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So much fun!

Okay, true story...

I just got back from a business trip with a few of my colleagues. We were coming back and were going through the Calgary airport. Like usual, I had to get a personal security check. All of my collegues have been through this with me, so they stood aside and waited.
I get this NEW guy who obviously has never done a "hands-on" inspection before.
I un-do my belt, flip up my collar, etc.

He's being VERY careful, asking me before he touches me anyw...

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Doing well

I'm 51 years old and had a dual lead pacemaker implanted in April, '05. I was always a healthy person running marathons, gym workouts, surfing, etc. I was worried when I first heard the news that I will need the pacemaker and thought the worst.

I go to the gym 3 days per week and I run 4 or more days per week. Next week will be the first time in my life that I've run 60 days in a row. I feel great and I've never had any problems with the pacemaker. I hope that all is well with th...

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About those lawyers...

Okay, I see that the Pacemaker Club has a privacy policy that says they will not share our emails with anybody.
HOWEVER
That doesn't mean they won't send out information (even from a law firm) blindly to all its members.
Yes, one could argue the merits of suing a company that is making devices that may have extended my life by umpteen years.
Nobody told me that my PM or leads were fool-proof. Nobody said they came with a guarantee.
Would I sue if I found they were de...

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ambulane chasers and Pacemaker club sell out

I can't believe Pacemaker Club gave or sold my email address to a bunch of ambulance chasing lawyers without my consent. How much did the Club get for the list??
It's bad enough to get telemarketing calls on my phone but for Pacemaker to sell out is very disturbing.
The lawyers could get this information from Medtronics and not have to hawk their wares through what I thought was a reputable organization.

georgeh4

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lumpybumpy lead

Hello everyone
I had a Medtronic Duel Chamber pacmaker fitted in the UK in May this year for Neurocardiogenic Syncope. It was all a shock as until I had a Tilt Table Test I just thought the annual symptoms or less were a stomach bug.
The operation itself was horrible---painful in theatre and I felt ill afterwards--the following afternoon staff decided I wasn't recovering as expected and they realised my left lung had been punctured.
I now have a lump just below the scar where the...

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Cycling

Good news day! I had a Guidant pm installed in 2005.
HR had dropped to 30 on a bike ride. Normal resting pulse was about 52. Now participating in veterans' bike races - lowest grade- not too hard. My only slight concern is that during a ride my pulse sometimes goes over 150 (a couple of times at 160). I believe at aged 74 my max should be around 150. Any comments? Matelot

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Telephonic checks and Medicare?

I was due last Thursday for my first official telephonic check at 9:40. I had my little modem all ready and was awaiting the phone call. Instead I got a call from the tech who said due to Medicare rules I couldn't have a check until January (?) because last month on Oct 17th when I had a "spell" and fainted they had done an inquiry in the office.

I said where is that written and she couldn't answer. Is there a time frame or something? I read here that people have such good rapport...

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Newbie

Hello All. I had my Dual Chamber Pacemaker put in August 20,2007. it.s a St. Jude model and I will be asking you all some questions, and thanking god for you all. It,s so new to me and I have lots of questions, that i want from people like me that have been through it. First one is do you still get some of the symptoms (small ones) like a little light head, some dizzyness, only minimal, but is it normal, do you get them? Thanks and God Bless Us All msphil

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Anxiety After Being Zapped By Defib

Any advice on getting over those anxieties after being zapped? In an ideal world you want to forget about having a defibrilator
and I was in that state of mind for a couple of years after it was fitted until I got zapped. The positive side of being zapped for me was at least I know what to expect if it were to happen in future. I do find myself feeling for my pulse from time to time which is a habit I want to get out of. In addition my libido/sex drive has dropped. I take a beta blocker (so...

