Most Recent Messages

SITE FORMAT

I think I have posted about as many messages or replies on this site as anyone during the last several months. I did it because I felt like I may be helping someone and I was returning a favor because this site provided an untold amount of help for me during the trials and tribulations I went through with my pacemaker. In addition as I gathered information for my reply, I usually learned something for my own benefit. But this new format will drastically reduce my participation if it doesn’t brin...

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HEY!

I'm writing to share with you all that I'm going to take ballroom dancing class coming up in June. I've been feeling a little better lately thanks to all the prayers from all my buddies on this site. I wish we can all get together some day soon. You guys are my hopeful comfort and I thank you for being here when I need you.

If anyone who lives in the South Jersey area and would like to come and learn some dancing moves leave me a message. I don't know how I will do, but I'm...

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PM and new to this forum

My first day home after a three day visit at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle WA. Chauffeured to the hospital Tuesday morning in a red limo that looked something like a Hummer; this after passing out at work. They found out my heart was not keeping any sort of normal rhythm that one could march by, dance to or anything else. Doctor Fellows and company implanted the Insignia I Ultra in me on Wednesday, patted me on the head and said you will now be a new man; OK fine looking forward to it.

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There is a cure for A-Fib.

From the Boston A-Fib Symposium, January 11-13, 2007.
Here is an excerpt from the conference.
New research and medical developments in A-Fib, featured a live demo of a Cryo balloon catheter ablation at Massachusetts General. Cryo ablation seems to be significantly safer for patients than standard RF ablation. The Cryo balloon catheter may become a major improvement in the treatment of A-Fib. It has already been approved in Europe, with close to 100% success rate in isolating the PVs...

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Exercise Bikes with Magnet

Does anyone know whether it is possible to use an exercise bike with a magnetic wheel with a pacemaker?

Many thanks

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Battery issue of a Pacemaker, KDR901

Dear Sir/Madam:
A friend of mine in China is currently using a Implantable Pacemaker-Kappa, model KDR901 from Medtronic. It was bought via an agent one year ago. However, the battery in it seems not working well and shows low voltage number (2.6 v). The local Medtronic office in Shanghai did not provide a good service in explaining it in details. They suggested to buy a new one. It costs US$10,000 in China for a new one. Obviously this cost is way too high for a low income family. My friend...

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New Medicine

I have been on 5mg of pindolol but kept getting severe muscle cramps. Yesterday the doc switched me to toprol xl. I was wondering if anyone has experience with toprol xl?

Thanks, boatman

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shellshocked!

hi,

I am a very recent recipient of my pacemaker- admitted suddenly into hospital 3 weeks ago, and had it fitted 2 weeks ago. I am just coming to terms with my implant, healing well and phasing myself back to work. I am considered fairly young to have this procedure (49), consider myself fit and active, and want to get back to "normal" asap -that is get to a point where I am not defining myself soley by the fact that I am a pacemaker user. I am interested in other people's experience...

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seat belts

The recent poll made me wonder if everyone knows you can "climb thru" the seatbelt and have it only around your waist. This is legal. It would be very dangerous for me to use it in the standard fashion, as it passes very close to my prominently bulging pm.

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Anemic now!

I posted after my EP said my symptoms were not because of my PM. My PCP ordered bloodwork and it turns out that I am pretty seriously anemic. My levels are very low and she says that would cause my symptoms. I am now on iron supplements and will retest in three months. Has anyone else gone on the low fat, low cholesterol (eat nothing but chicken) diet only to turn up anemic? Well, at least I know my EP isn't clueless!
Michelle

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Hello!

Hello everyone! I'm new to the site, but have been reading the posts for over a year. I'm looking forward to communicating with you all! This site has been a great source of information and encouragement for me. I want to see if I can post this before I go into "my" story. I'm having a terrible time posting anything! Have a great day! Bambi

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PM Scarring

Hey PMC!

I had a pacemaker implanted 2 months ago and my incision has two keloids small. I was wondering if anyone knew anything about those Silicone Strips? Do they work? My cardi said no? I'm healed on the inside just a little slowly on the outside

Any Feedback on this?
Thanx!

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Disneyworld with a Pacemaker

My now 15 year old son had a Medtronic EnPulse E2 DR Series Pacemaker implanted in December, 2005, to compensate for a Second Degree Heart Block. He is about to go to DIsneyworld with the local high school Band/Orchestra/Choir trip. I have my concerns even though his health and checkups have been great since that time. Does anyone have any suggestions/information either pro or con for activities he will encounter in the various Disney parks?
This is my first posting on what appears to be...

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TO MY FRIENDS

My Friend,

I'm writing to tell you that you're not alone. We must not give up hope. We must stand in this fight together. I'm not going to leave this earth until I have move these mountains that stand before me. I want to ask each and everyone of you to stand in faith and pray for others. Some times we go through the storms and our boat of hardship tends to be sinking. Just when you think life is going to end, remember that Jesus is the Son of Man and His image He has not fo...

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Here I go agian

Hi everyone:)
First of all love the updates on the Pacemaker club web page:)
Well I thought I was doing well but my pacemaker is now having times when it record my heart racing...then I start to feel sick when my heart rate goes to about 44 and it takes a few mins for my P.M. to kicks in. Anyone feel light headed and there head hurt before there P.M. kicks in? I just feel weird and my doc. wants to do this new cat scan test that takes photo faster then most scans.. Has anyone had this...

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7 Days and Counting

I was shocked yesterday to discover where all my energy went. My handy little St. Jude Identity, which has served me well for 3 years, one month and 2 days, reached battery life on March 8, the very day I became a zombie. I'm now in battery saving mode, which apparently means that if I don't have to walk more than a few feet and take really slow deep breaths (hibernate maybe?), I will last until Tuesday morning when I get a new St. Jude. Where oh where is the Energizer Bunny when I need him?...

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so i finally got the lowdown on smoking

marijuana, that is. 20 days post-surgery i ran the query past my nurse, and she said she'd never say it's okay to toke up, but in terms of my pacemaker recovery & everything, it was pretty much a non-issue. she said it'd have no effect on the pacemaker or the incision sight at all! so i thought i'd just share....

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trusting pacemakers performance

Hi, just had implant of a"Sorin NEWAY VDR" pacemaker 2 months ago, I am wondering how long it takes to get used to idea of dependancy on it & trusting its performance?. Have any of you got the same type of pm?. I couldnt find much info. on it in google search.

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pain after pacemaker surgery

On Dec. 1st, 06 i had a dual lead medtronic pacemaker put in. It works just fine as far as my heart is concerned, ( used to beat 30 to per min., now in 60's and 70's) problemis ever since the surgery my left upper chest to my shoulder has quite a bit of pain and my left arm has lost probably 75% usage. my heart doc said sometimes it takes awhile to get used to it, the second time i went to complain, he said the pacemaker is fine and i would need to see another doctor for the symptoms, even thoug...

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Website Feedback

Hi Blake,

It's been a few days since I last logged on and just saw the new website format today. So I am trying to get acquainted with it.

If I may I would like to share some feedback. (I sent similar feedback to the webmaster address under the contact info, so I apologize for redundancy here).

I think the site looks nice and professional. However, I am already finding it frustrating at best to use. I think it's too complicated and cluttered. There are also some...

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You know you're wired when...

Your favorite poem is “Ode to a Cardiac Node”.

Member Quotes

My muscles are very sore but each day it gets better and my range of movement is improving.