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Twiddlers Syndrome

Q. Anyone know what Twiddlers Syndrome is?
A. From the Medtronics Technical Manual: patient manipulation of the device after implant may cause the pacing rate to increase temporarily if the pacemaker is programmed to a rate responsive mode.

Put in simple terms if rate response is on twiddling your pacer may give you tachycardia.

frank

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pacemaker club

i wish to say on this beautiful march 18th in central florida how grateful i am for this club and its many wonderful members. i would not be where i am without the support and friendship of many of the members. this is what it is all about. my father-in-law received his in 1970 and they had them but they were not as perfected as we now know them to be. so once again i want to say thank god for this club and blake and the many support people he has. jessie aka maureen

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Interrogation today

Hello Friends,

For those interested, I had my interrogation today. PM was implanted May 2006. This is 7 months after the last checkup. I am pacing 100% in the ventricle, same as last time. Pacing 74% in the atrium compared to 54% 7 mos. ago. Leads are good and stable, life left on pacer is 5.8 yrs. We talked a bit about atenolol and some of the side effects but overall I am doing very well.

Sharon

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First PM Check Up

Hi Everyone

I have my first PM check up this Thursday - 6 weeks post op. As I am still really breathless - I really would like to have a bit of understanding about the settings and what might help me. I have a Medtronic Dual Chamber PM and the rate response switch is on. I found that out when I saw my cadiologist last week. He is taking this problem seriously and is doing all sorts of tests - so far everything is normal and I am awaiting the results of the CT scan of my lungs - he...

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RINGING IN THE EARS. ( TINNITUS. )

In answer to sistermary's question, regarding ringing in the ears, I thought I'd post this information, which might be useful to other members as well.

~ Dominique ~

Tinnitus
ARTICLE SECTIONS FROM THE MAYO CLINIC.

* Introduction
* Signs and symptoms
* Causes
* When to seek medical advice


Introduction

Ringing. Buzzing. Roaring. Whooshing. Chirping. Beating. Humming. While you may enjoy these sounds in...

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pacer protection in sports

Hi, I just found this website. My son is 15 years old and has had a DDDpacer since he was 2. He has a 2:1 AV block. He has had 3 surgeries since 1994 for replacements and leads. He played baseball, ice hockey, soccer and swimming til he was 12. Now he concentrates on soccer and swimming. He played in a National Soccer Tournament this winter and plays for two teams at all times and swims in the summer. He will also be a lifeguard this year. I have read many comments here and went through m...

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I made it!

Today is my birthday, March 18, and I'm excited to be alive. I'm just a year older then last year and I feel great.
Just wanting to thank everyone here for being a part of my life. I really enjoy being a part of this club. Thank you Blake, for having us all. May you all have a great week, and, make sure you share your heart with someone you love. God bless you and your family.

Christmmpace
James

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"Ringey Dingey"

Does anyone have ringing in their ears? Is that a part of pacemaker syndrome? I know the throbbing in the neck and chest can be but what about that high pitched ringing in the ears? Anybody know? Hope all are well.

sistermary7

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Lifting

Okay the other day I tried to lift my very large yellow lab and ever since then i have had some chest discomfort and also fast racing heart, weird sensations, just not feeling right. So i was wondering can you pull a lead or something by lifting way to much. Stacy

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Best ID bracelets?

Hey there,

Even though I don't think there's much benefit to a MedicAlert bracelet, my wife is so concerned about me with my ICD that it's worth it to wear one if only so she can relax a bit.

The question is, who's got the best ID bracelet, suitable for athletics, for a 38 year old guy? What's the best info to put on it?

Thanks!!!!

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Query

Hi

Been reading a few posts and whether I am reading these right or not I am note sure. Perhaps those who know more can help.

Am I right in reading that a pacemaker if a dual chamber can lead to heart trouble or heart failure?

Just beginning to get a bit anxious here.

Help

Jules

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An article worth your attention

I was asked in a private message sent to me to repost the article I posted last night as an snswer to a post on Laptop computers. I would like to say that I do not have extensive PM knowledge or electrical knowledge; but I have extensive common sense. I realize that the company mentioned is probably covering all bases in case of a lawsuit, but I just think we should all be aware of certain things. I am always going to err on the side of caution. I am so dependant on my PM, that I am going t...

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No stamina and very sore arm and neck

I am now 2.5 weeks past PM insertion and I was told by my medical people that "some patients are back to work within a week". I have a desk job and tried to go back to work half days last week. I found the following: I have no stamina. Secondly, I have a very stiff and sore neck. Thirdly I have a weak and sore left arm. Is this normal?


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strange feelings

I got my dual chamber pacemaker at the end of December. Every week or two I start feeling differently--I just passed my two month mark and started feeling relaxed like I could go to sleep all day. I feel really spaced out--light headed. I check my pulse and blood pressure and everything is OK. I just don't remember ever feeling quite like this. I am also having migraine headaches that started for the first time last November. I have a migraine with that aura around the inside edges of my e...

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At a loss

I've written a few times on here about my problems with passing out its now become a real serious problem. I got my PM put in on New Year's Eve because of 2 problems passing out and a complete AV block. They have change my PM settings numerous times because they said my heart rate was dropping to fast, they said my potassium was too low. I have seen so many cardiologists in my group I've lost count.I've seen a neuologist an internist and finally they called in a shrink. I just loved the last car...

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I love the people on this site

To all the people who posted to me and sent me private emails thank you so much! I went to the family dx this morning and before she even did any vitals she took one look at my face and sent me for xrays. I fractured my cheekbone and the socket above my eye from my pass out session yesterday. She then said we have a lot of work to do she got me an appt with a new cardio dx tomorrow morning at 7:45 and already he was curious as to why a lot of test werent run. She then got me an appt with the nue...

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Laptop Computers

I was reading an old message last night about Toshiba laptop wireless computers. The lady said her regular computer didnt bother her but her husbands wireless laptop bothered her pacemaker. She also said it was in the Toshiba manual that warned about this. Especially the Bluetooth wireless.I called Toshiba today and asked about interference with my pacemaker although I have had no problems. He said that he could find nothing that would indicate there might be a problem with pacemakers. The...

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Photo Gallery

How long does it take for pics to be added to the gallery? I uploaded a few from my trip to Petra last night, but they haven't shown up yet.

Thanks.

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Arm pains

Hi,

I have had my second pacemaker for 3 1/2 years and everything has been fine til my pacemaker check 2 weeks ago. The technicians said there was some atrial fibrillation and have referred me to a Consultant to do some tests and they also switched on a mode function on the PM which stops the ventricles being paced to keep up with the AF. Since then I have had chest pain (which I thought was indigestion to start with), aches and heaviness in my arms (both arms but not at the same time...

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Future technology

Current pacemakers can't do much about Afib, VTach, or the like because they can't slow down or eliminate errant heart beats. The only exception is the ICD which can shock the ventricles back into a normal rhythm.

I read an article in one of my engineering publications about work being done on sophisticated next generation pacemakers that can detect very small signals in the heart wall that signal the lead up to an arrhythmia . The idea is to then insert accurately timed pacing puls...

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You know you're wired when...

You are always wired and full of energy.

Member Quotes

I am just thankful that I am alive and that even though I have this pacemaker it is not the end of the world.