Most Recent Messages in General Posting

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Good morning all

Just checking in. Been hanging in there. No new problems other then I thinking I am coming down with another infection in my picc line. Started running a low grade fever yesterday. This morning, my temp is running at 96.9 and yes, I'm cold with body pains everywhere.

Guess I will have to go get some blood work to check for an infection today.

Anyway, I hope everybody else is doing great. Take care,

Paul

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pacemaker soon, question on rate

I am 49, getting a BIOTRONIK Evia pacemaker on 10/9 to treat bradycardia. I also have dysautonomia. When I saw my cardiologist in Aug. I failed to ask this question ( he is 300 miles from me) and won't see him again until the surgery morning.

I am used to a heart rate of 40-50.. When I exercise ( up to an hour on a stationery bike) my heart goes no higher than 90 and then drops quickly when I stop. So if the pacemaker was set at say 70-130 I i think it would feel crazy high to me. Ho...

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In need of Research -- anyone want to help?

Its been quite a while since I have been on here. A quick run down on me, I had my PM "Sparky" put in on 12/7/11 after a battle with passing out and cardiac arrest... I've had 4 mini strokes since then.. I just had my first baby 5 weeks ago, I suffer from Atrial Fib and Sever POTS Syndrome. I just turned 28, and have been forced to stay home unable to work.

I am now on permanent disability and decided to turn one of my passions into something. So I decided to write a Novel. It is a c...

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It's been a month..

Since I got my PM. I'm 62 .I had some trouble with my meds & blood pressure but got that straightened out.Been hiking briskly at altitude and hilly terrain.I'm up to 3 miles.Yesterday and today I spent a few hours each day and stacked 3 cord of firewood.2 more left to stack.
I'm back to sleeping on my sides. Just trying to get back into shape.
Going in for an echo cardiogram tomorrow.
Feeling good! I questioned early on if I would ever get to this point.

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shocks

Hi everyone, just got my pace maker 3 wks. ago and the Dr. lower my heart rate on it and today I felt a couple of shocks or that's what it felt like and had some pain for a couple of mins.
Has anyone else had this? What would cause it to do that?
Thank you for any help I can get.
Have a great day,
Sharon

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question regarding hr setting

just had my icd implant on 9/5/13 and one day i feel okay and the next i have a hard time even getting up off the coach. As noted before, I have been a triathlete for the past 10 years and a runner for the past 23 years.

So here is the question...my resting heart rate has always (for the past 20 years) been in the low to mid 40's, now it is set (since the implant) at 60. Does anyone know if this could be the culprit possibly for being so tired. I am also on beta blockers...

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New PM, 1st time, I'm "young"...

I'm 32, had my PM put in a little over a month ago (7/31/13). My HR was consistently very slow, avg'd about 35-40 resting HR. I ran track (sprinter) back in school. I've always been very active, and I'm constantly moving (cleaning, laundry, cooking for family of 6...I have 4 kids. Go, Go, GO!!!

My dr never called me after the procedure. Never had a follow-up. I'd only met him a cpl times. I don't see a cardiologist regularly. I only got the device put in after I was put in ICU overni...

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A brieg period of happines

I know this is off topic isnt even related to ICD-s or heart problems..But i just felt the urge to share with you guys..A girl ive known for 3 years.. we have always been friends..but i had different feelings for her.. And yesterday after having a drink together and driving her home we kissed. My dreams came true..My heart was skipping beats like crazy..My smile wasnt coming off my face.. I stayed up all night thinking about her.. and now.. about 15 minutes ago she sent me a message saying that...

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Wireless USB connection for Merlin@H:ome

Is there more than source for this device? Someone from St Jude recommended a company Integron. Their website doesn't contain much.Their hours are 10: AM to 2: PM. I tried to search for info about this company. They are not BBB registered, and I couldn't find the device in their product catalog. Have no pricing info.

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Sweats and difficult breathing

I can't seem to walk a good distance without breaking out in sweat and having difficulty breathing. Before pm I did sweat a lot when I got around people or in uncomfortable situations. Now it seems to have increased along with the breathing problem especially if I walk a few feet. I had pm put I about a month ago. Any advice would be appreciated

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Dealing with PM Scar

Three weeks post PM implant and wondering what I could use on the scar to help it disappear. Any suggestions for creams etc. Forgot to ask my doctor at check up today.

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quarterly check

Had my regular check this morning. No episodes in the last 4 months, yay! Only 2.3-3.3 left on the battery, boo. This one is only 3.5 yrs old, why can't I be one of those people that lasts forever?!

I printed out the article Inga gave me on vasodilating beta blockers and their lesser affect on metabolism, left it with a note for the NP. She'll call me when she gets it, hoping they'll let me try out bystolic.

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Pre-existing conditions

I am seeing some comments expressing concern about the future of the US health care system and insurance. As an employer who provides the best available insurance to his employees and as a professional required to keep up with these things in order to advise my clients, I refer those of you with questions and concerns to check out www.healthcare.gov . Even though coverage can not yet be applied for (October 1st for January 1st coverage) there is a lot of info available on this site. It is still...

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Getting there 2nd time around. Hi Jean!

Hi all. I am almost 2 wks PO with 2nd PM since June. My first was removed due to infection. I'm recovering much slower this time - Likely from 3 surgeries within a week - removal, closure, new implant. My chest looks like Frankenstein....I had quite a lot of pain to deal with and it still hurts at both sites. It's still early though. Lots of healing still to do. Trying to keep it in perspective- like Donr said "you just got cut open!"

I just wanted to check in and say hello to yo...

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Really anxious

Hi Everyone,

I've been getting sudden bouts of breathlessness and a funny slightly dizzy feeling lately and so my cardiologist had me wearing a small, portable holter monitor for the past 4 weeks. The symptoms disappear as quickly as the come and don't make me feel ill, they are just uncomfortable for a few seconds and then go. Anyway, I had my follow up appointment with him today where they checked my pacemaker (that's all fine, I'm pacing 0.6% of the time and he said the holter did...

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How soon after

implant is the first checkup normally? I had a scheduled appointment on the 10th of October with my EP which was rescheduled to October 30th. I called and reminded the scheduler that I was scheduled for the ablation on the 24th and wondered if the 30th was too soon for the follow up. She checked with the doctor and he said we will need that appointment if I get the PM on the 24th. Is 6 days too long? Too short? Just right? for the first follow up?

And on another note, I am in unchart...

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Photos and blessings

I was just browsing through the photos and I clicked on the very last photo page and what did I see? Some of the most amazing people that I have ever met. There they are all smiles and looking happy and healthy. I could list them by name, but that would be too painful for me. Too many have gone before... So I choose to smile back at them, enjoy their smiles and recall the wonderful advice they shared with me. It kinda makes all the trivial little problems of living seem so small by comparison....

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wrong info

After discussing this with Tracey she suggested I should post this.

I have just finished watching a UK detective programme called Broadchurch. Brilliant except:-

The detective had a heart problem, A Fib and Arrhythmias. In the seventh episode he was asked if there was anything that could be done for him. He replied that they (presumably the cardios) had suggested a pacemaker but they were not sure that he would survive the operation. (Surgery in American).

So...

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Very silly question - spelling/writing

Since my heart attack and defib implant, I seem to have more difficulty writing (by hand). I am also experiencing problems with spelling and I was always the person everyone turned to when they wanted to know how something was spelled.

Anyone else experience this or am I just a little out of focus since all of this happened.

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hi

hi everyone had pm put in july 2 and have been in hospital 3 times with sob before the inolant I was great. my doctor told me there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I asked him which tunnel are you in because mine does not have any doors or windows. we will see

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