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Musical Interference

Any performing musicians out there? I had a Defib fitted about 2 and a half years ago. I've been zapped twice in the last 6 months (my first time of being zapped) and both times I've been performing at the same venue with an electric instrument. The Doctor has told me it's just a coincidence. This affected my confidence to play as you might imagine and I became quite anxious about performing. Any similiar circumstances out there,words of wisdom? Any musicians with Defibs? Thanks Steve

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homeopathic therapy

does anyone have any experience of seeing a homeopath? do any of the tests they do interfer with a pacemaker. im due to see one next week and would be grateful if there would be any contraindications to the pacemaker .thanks

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Hypotension

Hi All,
Last Friday I checked my BP and it was 90/70. My doctor (@ office clinic) told me that I've got 1st degree Hypotension and he gave me med. Akrinor (cafedrin HCL 100mg + Theodrenalin HCL 5mg). Before PM implanted, my BP is normal (120-130/80-85). Is there anyone has the same situation after getting PM? Right now I feel dizzy (mild) especially when I moving quickly.

Gandara

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need help with a fib nuka

Dear Nuka,
i can empathize with you and any of us who have had to endure the anxiety and discomfort and occassional dizziness that accompanies a fib. Before my PM i would prefer having a flutter or reentrant atrial tachycardia over a fib because i just didnt function as well.(And i am a full-time physician who can't just call in sick easily.) i have gone for many days in a fib and i do not recommend it. you could be cardioverted and feel better quite immediately if things cannot be contro...

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PM revision

I had my PM implanted 1997 (dual, Medtronic) and has worked like a dream since., however replacement day will have arrived on 26th November and the PM leads will need replacing as well. Can anyone who has had this done before advise me of how the lead removal/replacement went. I worry somewhat about this part of the procedure as I believe there is some possibility of damage to the heart when leads are removed as they will have grown into the heart over the preceding 10 years. Thanks to all if yo...

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Pacemaker Dependency Percentages

My pacemaker implantation was September 2005 and now that my PVC's (post ventricular contractions/extra heart beats) are now under control, I feel so much better. I still have some brady-tachy episodes but they are split second and my dizzy spells are minimal. My pacemaker is set at 70 and I have so much more energy. However, my heart beats mostly at 70 and rarely a beat more on its own. I have gone from pacing at 12% initially to over 57% according to my last 4 checkups. My pacemaker depende...

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Need help with a fib.

Hi All,
Since a change of medication a few months ago I am generally doing well except... I have had two of the longest episodes of a Fib that I have ever had. The first lasted 15 hours and the one last night was 12 hours.

All night long my chest rocked around like it thought it was at a Saturday night dance. I finally converted back to normal rhythm about 11 this morning. What a relief!!!

My question is this. Does anyone have any special coping techniques they use wh...

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Weird Feeling Behind PM

Tomorrow will be 4 months for my Pace Maker. Haven't had any problems except early on with some pinching type pain around the site but that went away and probably was nerve related.

But this morning something weird happened. All of a sudden I am feeling my heart beating right behind (or maybe in front of) the Pace Maker location. Never happened before. It felt like it was racing but when I took my pulse it was about 84. It went away in about three or four minutes. Anyone else ex...

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violin is better

thanks to all who suggested the ep follow-up. i actually saw the medtronic tech and with one or two clicks of his computer attached to the blue "hockey puck" i was off and running with the symptoms gone.

thanks to all of you and this is a wonderful website especially to us "newbies."
violin

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Electrician Contractor -Occupational Concerns

Hello,

I am wondering if there are any electrical contractors out there who have a pacemaker and are working in a different work site or location every day. How do you manage the uncertaintly of magnetic field and electrical current levels if your job requires that you visit a different customer (sometimes power plants) every day?

I would appreciate any input from those who may have experienced this? Thank you!

Teri (Nurse from Michigan)

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telephone check mystery

I have had my St, Jude model 5376 about 2 years with no problems. In late Octorber I went with a friend to a hospital where she had an MRI. I was sitting in a room about 30 feet from where the machine was, the door was open.

I was a little concerned, it happened that a couple days later I was scheduled for an in office check of my pacemaker, every thing was OK, they said.

But days later I unexpectedly passed out while sitting in a chair talking with some one.

I...

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You know you're wired when...

You have a T-shirt that reads “Wired4Sound”.

Member Quotes

I'm 43 and have had my pacemaker four weeks today. I'm looking forward to living another 50 years and this marvelous device inside me will help me do that.