reliability 1980-2002 indicates that the reliability increased significantly, latest was 4.5 failures per 1000, or 0.45%

So, it should be better than that today.

Ken

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Cell phones

I got this from a friend today and thought you all might like to see it. No wonder my doc says keep the cell phone away from the pm!

Boatman

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5odhh_pop-corn-telephone-portable-microon_

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pookie

are you returning to chat?

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Whoa!

Geez has it been a while! I haven't been on for like, a month! We were on vacation (if you call spending a week in the middle of God forsaken nowhere vacation, then that's where I was) then we got a new Internet connection, so I didn't get on in feare of killing it. :) Just in case you were wondering, I am still alive.

:) Sydney

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You know you're wired when...

You have an excuse for gaining an extra ounce or two.

Member Quotes

Yesterday was my first day mountain biking after my implant. I wiped out several times and everything is fine. There are sports after pacemakers!