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Anyone else with total heart block?

Hi all. Just wondering if anyone else on here has a pacemaker because of total heart block? Wondering is there a connection between that and random nerve pains I get. Could be down to my open heart surgery also but ever since I've had it I get terrible nerve pains in my arms feet basically everywhere. It's not all the time but I tend to suffer them for a period then it calms down again then few months later bang it's back! So painful feels like I'm being prodded with hot poker...

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Patient App

Has anyone figured out how to get the Patient App to work?  I just get a message saying there's a problem with the connection.  I tried everything.  I would appreciate any help you can give me.  I have an iphone SE.

 

Thank you!

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Help for after surgery

My mom (77) just had pacemaker surgery. She will be going home tomorrow or the next day. What are some "things" you wish you had right after your surgery?  Or things you did have that highly recommend?  How can I help make things easier and more comfortable for her?  
I did buy her some front closure bras and some button up shirts. Someone suggested a bidet- so I've got that ordered too. 
The cardio Dr makes it seem like it''s not going to b...

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And the Count Down Begins

  Finally have a date for my CRT-P placement:May 1.  Yep, only 8 weeks away.  *sigh*  That's soonest available (short of an emergency which to date I'm not).  But I will be very busy during these next 8 weeks still exploring other options. 

I need to get a second opinion from a different system with regards to pocket placement options actual device.  My EP is knowledgeable but really, really, really does not want to do anything other than...

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Tricuspid Valve repair/replacement

Does anyone have any suggeastions or experience in getting their tricuspid valve repaired or replaced?. What questions should be asked of the potential surgeons. I am seeing three different surgeon for opinions over the next two weeks and want to be informed as possible.

Tony

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Alcohol ablation

Getting ready for my first battery change out on my CRTD in the next month.  I had an ablation last December and now my electrophysiologist want to do an alcohol ablation since my PVCs are coming back.  Has anyone ever had one?  Thanks!

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You Can Prevent a Stroke Book by Joshua S. Yamamoto and Kristin E. Thomas

I couldn't find any references to this book on the site (I tried searching by author and by title). It's not about strokes, it's about the heart and the cardiovascular system; lead author is a cardiologist. It's short, very simple, easy reading and probably doesn't contain anything that people on this site don't know. I'd still recommend it because of the focus on the systemic plumbing rather than particular systems. I suspect it's mostly aimed at people who ar...

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Cataract Surgery

Before Covid set in I was promised cataract surgery in both eyes over a period of a few months, but only managed to have the right eye done before all appointments were cancelled.  Today I attended a long awaited pre-op assessment of my fitness to have the cataract removed from my left eye.

The nurse seemed unusually concerned about my pacemaker.  She didn't seem to know I had one, even though I had my right eye Cataract removed at the same hospital with a p...

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Under pec muscle

I asked about getting a micro device but since I have an older style Medtronic device they said surgery would be brutal removing the leads etc. They suggested a new device placed under the pectoral muscle so I wouldn't see it.  Anyone have this done and was healing easy as before?

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Average heart rate

Hi just checking been doing alot walking and jogging average heart rate 166 and a peack of 203 for a 6km walk is that bad. How a post a picture of the heart rate 

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Indigestion??

Many times I have had an uncomfortable episode, often after eating. My heartbeat is slightly irregular, my throat and upper chest are tight and heavy and I feel light headed. Afterwards I burp quite a lot and I have never been a burper.  I spoke to my Doctor about this and she prescribed 20mg Omeprazole once a day which helped as I was getting episodes much more often during the day. I think the pills have helped.

However, I am scared. I have to go to the hospital for my yearly&nbs...

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Pacemaker Check Feedback

Hi All

Thought I would feedback a couple of pieces of information from my device check last week in case it was of interest.

I have posted previously about my sensitivity to the acceleration and deceleration of the heart which normally occurs as part of the pacing checks.  After I explained that I had felt unwell during and after these tests last time, the EP told me that it was not necessary to conduct these tests until I was close to battery replacement or there had been a...

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shortness of breath after pacemaker replacement

Had pacemaker replacement 10 days ago  Healing well  Today have shortness of breath and fatique  Any ideas of why?? 

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Swelling at insertion site

Hello,

 

I had my pacemaker put in 10 days ago and yesterday I noticed swelling around the device/pocket. It's not red, hot, or painful. The incision looks really good and seems to be healing well. The swelling is more like a bump, best way I can describe it, if I flatten my shirt over it you can see a bump or lump. Is this normal? Do I need to go to the hospital? Thanks 

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Gemita

Hello 👋🏻 Gemita

just read  FAQ you took time to write ✍🏼 ....wow,  I not only love it ❤️   But also like that all basic concerning information we all have is in one place !!

 Thank you 🙏🏻 

I will reread it ALL again ❤️ ....few times 🥰 

all the best

Michelle

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CrossFit open - heart rate stayed low and couldn’t catch my breath

I participated in the CrossFit open last night (90 snatches, 90 burpees over the DB with 15 minute cap).   I struggled aerobically and it took me quite some time to get my breath back. My lungs were burning. I checked my heart rate on my watch after the event and it peeked at 129.  I easily do 30 minutes + on the rower, bike, treadmill, elliptical when not at CrossFit and my heart rate ranges between 150-170 and I never feel so damn winded.   I've noticed before t...

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Can a Pacemaker Malfunction?

Hi everyone, I have done some work(!)

I have prepared a long document on Can a Pacemaker Malfunction, which I have placed in our FAQs if you go to Learn, then FAQs, then press the down or up arrow at Club Information, then scroll down to The Pacemaker/Defibrillator, then press Choose Category, where you will find the document in three parts.  I have provided a List of Contents for Pa...

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Cold weather

I have biotronik Enitra 6 DR-T implanted two months ago. How would cold weather affect it? 

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Transvenous (Laser) RV Lead Extraction

Have a faulty RV lead, that needs fixing, ugh.  Hoping to hear from others who have had this done. 

I am a 72 YO female, basically in good health, with 1st PM implanted in 2011 (dual-chamber St. Jude's), and now #2 PM (from 2018 - Boston Medical - Accolade DR L301, with original St. J leads).

Options are challenging due to:

1) existing subclavian vein stenosis at original site (due to scar tissue; procedure to open it up failed and now collateral veins have dev...

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pace trigger

Had pacemaker put in in April of 2023 so I am a newbie so to speak.

I have an unusual expierience that I have mentioned to my Cardiologist as well as my PM technician with no real clear answer. I am scheduled to have a yearly pacemaker check on the device so maybe this situation will be resolved   At exactly the same time every night my pacemaker causes my heart rate to increase not drasticly, but it goes from 62 beats to about 78 for about a minute or less duration, It s...

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You know you're wired when...

You fondly named your implanted buddy.

Member Quotes

99% of the time, I totally forget I even have this device.