Most Recent Messages in General Posting

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Going to Mars with your PM????

Several times, I've discussed how "Hard" the guts of our PM/ICD's are. I always mention that we have the same technology as the guidance computers of the latest rover sent to Mars. I've seen this animation before on YouTube, but forgot where it is. Well, it came floating into my IN BOX a few days ago, so since a photo is worth a thousand words, thought I'd pass the link on to you all so you can SEE what I mean, rather than trying to visualize my myriad of words.

If any of you think...

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Hello from Newbie

Hello! I'm excited to have found this group and such a wealth of information. I'm an active 52y/o female who received my DL/RR pacemaker 8 days ago for bradycardia/ SSS. I have had 5 ablations and 3 cardioversions for tachycardias over the past 20 yrs. The slow rhythms began less than 2 yrs ago, so I have had much to adjust to and learn since then. My father (now deceased ) had a single lead PM and then a DL w/ defibrillator. Due to that, I wasn't fearful of the PM surgery/recovery and was mo...

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getting zapped

How many times have you been zapped by your defib and not needed it? My 5 year old St. J device has whacked me twice each incident involved 3 discharges. First time had a bad lead that was sending false signals the ventricle lead was only 3 yrs. old since day one pacer tech did not like the impedance on that wire. Just last week I was moving some snow and it went off so I stopped 2 min. later it went off again I was doing nothing just standing there Then sat down in truck, and told the young ma...

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Visibility

Well, i found out on my 52 birthday that I needed a pacemaker with defibulator. I am already retired/diabled because of rheumatoid arthritis. I try to stay in shape, but I am a little vain. Will my device be visible? I am 6'1", 235 lb...not fat, but far from skinny.

Steve

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pacemaker confusion

ok ,im actually doing this for my aunt who just had a pacemaker put in last week on the 5th,back in oct she had open heart surgery ,with a valve replacement and 2 bypasses , then this ,she in our eyes is doing great but she says she just does'nt feel right ,she says that every once in awhile she gets light headed while sitting and then has a couple of hot flashes,has anyone had this happen to them ,she is 78 yo ,and its rough trying to get her to understand that shes doing great ,that it will...

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Boston Sci. monitor

Well, the call from area code 412 came and this time message machine turned off. Seems that it wasn't the call that I thought was going to read my monitor. It rang 5 times and then I had message on caller ID that read "missed message".
Any ways I have a appointment this A.M. with pacer lab to loop check my pacer. Since I have had the monitor set up for 3 1/2 weeks (my son in law is an electrician and he said that it is set up in the right sequence) and no call has come through it do a chec...

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Boston Sci. Latitude Monitor.

Had my pacer lab today and asked about the monitor. She said that the monitor cannot GET calls from a modem of another computer. That the data that is in my PM stores data and sends to her around early morning hours. I don't even have to be around the monitor as it will retrieve the data when ever I AM around it. Hmmm... I wonder then who the person is that is trying to call here from area code 412. Now I can turn the Message Machine back on and never will find out!

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MASTECTOMY

I have had both breast removed because of cancer, 5 month ago I had to get a pacemaker, it continues to hurt and swell , could this be because of the lack of lymph notes and tissue from the other surgery

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Weight Gain/Beta Blockers

It's taking some time for me to gain more energy after my PM surgery 3 months ago. Before my surgery I was doing pretty good slowly bringing my weight down from 167 to 152 (I am 5'8", 73 yr. old female). But, I have gained 6 lbs. in the last three months following surgery. I know I have to work harder at trying to resume the level of exercise I was doing before, but wonder if weight gain is a typical post surgical situation and whether this might be a side effect of the Beta Blockers I am...

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Paraspinal emg and pacemaker?

Does anyone know if Paraspinal Electromyleogram is safe with pacemakers? I just haf my first chiropractic visit and asked it not be done just in case it might be a problem. Any feedback on this is much appreciated.

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hey

so my mom was supposed to be wearing a heart monitor vest and it helps keep her heart from get to beating to fast till her surgery date the 19th since she didnt will this cause any complications in her surgery

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Lightning

I know from reading previous posts that you are not MORE likely to be hit by lightning with a pm, but I was wondering what happens to the pm if you ARE struck by lightning. Is it fried and needs to be replaced immediately? Just wondering, because a storm is forecast in the next few days in my area.

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Will You Have An Attack in Ten Years?

Answer questions in the following to forecast your chances for an attack in the next ten years; Mine is One in Seven..

http://heart.arizona.edu/heart-health/prevent-heart-attacks/risks

Distributed by the University of Arizona.

Age is a big factor, as well as weight and other medical factors.

Azviking

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Still light headed

It's been a week since my PM insertion, still feeling light headed, also when i check my pulse it seems to be running around 80. They said it was set at 60, my rate before was in the mid to low 40's, i was diagnosed with SSS. Does it take your heart time to adjust to the leads? (being a foreign body) I also feel flutters as well. I really appreciate everybodys input! A great site, i'm an RN and feel really dumb! :)

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Muscle Twitches 2-3 times in Morning

I had my PM inserted about a week ago and I've been very careful about following the instructions not to lift my arm or use it for lifting. I admit I'm probably being over-cautious about it but that's not really what's worrying me. The way the doc explained it was that I have to be careful that the muscle on the PM side of the chest doesn't move too much because it could pull the leads loose.

What has me concerned is that in the morning when I first wake up and stretch a bit, I avoid...

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Just wanted to say hi!

Hey everyone! I hope all is well! I'm Nicole, 20 years old and I'll be celebrating my three year pacemaker anniversary this weekend! I had an account on this site back when I was 17 and just having surgery for my pacemaker. It helped me in a lot of ways to not be as afraid and to think positively. I eventually stopped using this site because I had no more concerns or questions, but now I'm back because I'd love to talk to people who may need some advice! Maybe someone who is younger or anyone wh...

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New pacemaker soon

I just joined and am very glad to find this site. I am due very soon to receive a new pacemaker. I'm on a monthly check now. I received my first on Nov 1, 1972, so this is far from being my first. In the past year, I have been diagnosed with A Fib. Right now I have a dual lead, but will go to a single lead. My problem is the I have three leads in one vein and the newest are 24 years old. He talked to me about lasering them out, but at my age, 73, he doesn't want to take the risk. I guess, I am...

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Using a push mower

Even though it is the dead of winter, I look forward to Spring in Oklahoma! Of course Summer will follow and there will be grass to cut, and at my house, it's my job to mow the lawn. My question is, can a pm recipient use a push mower? I realize the leads on the pm will be "anchored" as they will ever get by then, but will the vibration of the mower cause any problems for the pacemaker?

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Boston Sci. monitor

Thank You 'Artist, WillieG and Revelation. We live out in the boons and had to do some jerry rigging to set up computer and re-do our one landline phone system. If the same as 'Revelation' and the "Interrogator" modem calls on a Monday only then I will have to wait until then to find that it was having the message machine on all the time that may have been the problem. We will see. Again thanx to all! Will keep you posted.

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Boston Sci. Latitude "communicator"

Thank you to those who replied to my post regarding Boston Science Latitude Monitor.
I think that my problem was because I had my message machine turned on and the "toll free" number is from them trying to "reach" communicator". I have now turned off my message machine. I will not know for sure if that was the problem until that "toll free area code 412 trys again and I will not pick up but see if it communicates with the "communicator".
I have another PC lab appointment on Friday mor...

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My ICD/pacer is not a burden. I still play tennis and golf.