Most Recent Messages

Cardiologpist...

I had my Cardiologist appointment yesterday, and I stressed myself out over nothing! I found myself wondering a few days prior to the appointment if I was going to have to have a heart catherization (for those who have had one, I am sure you will agree that they hurt). At anyrate, my bp was good, my heart ultrasound was good, and my ecg went great. He had no concerns until....until I started talking to him about the pains in that chest area that I get when I do anything too physically stressful...

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similar conditions?

greetings all pacers!
i received my first Pm in 12/7 and it seems to be working well. it is set to pace primarily in the right atria since i have sick sinus syndrome. i also seem to have another situation which compounds the issue. my pulse has always been very low and so has my blood pressure. resting pulse is set at 60 BPM due to the PM but my BP is still too low and variable. now runs 105/65 when sitting. when i stand, it drops to 90/70 roughly and can produce lightheadedness etc. i am t...

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Could something be wrong?

Hi fellow pacers,

I had my first pacemaker implanted 26th Nov 07 for congential complete heart block causing low heart rate 40 bpm and have my 6 week check up on Weds (9th).

Although I'm definitely feeling a lot better and the pre-PM symptoms of fatigue, migraines, neck pressure pain, heart thumping, left-sided numbness and lightheadedness have more or less gone, I've noticed a reduction in the benefits over the past two weeks.

Basically, I don't feel as 'well'...

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Pacemaker Dependency Questions

Is there anyone out there that can explain what it means to be "pacemaker dependent"? I am interested in the difference between someone with a non functioning av node and someone with a non functioning sinus node. What is the definition of pacemaker dependency and does it matter which node is non functioning? I see a lot of people here who are primarily paced in the ventricle vs those that are primarily paced in the atrium. What kinds of conditions define the difference? I guess I'm looking for...

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Palpitations 2

Following up: I saw my cardiologist yesterday and he noticed that my pacemaker was loosing capture. It looks as if my heart needed more juice, because I have a high thresh hold. He increased the voltage to I believe its measured as 3.5mV and NO MORE PALPUTATIONS AND I FEEL GREAT!!!! Last night, I slept like a baby. Thanks to all that replied to my original posting (Christmmpace James, Meadowlark, Pinkypie). It really helps to know that your not the only one in this boat.

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3 canadians

lol 3 of us canadians on at one time. don't know where the fisherman is from. he does not say. well everyone have a lovely day jessie

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And the beat goes on and on and on

Hello fellow pacers. I have a question or maybe a situation. I don't know which really. Here is what is going on....

When I am resting at night, after I have been asleep for awhile I wake up and like to listen to my heart beat. It is so even and sure. Not like before when it would stop up to 10 sec. Here is the concern....

My heart beats okay for a bit then it adds up to 8-10 extra beats! like this.. *-*-*-********-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-******** I hope you can unders...

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Lead Recall

With the recent medtronic lead recall, it's a real nightmare. I wonder how many of you out there feel this way; firstly if you're pacemaker dependent(which I am) and at the same time need the ICD due to recurrent VT it's quite harrowing. You wonder when the recalled lead will fracture and fail you. It's so worrying. Secondly having had a lead replacement just last year due to the lead (ventricular) perforating the heart resulting in pericarditis, I'm even more paranoid. This newly replaced lead...

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Silly I know

I know this is silly but would anyone mind sending me a pic of their scar? My e-mail is lil_sassy_angel11@verizon.net. If not it isnt a big deal im just stressin.

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Anxiety


I had my appointment to get the results from my 14 day monitor today. It did show some of my symptoms were during episodes of atrial pacing but they say that shouldn't cause breathing issues. During the few episodes of ventrical pacing I registered no symptoms. That is when they would expect to see any symptoms. Am I just odd or does anyone else have symptoms during atrial pacing?

I was told that I was still in the early stages with my PM and it is normal to have some anxi...

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medtronic recall leads

I have posted on this subject before but am still wondering what to do as I am hearing (from doctors, friends, news and here) that more and more people are experiencing problems with medtronic fractured leads. As I no longer have insurance, I am anxious about how I would pay to have a lead replaced and how dangerous it would be. The person I spoke to from medtronic didn't seem to want to help out at all and I am strongly leaning toward filing a claim against the company. No, it is not what I...

