Most Recent Messages in General Posting

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Sick of it!!!

If I could I would rip this PM out!! Doesn't it just make you sick when you feel terrible with symptoms (again) but the PM techs say "your PM is working fine". Well, I don't feel fine!

Once again they tell me the PM is fine. I've had several "battles" now where I've had to really fight to get them to listen.....& I've been right each time. We know our bodies.
I've had a terrible encounter today with the pacing people & am just sick of it. I almost walked out of the waiting room,...

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Living With A Pacemaker

Living With A Pacemaker

Hi & Welcome.

I've noticed a lot of new members recently and when I first received my pacemaker in 2004 I had a zillion questions. I found this article and I post it from time to time as I found it helped me a lot. It's a long read, but full of really good information.

If I remember correctly, I got it either from WebMD or the Mayo Clinic website. Like I mentioned - It's a long read, but it just might help you feel a bit better :)

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To Stormymw

How are you feeling??? I was/am concerned about your chest pain. Please don't ever hesitate to go to the ER. It's always better to go and find out what is wrong versus sitting home and arguing with yourself if you should go in or not. That is what the ER is for and so many times there can be minor complications after pacemaker surgery and it would be best to catch it sooner rather than later.

If I hadn't gone in to the ER 2 days after my initial implant I wouldn't be here today....

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Awesome

Awesome ---- That is exactly how I feel since coming back and hearing from a lot of my "old" friends...and hoping to make some new ones too. I guess a lot of us were shaken or shocked or whatever adjective you care to use when we learnt about Blue's & Frank's passing. I know it rocked my very foundation. Shortly after they passed I also lost my best friend to cancer (last month) and then my Uncle from Alzheimer's( last summer). 2013 was NOT a good year for me (emotionally) so I knew I just...

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General question

Newbie here. Medtronic Sensia implanted 01 May 2014. Are there any cardiologists that follow these posts? Or are mostly all the answers based on experiences or guestimations?

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better safe than sorry :)

Hey it's me AGAIN :/ Ok so I got my implant 5 days ago and I've been having a Sudden Sharp stabbing pain in the center of my chest it started yesterday and just happened again and now I feel my pacemaker tapping and Although I'm sitting down I feel a little dizzy? I guess if it continues maybe I need to go into the ER although I REALLY don't want to do that.

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Out of work

Doc telling me I can go back to work two weeks post pm implantation but cannot drive for four weeks. 4 weeks seems a long time. I cannot get to work without driving.. cannot get kid to school without driving........ how long is the normal driving restriction. BTW: I am in NY

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caffeine and heartbeat

anyone bothered by caffeine and rapid heartbeat? 2 weeks out of crt-d and heart rate has been between 60-75. great. but today i was out and had a diet coke ( not caffeine free as i normally drink)and i think i feel it. beats up to 100.

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carrer help

the most difficult process of this is not knowing what will happen on may 30th i was never symptomatic i could lose my cdl

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Curiosity on settings

I was just curious as to what others low/high settings are.... I'm set at 60-120. I go for my next interrogation Wednesday, and am considering asking for my low rate to be bumped up. For the most part, I feel good with my settings. I am able to exercise, but require to take more breaks. I am okay with this, as overall I feel my quality of life has greatly improved. I do suffer from fatigue, and was wondering if bumping my low rate up to 70 would be beneficial, or if that would just create an ent...

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Nervous Sytem and Arrhythmias

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of the relationship between the autonomic nervous system and arrhythmias?
My doctors concluded that I had sick sinus syndrome and installed a pacemaker late last year. Soon after, I exhibited anxiety problems and had to take diazepam (Valium) to manage. At present, the heart appears to operate on its own (last check: PM used 7%), and blood pressures and heart rate are normal. However, without Valium a slight anxiety attack can lead to arrhythmia...

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Tasers and Police

There have been several YouTube videos showing the police tasering people all of a sudden. One that really upset me was that they tasered a blind man because they thought that his white cane was a sword. What I want to find out is how tasers would be on someone with a pacemaker? And, HOW could we protect ourselves? Often the police act first, and then investigate the situation later (after the taser has been used). If you think that it couldn't happen to you - I bet that blind man thought the s...

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Patient Management System?

I received my CRT-D device on 23 April 2014 and have had my first follow up visit with the electro-cardiologist on 9 May 2014. The doctor did not inform me that I was a part of a patient Management System. I have since received two large boxes of instruments from Boston Scientific , including a "communicator" which queries my CRT-D and calls the data in to database. There are also a blood pressure monitor and a body weight scale which also report to the database. I do not know what else is on it...

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lost job and insurance

I have a defibrillator and home transmitter. I am being laid off 59 years old and don't know how to go about finding an insurance through the Affordable Healthcare coverage that I can afford with no job. The doctor needs to be a participant of St. Judes defib and transmitter. Any information will be appreciated. Thanks

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drinking

Hi i'm a longlasting persistant a-fib patient who the dr said it is all alcohol related. I've had 9 cardioverts and am going for an AV node ablation and i guess a pacemaker. I haven't drank for two years, I was just wondering if anyone has been this particular route and then started drinking again, i would love a beer!

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Who sent a Pvt Msg?

It's my turn, now. Just found an e-mail notice of a Pvt Msg.

Now = 1925 EST.

Like Old Mother Hubbard, I went to the cupboard & it was bare.

Donr

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How Long?

How long should it take to feel better? My understanding was that once implanted you should feel better immediately, but between the procedure and the 5 hour trip to the ER and the pain and feeling like every ounce of energy has been sucked out of me I feel so useless Like what is the freaking point? I thought I heard peple were back at work after only 2 days??? I just want to go back to bed and sleep and it's been 3 days. I''m wondering why did I even bother with the surgery? I feel so alone an...

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question about pm

I've had my pm since 2010 and at first when the doc. checked it I was at 1% of usage. Next time (3 months later) I was at 30% usage. Should I be worried?

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ID alert and MRI

Took a little spill last week when I was out running. Kind persons hauled my body off the road and called an ambulance when the bleeding wouldn't stop. I hit hard enough to knock the race cuff off my wrist, with my phone and house key. No ID, insurance card, or pm card. Why would I take those on a run? I think a road ID is a good idea if you don't have an MRI compatible pm. I was still bleeding in the ER, couldn't see through the blood and my glasses got wrecked. They took me to imaging and as d...

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Meds?

New ICD. Will I be on meds forever? Asked Dr. but no answer yet. Was cleaning the yard today and fell sun burnt. Out there 4 hours. Might have to sell my ski boat?

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You know you're wired when...

You are always wired and full of energy.

Member Quotes

I'm 43 and have had my pacemaker four weeks today. I'm looking forward to living another 50 years and this marvelous device inside me will help me do that.