Most Recent Messages

Post Message!

Soft Touch Seat Belt Thing

Does anyone have this PM protection pad advertised on this site? Wondering if it works well. I am having a problem when I drive. The seat belt irritates my incision and applies too much pressure to the area. I've been using a soft heavy washcloth but it keeps slipping and looks a little silly too.

Read More...

Tate

Hope Tate is doing well this evening. I have a five year old granddaughter so I can identify with him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you tonight.

Sue and family

Read More...

I need your help!

I am so frustrated! I had my PM implanted in March 07 and I am still having SO many problems. I was told my Doctor was one of the best but he (actually a team of 5) can't figure out what is wrong. I got the PM because I have a second degree heart block when I exercise. My heart rate would go from 170 to 60 and stay there for a minute or two while working out. The signal from the upper chamber to the lower chamber was not going throught so that is where the pacemaker came in. After MONTHS the...

Read More...

Frozen Sholder

What is this and how do I prevent it?

Read More...

Thank you all for the encouragement!

Thank you all so much for the encouragement! The anxiety along with the pain is a Bear! I feel so alone and it is great to have this website. I stumbled on it accidently and I'm SO glad I did. All of your suggestions and info were very helpful. It's good to know that my feelings are normal and part of the process.

Cornellgirl

Read More...

Travel Insurance

What are members experience with obtaining travel insurance once you have pacemaker/defib unit?

I had an infarct 20 years ago, and have had some issues with travel insurance in the past, usually having to concede that any cardiac issues would not be covered by insurance.

With more recent travel I haven't had to worry as the questions on the application form relating to cardiac issues only covered the last 10 years, so I could ignore my past experience (I have been symptom...

Read More...

Finally an answer?

Hello everyone. Wanted to update....wow. Thank you all for your support!

This last Tuesday I had a CT with contrast (ordered by my internist only after I've been to hell and back trying to get an answer) to look at my chest to see if there was a connection to the swelling and pain in my left arm. The result was colorful.

I apparently have obstruction in progress of my Superior Vena Cava (SVC). What kind of obstruction is yet to be determined (could be a clot?) so I go back...

Read More...

New Pacemaker

Hi All,
I just had PM put in this past Friday and it is REALLY painful. Feels like it will never stop hurting. My arm's in a sling and I cannot sleep or eat much (i'm a chubby girl, so that's prob a good thing :)

I'm staying with my 24yr old daughter while recovering and it is a challenge since we both live alone & are quite independent. Fortunately my heart is healthy other than the Sick Sinus Syndrome they said I had which should be corrected by this PM. I have alot of anxiety...

Read More...

Anxiety

I had my pacemaker installed in an emergency surgery on Wed. afternoon. Since I have been dealing with a great deal of anxiety about all aspects of my recovery. I had a very sudden onset of heart block and it was quite frightening. I can't seem to shake the fears that it will happen again or that I will have every complication possible. In actuality all seems to be going well. Is there any help for the anxiety?

Jack

Read More...

I R I S H P A C E R S W H E R E A R E U ?

Sorry to be a bore ~ Just wondering (again!) whether any Irish Pacers (pacers living in Ireland) would be interested in getting together. Please let me know if anyone is interested, there's 4 of us so far (from Dalkey, Donegal, Co. Down and Galway) but there must be more of you out there ........... drop me a line with any thoughts, thanks and look forward to hearing from you ......
(colinandanita@eircom.net or anitaabboyle@hotmail.com)
Thanks and best regards,
Anita.

Read More...

lost voice

I had my pm implanted on Friday. Sunday when I woke up I realized I could barely talk. This lasted most of the day and seemed a bit better at night. Today it is back to normal. Just wondered if anyone else experienced anything like this?
Judy

Read More...

Anxiety

It has now been nine (long) weeks since my PM. I am having such anxiety and boutsof crying. I have an appointment to see a therapist and probably start on an anitdepressant which I have always been totally against, but I need to do something for this anxiety. I also feel that I need some adjustments to my PM and I do have an appointment to go in to see to cardiologist for that soon. My energy level is low and I also have a slight headache once in awhile which I have never had many headaches...

