Most Recent Messages in General Posting

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carvedilol vs metoprolol

Carvedilol superior to Metoprolol in MADIT-CRT analysis

Interesting read:

http://www.theheart.org/article/1524745/print.do

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PM's and Paddles

While working my mini garden ~ wondered about hub's new pacemaker. Not wishing this on anyone, but considered, what do they do if say Emergency Medical Service had to jump start a persons heart ? I've had CPR training and the subject was never brought up . . . May just call our local EMS to find out . . I'll advise on here later [I can't be the only person out here thinking this. . . ] Linda N

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PM's and electrical storms

Have another Q: [aren't we newbies pests ?] Electrical storms. . . . hubs, who has 10 day old PM, is out on his riding lawnmower and I hear thunder . . . . Should PMers duck and cover at the slightest sign ? Sent this to Cabg Patch and TraceyE too [they were sooo cool to answer my last Q !] Linda N

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Riding

New here just had icd implant, looking forward to riding.

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survey about experiences with pacemakers, ICDs

Hi everyone,

As I mentioned in one of my earlier postings, I was planning to designe a short survey for my study, and here it is! http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/W36NF9Z

In brief, it is a pilot project on the ways in which people with non-organic cardiac implants, specifically pacemakers, ICDs, etc. think about their implants, bodies, health, and over all wellbeing. The goal is to find out how people of different gender and age groups and from different cultures experience ha...

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emps

With all the talk about North Korea and emps, does anyone know what happens to people who have icd's in. Is there anyway to protect yourself? This thought is terrifying to me.

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POOKIE

Does anyone know how pookie is?

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Throat & Sternum Pressure

Does anyone else ever feel a certain pressure on their throat by the trachea and then a quivering pressure a little left of the sternum? Im taking a beta blocker for svt but these uncomfortable pains keep coming back and my doc looks at me like im crazy when i explain them. Does anybody else feel this?!

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Blood donation issue

I just went to the blood drive at my job, where I usually donate the 4 times a year thet hold them and ran into an issue related to having a PM that I think needs to be addressed.

Keep in mind, I had my PM inserted in 2006 and have donated many times in thep ast few years. .

As usual, I filled out my form and answered the question about problems with the heart and indicated that I have a PM. As per the NY Blood Center rules, they need to call a Medical Director to get cl...

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done stupid thing!!!

well iv been a bit too stuborn today and instead of waiting for my partner to come home to get me a box file out from down side of wadrobe i got it myself but in doing so twisted my left side bending over the box wasnt heavy and i used my right hand to get it was just in an acward position i didnt feel anything at first but now its tight around my left rib and kidney area yep a pulled muscle please tell me i carnt move a lead doing this im 4 1/2 weeks post op so should be bedded well surly reall...

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My son is 18 and getting a pacemaker fitted

Hi all this is my first post - my son is having a pacemaker fitted on 10 April 2013 (next week)- he is just turned 18 - we are from N Ireland - he has no symptoms, never blacked out, never dizzy but he has a heart rate of 28/30 beats per min. He was told he has total congenital heart block - some thing he was born with. I was just wondering if he should go ahead with having it fitted as he is always healthy and his low heart rate does not affect his lifestyle in any way, he is a 6ft 2in heal...

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i'm scared!!!!!

hi all!!! i've just turned 35. i got my pacemaker in 2009. i had the worst,most excrutiating surgery ever. i was given local anaesthesia and also had to go thru an angiography. by the time the doctors got around to my pm; the anaesthesia had already worn off. i lived through the doctors pushing and shoving to get my pm in!!!!!
it was horrible..i lost my dad when i was 10 and since then i've been scared to death of hospitals. to add to dat my disgusting experience....i dread the day i have t...

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Recovery Time After Surgery

I recently posted a message about my 88 year old mother who went to the hospital for an infection, low white blood cells and fever due to chemotherapy she received for esophageal cancer.

While at the hospital, her heart began to experience pauses of over 7 seconds on Friday. These pauses occurred at least 5 or 6 times during the day while I was there, and God knows how many times during the night.

The hospital staff told my mother that since her oncologist had informed the...

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new to PM

Hi,
I am 54 and I am new to PM world. I have a genetic heart disease, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. I ended up in ER in California on March 20, 2013 and I got a pacemaker that day. I am recovering now. I have more energy than before and hoping to feel better soon.

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Can I sue my Doctor for damaging my nerves?

Hello,

I've had SVTs since I was a kid and had a Defib put in as a safety precaution for VTs. I WAS NOT DEPENDENT ON IT AT ALL. I got rid of the SVTS through RFA but my valve was replaced in 2010 with open heart surgery.

The surgeon damaged my nerves during surgery and my chambers do not pace together anymore, so now I am dependent on the pacemaker/defib.

My Dr said my nerves MIGHT grow back in 5 years, but it has been 3 and there are no improvements.

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New Implant

I had surgery a week ago today and am still really sore. Realistically, how long should I expect before the discomfort subsides?

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electrical or a heat problem

Hi!
Has anyone had a problem with battery operated watches? I didn't prior to having the PM but I have not been able to keep a watch runing for more than 2 or 3 days since I got the PM. I also have a problem with touch screens such as the ATM, Kiosk, picture printer and debit card machines. I can press the keys several times and nothing happens. Any thoughts?

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Symptoms and anxiety....help please.

Hello Everyone, I haven't been on the site for a while....but I have a question that my cardiologist has not been able to answer to my satisfaction and so I turn to all of you who have so much experience and compassion.
I received my PM 11 months ago for bradycardia, sick sinus syndrome. No other cardiac disease and generally healthy. After several months of adjustments, my HR, now set at 65 seems right for me. I am able to exercise as much as I want and in general feel pretty good.
...

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Surgery and ….PM/ ICD and patient safety

While in the hospital after my recent surgery, I was told by the Orthopedic Surgeon that they never have a rep come in for programming or restoring the device back to the pre-surgery settings. He said they ALWAYS just use a magnet. I started to explain what happened with the rep and the Surgeon said …”I don’t get involved with that” so….end of conversation.

Yes the magnet will work for their purposes but is it the safest way for us and our devices. So we request a rep be present...

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Pregnancy with PM

Hi there,

I have third degree heart block and I am just wondering if anyone here has any information about pregnancy with heart block and if they have given birth naturally with it. I've never really been given any information

Thanks!

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You know you're wired when...

You have a shocking personality.

Member Quotes

Your anxiety is normal. It takes some of us a little time to adjust to the new friend. As much as they love you, family and friends without a device just cannot understand the adjustment we go through. That is why this site is so valuable.