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Complicated question

Hey everyone,
well as some of you may know I got my first PM in June for syncope episodes due to low BP and a condition called dysautonomia. I am on tons of BP meds and now with the PM I thought I would be doing much better. Well this is not really the case, I am still fainting at least twice weekly with no warning signs. Many injuries from this!!!!!
The fainting has been plagueing me for over three years. I have not been able to drive or work. I have accepted that I may never fu...

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any pharmacists out there

hi all!
i am the proud owner of a medtronic PM (first owner-low miles) and have been a retail pharmacist for 21 years. anyone else in my line of work or similar professions? always nice to know that you are not alone!
steve.

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Finally a good change!!

Well as you all know I have had crazy ride! From the 9th to the 30th............to the 7th!! Im super excited and that kinda scares me! Why on earth would I be excited? I know why, im ready to feel better, move on with my life and have a baby! hehe So for those of you who wanted to know when........ its this Monday the 7th @ 6:00am! Yes im excited but im not yet over the fear, I actually dont think it has hit yet! So please keep me in mind! To each and everyone that has helped me this far I cant...

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Vagally Mediated Atrial Fibrillation

Has anyone been told they have Vagally Mediated Atrial Fibrillation (VMAF)? While I don't fit the profile of a male, under 50, athletically fit.....I do have the symptoms fitting VMAF such as my a-fib occurs at rest (never during exercise or stress), lying on my left side (and sometimes on my back) generates a-fib, often a-fib occurs after eating a large evening meal, sometimes just bending over brings on an attack.

My PM was put in Nov 2007, and I am being treated for the more commo...

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Palpatations

Hello,
My name is Pedro and I am 26 years old. I was diagnosed with WPW in 2000. I had an ablation and a pacemaker implanted in 2000 and I was good then. The pacemaker was replaced in September of 2007 and just noticed a problem 2 weeks ago. It seems that every time I lay down on my back or most other angles, my heart skips beats as I deeply inhale or yawn and keeps skipping until I sit up again. This gets very frustrating because I have not had a good night sleep for a while. I also almost...

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Problem with shocks from pacemaker.

I had my pacemaker put in on October 2, 2007. The first night after the pacemaker was put in; it started shocking me (it felt like someone was poking the center of my chest with an electrical wire). I was having problems breathing, between shocks, and it was very painful. The nurse (after about an hour) got in touch with my doctor and he prescribed a muscle relaxer. I don't know if I passed out or the shot put me to sleep. The next morning as soon as I was awake, they adjusted my pacemaker....

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New Jersey folks

Atlantic Care offers free information for people who are in need of cardiac support. These seminars are held every month at the Life Center on 2500 English Creek Road, Egg Harbor Township NJ, 08234. If you're not from this area just call the 1800 number and they will be able to help you. If all else fails we can start one ourselves. Keep in touch and I hope this helps you all. For more information on up coming events and seminars please call 1-888-569-1000. WWW.Atlanticcare.org

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Photo Album

Hello Dear Friends,

Just want to thank everyone who has posted their picture in the Photo Album. What a joy it is to see your lovely faces. I keep going back and re-looking at each of you. This is a terrific way to know our best friends even though we will never meet. Some pictures tell us what is really important to a person. It will be fun to watch the album grow as new members are added.

Cathryn B - where on Puget Sound do you live?

Sharon

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Still Itchy?

I am 7 months post-op and doing fine but for my incision still itches. Not constantly, but frequent enough to be bothersome. I've used the major scar creams and oils to help relieve the irritation, but they haven't helped. Have any of you been bothered with problem? Any home remedies out there that you've tried?

Thanks and best wishes for a healthy and happy New Year. Patsy

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You know you're wired when...

Jerry & The Pacemakers is your favorite band.

Member Quotes

I'm 35 and got my pacemaker a little over a year ago. It definitely is not a burden to me. In fact, I have more energy (which my husband enjoys), can do more things with my kids and have weight because of having the energy.