Most Recent Messages in General Posting

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Drug interactions

I'm sure there are others here who, like myself, are warfarin users. My primary doc has prescribed 50mg Tramadol 2X daily - for low back pain and arthritis in my left foot. My cardiologist along with the clinics anti-coag lab folks see no issue with using warfarin and Tramadol - altho the Walgreen's pharmacist stated Tramadol MAY increase my INR number. Anyone here have experience with Tramadol/warfarin use?

Thanks,
--Dave--

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New Drug CHF w/ Reduced EF

FDA approved new drug for those of us with CHF and reduced EF. Consider talking to your cardiologist about being put on this new treatment. Begins shipping this week.

It used to be that the major hurdle in getting a new drug approved was successfully completing phase 3 trials – the long-term studies needed to prove to regulators that your drug was both effective and safe. These trials can take years to run and cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Yet, despite doing successful stud...

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New to this

Hi,

I may be getting a pacemaker because of Bradycardia related symptoms. I just thought I had become lazy and forgetful. them the dizziness started. It was almost exhilarating to find out there was something physical causing my symptoms.

Can anyone out there tell me what it is like getting a pacemaker. Does it really improve the quality of life? What types of test should my doctor order to be sure my problem is bradycardia? I have wore the Holter monitor for 48 hours, z...

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Pain, discomfort after surgery

Had a pacemaker/defib implanted in early Feb/2015. No problems for most of the time but in last month or so, site has sometimes felt swollen and tender with occasional twinge of pain. Is this normal?

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Stomach pain & heart block?

Hi there,

My daughter had stomach pain for many months before being diagnosed with 3rd degree AV block and pacemaker implant 2 years ago. She rcvd a single lead pacemaker due to her small artery size but her stomach pain improved, it has never gone away. She had tons of stomach testing. scope and colonoscopy that came back normal. She has grown quite a bit and now needs her pacemaker replaced and new leads put in for dual chamber. I was just curious if anyone has experienced stomac...

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Hi from New Zealand

Hi there,
My 9 year old daughter Keira, has just had her first pacemaker anniversary and we would love to make contact with other wired kids her age.

I, her mum BECS, would love to make contact with other mums of wired kids. We are still relatively new to the pacemaker lifestyle and look forward to hearing from others.

Thanks
Becs

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Cold Sweats & Chest Pain

In February I had endocarditis because my prior pacemaker lead became infected, and in return infected the tricuspid valve of the heart. I had to have open heart surgery to fix the valve, and have the leads removed. I now have a dual chamber rate responsive Medtronic Pacemaker with the leads attached to the outside of the heart. Now, during simple exercise I break out into a profuse cold sweat, and experience sharp chest pain. These symptoms quickly subside upon resting. Has anyone experienced s...

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Heart Starts Racing

Whenever I do any activity that jiggles my pacemaker (jog, wash armpit while showering, shake a bottle of dressing, etc.) my heart begins racing to over 100 bpm. Slows down after 1-2 minutes, but quite disconcerning. Pacing is set at 63 bpm. Anyone else had this issue? Diagnosis?

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Morbid Questions

Like many of us, I had little warning or preparation prior to receiving a pacemaker. Now at 3 months, I have many questions and maybe this has been discussed before I joined, so please forgive me if this is tiresome for long duration PM-ears.

When you die, the PM keeps on going, right? Do they remove the unit before burial? Can your PM go with you if you elect cremation? Do they ever recycle components?

What is the usual interval between implantation and check up with...

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Finally Home!

I had my dual lead Medtronic pm implanted early Wednesday morning and I was just discharged this morning, Saturday. I did not expect that. Apparently I have very small vein and it was a challenge to get the leads in. Then I was told that my collarbone is shaped differently and the EP had to try to fit the pm in. After the abuse of trying to get the leads in my heart was "irritated" and I had difficulty breathing. They gave IV meds for that and also IV antibiotic. I definitely do NOT feel l...

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A Great Read

I just began a great read: "A Man after His Own Heart" by Charles Siebert (A true story)

"Somewhere on this earth tonight, somewhere, I believe, not very far from me, there is a person whose heart I’ve touched. A person whose heart I’ve held in my hand. . . .

So begins A Man After His Own Heart, an extraordinary narrative by acclaimed author, essayist, and poet Charles Siebert on that most elusive of topics--the human heart. On a rainy December night one recent winter,...

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do's and dont's

pm implanted person's what about DO'S and DONT'S

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help

Good day to everyone! I need youlls help please im a lityle worried. Tomorrow ill be going to my cardiologists/arrythmia specialist for the first visit after my procedure. Today itll be 9 days since my St Jude Dual Chamber Pacemaker procedure aland everyrhing had been going fine and was looking forward for tomorrows apointment to get my stitches removed. However this morning i woke and saw my body full with red bumps, i called cardiologists and i was told to go to my primary dr, so i did only to...

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coffee

Having a coffee with a friend today, ended up in hospital, they said the coffee had caused my heart to race, which caused the collapse, kept me in all day, bloods X ray all ok, has this happened to anyone else.

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support group in NJ?

Hi,

I'm new and wanted to find out if there are any groups in Northern New Jersey (around Essex County)

Thanks,
Atia

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Pneumonia and flu vaccines and shots

Hi,

Has anyone (I'm 54) with a pacemaker for heart block (and no other health issues) been advised to have any jabs, vaccines or shots for pneumonia, flu or shingles (or anything else)?

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Wonderful Arrhythmia Blog

Inga has a wonderful arrhythmia blog going for people like us! Go check out my Micra story and all of the other great, fantastic stuff she has posted for us! Such a wonderful site and so well put together! Thank you Inga!!!

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Registration

Registering at the hospital.

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Thank you!

Well tomorrow is the "big day". I'm scheduled to get my pacemaker bright and early in the morning. I am SO grateful for this site. I have spent hours on here reading past posts. Because of you I was encouraged to call the cardiologist this morning and get some questions answered. I now know that I have neurocardiogenic syncope. I probably spelled that wrong! My heart has been stopping when I pass out and last week it stopped for 31 seconds. I didn't even know my diagnoses until the call t...

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Medtronic easycare

Hi, has anyone neen issued these for use at home. I am in uk, just been given one.

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You know you're wired when...

You play MP3 files on your pacer.

Member Quotes

I have an ICD which is both a pacer/defib. I have no problems with mine and it has saved my life.