Most Recent Messages in General Posting

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One year ago

Hard to believe it's been one year since I got my little buddy. Time does fly.

I tend to reminisce on anniversaries and have been thinking about what I was going through a year ago at age 58. Short version is that in a few weeks I went from being fairly active to my HR dropping into 40's and 50's, very SOB and legs in cement. Good news was I found out that my plumbing and heart were "excellent" (my cardio's words). Then had the PM installed. At that time I had no idea what had...

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Hi all

Hope everyone is doing good. Been sometime from my last post. Really nothing new other then some more meds. They are throwing everything on the shelf at me. It's getting to the point that I had just about enough. Feeling like a yoyo really blows the big on.

Next week I will be heading back to New Orleans. Lab work, Echo scan and Dr appointment.

They have no answer as to why my magnesium and potassium. has been running very very low. Even after I take a load of both of them...

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Is This Normal and/or Should I Report This?

It seems that when I do strenuous yard work, I sort of kick off an entire day with goofy rhythms. I try to rest during my yard binges once I realize that something's happening but it seems like I never "reset" to something more normal. I am usually having a lot of PVCs and that sort of thing which is apparently nothing to worry about. But this is different.

On Monday, should I do a CareLink download to my cardiologist's office or should I just figure that this is the way my life...

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Mammograms?

Quick question. Doing really well almost 5 months post PM placement (dual chamber). Due for mammogram this summer. Any infotmation on safety/problems or alternatives welcomed. No better place to come for information than here. BTY, I am 68 years old. Thanks. Jeanie

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Mammograms?

Quick question. Doing really well almost 5 months post PM placement (dual chamber). Due for mammogram this summer. Any infotmation on safety/problems or alternatives welcomed. No better place to come for information than here. BTY, I am 68 years old. Thanks. Jeanie

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Jackie Caylor poetry

Anyone interested in reading any more of my poetry go to poetry poem.com and look for Jackie Caylor should be some interesting reading. Going for my Cardiac ablation July 11 wish me luck

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Rate Response and bicycling

Hi all. I'm 10 mo PO with PM due to Bradycardia and chronotropic incompetence. I have rate response and minute ventilation sensors. I have trouble with sob and muscle exhaustion when bicycling. I find myself constantly yawning for O2. My heart rate doesn't want to go up on its own so I deliberately huff and puff, or pump my arm to try to raise my heart rate. I wonder if changing the settings to a more aggressive response would help. Any advice? Thanks!

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info for a newbie

I have only had my pacemaker two months and find myself falling into a deep depression. I have always been the incurable optimist, the one who was there to cheer everyone else up. Now I find myself avoiding people, crying over nothing (never did this before) and to be honest I don't really care about tomorrow. Is it the pacemaker or just me?

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did i need a pm

Hi all.

I had my 12 month interrogation today. All was fine. I was told i have atrial pacing of 0.6% and ventricular pacing of 7.4%. As this is low compared to a lot of you on here, my question is other than i feel better than before the pm .... Did i really need it?
I realise to have any percentage i must have used it but would i of coped without one.

Thanks x

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jump in resting rate after implant

Hi All ...

Background: About five weeks ago, I had a pacemaker implanted when I had pauses of 7 and 4 seconds. Whether or not I really needed it, I got convinced and it is in there. It does not seem to be pacing me very often.

My question: Before implantation, my resting pulse rate was 50-60. Now that I have the pacemaker, my resting pulse rate is 88-95.

Today, I went into see the electrophysiologist who implanted the pacemaker and a Medtronic tech for a ch...

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Pulse rate 45

Last night I was driving home extemely fatigued with a pulse of 45. I posted previously with my ranges and most comments from you good folks were at this time I wasnt likely a candidate for PM. I am going for a third opinion soon. My rte does drop to 40 while sleeping. To be honest I am terrified about what Im going thru. One doc says Im fine another wants to install a pacemaker{cardiologist} It also doesnt help that this hospital below is where I was diagnosed

Surgeon Accused of Impl...

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worried

Hi I'm new to this site, I've been diagnosed with 3rd degree heart block and going for my pacemaker today. I work in an open plan office with lots of computers. Will the pacemaker be affected?
Should I change my diet and lifestyle? If so can someone advice on how I should adjust.

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Not sure where to start getting pacemaker

Hi there I am Wendy and I am 31 and mum if 2 young children. (1 and 3) today I have been told I will need a pacemaker and they will fit it end of July. I live in the uk. Now I think as time goes by I will have a few questions but my first question is.... What happens with pacemaker when asleep.

Little bit about my problem. I have syncope but my heart is fine I have got a neurological problem the specialist said. When my blood pressure drops my hr drops as well during tilt it went as...

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Whats happened so far

Hi all been a while since I posted my first message asking for help all the messages were a massive help and much appreciated so thanks.

I am bit further down the road now been signed off work now coming in to my third month so getting bored at home not able to drive or use machines so work is not a option. I have had my table tilt test and CT head scan all came back ok which was a relief. Had my Cardiac MRI scan and got most of the results by letter they are saying there are no signs...

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Chest Ache

Hello Again :) Well I am now 4 1/2 weeks Post-op and 3 1/2 weeks since they had to remove and reposition one of my leads. After 3 trips to the ER with no answers I went over to Seattle to Virginia Mason Hospital and they diagnosed pericarditis and prescribed 800 mg of Ibuprofin 3 times a day.When I told the local surgeon he acted like he didn't think it was ??? So I haven't been real strict about taking the ibuprofin but when I feel the sharp pain I take it. Now the past couple days I haven't ta...

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PM popped out of "pocket"!

Hi from Alaska! I've had my St Jude PM for CRT since Jan 2012. No problems. All checks have been "normal". Last week the PM popped out of the sub-cutaneous pocket and I didn't even think I just pushed it back in. then I panicked and called medical clinic. They saw me later that day & said not to worry -- I have lost weight (quite a bit in the chest/breasts) so if happens several more times I might have to have PM stitched in. Sure was a surprise the first time hope it doesn't happen again!

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Rate Response Causing Tachacardia

Initially PM was implanted for Heart Block. Seven months later, after noticing exercise intolerance when trying to run, I was diagnosed with SSS. I failed the treadmill test (after reaching 130 BPM my heart rate suddenly dropped to 80). The doctor turned my rate response on to pace me up to 130. After rate response was turned on, I began to have episodes of higher heart rate often triggered by exercise. Sometimes when I was at rest my heart rate would be in the high nineties (usually I am in th...

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Service Dogs

Does anyone have or know of a place that has service (alert) dogs that alert to changes in heart rate? I am looking to casually explore that option

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Vt/Av Node Ablation

I am awaiting to have the above procedure done but could anyone advise me how soon I would be able to fly after having this done.I had expected to have it done sooner and booked a holiday which could mean flying three weeks after having it done-it is only a two and a half hour flight but the surgeon said he will be making three incisions-one in each groin and one outside near my heart so he can have a detailed look at the outside area.He said it could take 6-8 hours so just wondered how well you...

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uncertain

I am in my early 70s and am active. Recently, being short of breath, I had a 24 hour heart monitor. It shows that during the daytime I’m quite normal, but at nighttime I had two 5+ pauses in my heartbeat. I have seen my family doctor and have a referral for a cardiologist. Before seeing him, I was wonder if someone can give me any input re. the above and whether a pacemaker might be necessary. As of now, I am functioning normally and don’t have any feeling of fainting, but sometimes feel sh...

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Member Quotes

My pacemaker has ultimately saved mine and my unborn child’s life for which I am thankful.