Read More...

From EP Lab Digest.

This article might be of interest to everyone. It sounds like a marvelous invention. I hope it will soon be available. It's about time that someone comes up with a pacemaker aesthetically better for thin skinned women, and men.

~ Dominique ~

Features:
Anatomically Correct Permanent Pacemaker Casing
- Sergio Sanchez-Zambrano, MD Cleburne, Texas.

Article.

The electronics of current implantable devices are outstanding and truly life-saving devic...

Read More...

2 and 3 lead Pacemakers

I have had a two lead pacemaker for about 8 years....I have had it replaced once because the battery aged and failed. I have developed fluid in my lungs which has been attributed to my heart. It has been recommended that I replace my two lead pacemaker with a three lead one. They say it will be more efficient. Has anyone had a problem like this and were you told the same thing? What has been your experience?
I would appreciate anything you can tell me related to this type of problem.

Read More...

MINI MAZE PROCEDURE

Hello
This is my second post today so many questions. I had mentioned being in afib now for about 4-5 days i have a pacemaker for tachy - brady syndrome i take coumadin i also take digoxin and tambacor ant atenalol because of the afib but have never had it last so long anyway the last time i saw my cardiologist he mentioned doing a mini maze procedure he told me there was only one dr in colorado who did this and he happened to be at the hospital i use has anyone had this and did it work he...

Read More...

Hi Dani

Sorry to hear you are headed for a pacer as well.
I have no family history. I actually got a virus and it went to my heart and I got ectopic atrial tachycardia. Long story short
it took 4 ablations to get rid of it and ended up with heart rate too slow and it stopping multiple times a day for 8 seconds.

I was very dizzy, short of breath, and had no exercise tolerance. It happened pretty quick after my last ablation. I do feel 100 % better since the pacer though, other than t...

Read More...

Should I get a PM?

I gave birth 5.5 weeks ago. at 9 days postpartum, I felt a little weird (figured it was anxiety, long time sufferer) so I checked my bp, was 170 /97 pulse 44 called OB they said go to ER. I was just tired. just had a baby....Endedup seeing a cardioologist. had a holter shows sleeping rate 33-70's and day rate 50's - 100's I do not think I am really having symptoms because when i get dizzy I will checck my pulse its around 60 then Ill feeli ng fine at night and it is sometimes down in the u...

Read More...

new to club!

Hi all
I am a new pacer pt. Just received pacer almost 3 months ago at 26 for SSS. I was wondering if anyone ever experienced increased pain in pocket and sharp electric like pain in lead area. I have a dual chamber that was placed under the muscle. I have had increased pain and low grade fevers( up to 101) over past two months. All blood cultures negative. Is this normal and has anyone had this? I am trying to convince myself it's normal but any experiences would be appreciated! Thanks

Read More...

Pacemaker for SSS now Heart beating SVT

Hello, It's been a long time since I was at the site--
In Dec 2006 I got my new Medtronic Adapta. Things have been great. I had a pacemaker checkup 4 weeks after in implant, everything was great. I was told with this pacemaker I would have it checked every six months. Well, that was in July, and I had 19 episodes of SVT. My doctor did not like the results and had the rep could to his office and have a recheck. Now I'm on a Beta Blocker(hate the side effects) again and back to 3 month check...

Read More...

Not Quite Right

On June 11, 2007 I had my PM implanted. Since then there have been several times when I have went to get up after a few steps felt odd. It's hard to describe. I feel kind of light headed or in a fog all of a sudden, like maybe getting ready to pass out. I know things like this happen as we age but this has happened a lot more since I got my PM.

I had bypass surgery on February 7, 2007. All my doctors tell me there is nothing mechanically wrong with my heart and I've never had a hear...

Read More...

You know you're wired when...

You invested in the Energizer battery company.

Member Quotes

Stay positive and remember that your device is your new best friend.