Most Recent Messages in General Posting

Post Message!

Video showing PM surgery

Hi Everyone,

I found this interesting 6 minute video on YouTube showing PM surgery. I think it's pretty good and really shows what the procedure is like. I found it after my surgery and wasn't sure at first if I could watch it but I did and it has a little blood but nothing too horrible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNN4Fw2EWxI&feature=share

Hope everyone is doing well!
Take care,
~Sheila

Read More...

I'm full of questions.

I am going in for my first interrogation since the one week check up after my pacemaker was implanted. I am still feeling tired and lethargic at times. My pm is set at 50 low and 185 high. I'm thinking about asking them to turn it up to 60 in hopes that it helps with my symptoms.I have a conginital 3rd degree heart block and I'm pacing 100% of the time. I know everone is different and I will have to find my settings. I just wanted to know what other people are set at and what worked and didn't...

Read More...

Confused patient

Several months ago, I began to feel short of breath and unusually tired. I am 72 years old and quite active – swimming and biking every day. I went to my family doctor and was sent for several tests, the last being a Holter monitor for 24 hours. The follow day after I did the Holter, I received a call from the lab analyzing the results. The technician told me to go immediately to the emergency ward. The results showed pauses of 5.20 and 5.24 at night. After being in the hospital for 3 days, th...

Read More...

New PM due to VS.

Hello all. I got my new dual chamber PM just four days ago. I like to say HI and wish that I can gather more information in this new lifestyle. I was installed due to Vasovagal Syncope. I have been having fainting episodes since high school, and it has gotten more frequent when I started working. At first, we all thought it's stress related, and did all work up, EEG, MRI, 2D echo. Until I fainted again last week (8 months after the last one) Then did the TTT 3 days after which I completely went...

Read More...

2nd Pacer in and going for next round of IVF

Hi All!

I'm two-weeks post-op, receiving my second dual-chamber Pacemaker! Next week we are starting Clomid for ovulation boost and egg-retrieval and hopefully, by the end of June, we will be expecting our second child. Hold thumbs! I'll keep you posted! :) xoxo

Read More...

pacemaker replacement

Thanks so much for the answer to my question about how I am feeling now that my pacemaker has reached the EOL stage. It explains why I am so tired. You said the key to checking on this is my pulse which is indeed now in the 60s. I don't know what I would do without you guys. DD

Read More...

Did anyone else

Develop acid reflux after getting their pacemaker? I got my pacemaker last month on 4/25 for a congenital complete heart block 3rd degree. It started a couple of weeks ago. When I lay down at night I get it or I wake up with it. It's pretty much every night. It's pretty mild and not painful ir anything. It's just a little strange. I certainly don't want any damage to my throat. Has anyone else had this and happen? If so did it go away or did you have to start medicaton to get rid of it?

Read More...

.... sex?

I dont have a pacemaker but I didn't know where else to turn to.. my boyfriend recently just gotten a pacemaker we're only in our 20's and well... engage in sexual intercourse. How/what can I do to make him more comfortable? Not so much just physically but also emotionally. I don't look at him anything less then the man I met and loved. I just dont think he feels the same anymore. Aside from us making love, I want him to feel better about this.. any in put?

Read More...

Nurse

I am new to this side of PMs. Is there anyone with a PM who is a working RN?

Read More...

adventure race report

I completed my first adventure race on Saturday. It was insane and possibly the most physically challenging thing I've ever done - way harder than the 5k! - but a lot of fun. My team finished last, but we DID finish :) It was about 2 miles of running with stations and obstacles along the way, like a baby mudder but without the mud. Not sure if I'll do it again, but it was fun and I'm glad I went.

Read More...

The difference a day makes!

I woke up hungry this morning!! After not wanting to eat for 9 days since pm I had a piece of toast, and so far so good... Doesn't sound like much but I consider this a major step in healing! Thanks for the encouragement and support the last few weeks, it's been a roller coaster ride, to say the least.

Read More...

Paranoia

A little humour (just a little)!
"I was walking down the street when this man hammering on his roof called me a paranoid little freak... In morse code."
Courtesy of........
- Emo Phillips (comedian)

Read More...

Feeling Good

10 days post 1st implant. Feeling really good. No pain, HR been above 50, which is great. Starting to think the worst thing about getting the PM was the 2 weeks I had to wait to get it. I went for a 3 mile walk yesterday and had no issues. My Doc said I had to make sure I did not swing my arm and to wear my sling when i speed walk so I don't forget and start swinging it. I guess if wearing it allows me to get back out walking and doing races then I am I will wear it. Tuesday my walking group doe...

Read More...

Helllooooooo

Just popped in to say hello. No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth... just living in Kansas. Heart seems to be doing fine, business is doing great and I feel better than I have in a very long time. Of course I have had some struggles along the way, but I have developed a new outlook about my life. I try very hard to follow what I think I should be doing. My yearly cardiac check-up is coming up and I will have to explain that I will not be taking the beta blocker anymore. It just pl...

Read More...

Just venting

Hi everyone, I was told about a month ago that I needed a pacemaker after fainting in the Gym (my EP study showed slow Sinus node and AV wenckebach). Today was supposed to be the day of the implant. I psychologically prepared myself for it. I arranged for time off at work. I fasted. I arrived at the hospital on time at 6:45am. I waited. At 9am they told me they didn't have enough beds and would have to reschedule my angiogram!!! I said "what angiogram?"... ooops, the doctor didn't bother to read...

Read More...

a-fib & PM

Can a PM of any kind stop a fib & also control A low heat beat?

Read More...

pounding heart

I had a pacemaker implanted two months ago. The reason was a Mobitz 2 heart block.After A number of ups and downs my pacemaker now seems to be very well-adjusted, And I feel good and seem to be up exercise as vigorously as I want. My right ventricle is being paced one hundred percent of the time.
I have two questions:
1. I experience that I can feel my heart beating all the time now, but before my pacemaker was implanted I would have to be very quiet and relaxed to feel my heartbeat.I...

Read More...

How much longer

So cardiologist says all is good with pm implant. He has no clue why is am so sick. Fever gone but now I can't keep anything down. I have zero appetite. I have lost 8 lbs in a week. I will be seeing my Primary on Tuesday. Hoping just some hospital bug I picked up and all will be better soon. I have no strength to do anything yet. I want test out "thumper" but am still too sick to do anything. No hotdogs on Memorial Day for me!

Read More...

Exercising may be bad for you?

I am mystified by this. It all started after I read the posting by Tic Tock-UK, below:

http://www.pacemakerclub.com/public/jpage/1/p/story/a/storypage/sid/31653/content.do

I love running, no marathons though, my favourite distance is 10K. I entered many races and I often run that distance just for enjoyment.
About 20 years ago during a routine check up I was told that my EKG showed a small abnormality but it was probably due to my exercising and nothing to worry about....

Read More...

BATTERY LOW

My biventricular cardiac resynchronisation pacemaker will shortly reach elective replacement mode. Is it OK for the hospital not to replace the pacemaker at this point and to leave me heading rapidly towards end of life mode. I have had it for 7 1/2 years. I also have an AV node ablation and have no rescue rhythym or residual pacing. Any replies gratefully recieved. A bit worried Peter.

Read More...

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker receives radio frequencies.

Member Quotes

Pacemakers are very reliable devices.