Most Recent Messages in General Posting

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New pacemaker

Just got my pacemaker 3 days ago and have a question a dumb question is it normal to still be out of breath this close to the insertion date?  Also have been told I have high anxiety. 

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Going to bite the bullet - PM procedure tomorrow!

After three months with tachycardia and a-flutter, and frustration with meds and worse luck with cardiologists - I have decided to get a pacer. This forum has given me a lot of confidence, so thank you. 

I am 86, had a mitral valve replacement in 2010 and a MAZE procedure. I have been in sinus rhythm up until Jan 2017. I was over medicated by my doctor, went into Brady, then undermedicated - had a fast heart for 6 weeks (120-140) on 240mg Diltiazem and 25 metropolo, I was. NOT...

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Time zones

Hi everyone! We are planning a trip to Europe this summer and I'm wondering if the pacemaker updates the time automatically like cell phones in different time zones? 

The question comes to my mind since I had a setting changed during the nightime to save battery's lifetime while I'm asleep. Since there is a 6 hour difference , would this affect how the pacemaker works while traveling? E.g. While awake and active in Europe I would normally be sleeping back home.&nbs...

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In Denial

I'm 52.  Bradycardia for at least 25 years.  Avid runner since 15 years old.  Diagnosed in the past with either type 1 block or type 2 / Mobitz 1 -- I can't recall b/c last time I saw cardiologist was at least 10 years ago, when I needed clearance for minor knee surgery.  I have no symptoms at all. My present resting heart rate is in the low 30s.  I was recently scheduled for minor procedure, but due to low heart rate, doc wanted cardiac clearan...

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involuntary muscle spasms

Just joined this site and glad it exists.  I had a St. Jude pacemaker installed about 3 years ago after my second open heart surgery to repair mitral valve.

After a short time I began experiencing involuntary muscle spasms and was diagnosed by a neurologist as having restless ARM syndrome. I experienced this annoyance for 3 years. I complained to the doctors and they said the appliance was functioning properly.

This monday I had my pacemaker changed...

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Pacemaker Symptoms

Hi everybody, 

I received my first PM in 2002. In 2014 I received my second device. In 2003 I experienced the same problems as I am experiencing right now, 2 1/2 yrs later after receiving the second PM. I feel funny in my stomach, lightheaded and faint. This lasts for up to 10 seconds and fades away over the next minute or so. 

Did anybody out there experienced the same and what was the outcome?

Thanks, Guenter

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Taking the fear out of what comes next

Hi, i had a PM inserted last week after a full stage 3 block due to a RBBB failure - i live in South Africa and although care is excellent, information is lacking. especially post-op. I also dont revisit my cardilogist for 6 weeks so i am stuck in the dark a bit. Can i please ask as a team of members to just clarify some fears. Also perhaps the sum of the answers could be put into a small guide of wht to expect - right at the beginning of this amazing site - i understand that all people are d...

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Thanks for your comments

 My wife went to the doctor the same day she had the incident.  The doctor showed us on the monitor wish you had flatlined and where the device shocked her back. I discovered the Burn mark Under the Merlin at a later date. I always tied the two together.  I guess I was wrong.  I have a new opinion about the pacemaker.  I am very grateful that it brought with my wife back.  Without it I would be alone and lost. My wife is my best friend and we...

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CRT-D Rocks

My first post on here since CRT-D implant 18 months ago.

Back then following MI in Singapore I was diagnosed with LBBB, QRS width > 150, not a great deal of movement on the WM index, and LVEF of 20%. I had 4 stents fitted immediately.

Four months later I had Biotronik CRT-D fitted and immediately felt better.

Coming up to date, three weeks ago another echo showed,”An excellent improvement in LV function to near normal levels”, and apparently my heart is back t...

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av node abaltion

Hi All!

After exhausting many options, I'm having an av node ablation on Wednesday.....alttile nervous but I need my life back. Tired of being tired.....I know alot of you can relate.  I already have a pacemaker, so that's one part I don't have to deal with. My post op abaltions weren't too bad....I now everyone is different, but is about the same with post op from the AV Node abaltion? Just tired and chest soreness?

 

S.

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A Celebration

I am very blessed and thankful. Fifty (50) years ago this week I had my first pacemaker implanted. I was at Children's Hospital in Denver Colorado. Back then it was open heart surgery with a 3 week stay in the hospital. . I am 100 percent dependant. Since then I have had many replacements, as the first ones lasted only 2 years. Through the years with technology they last longer and longer and have advance so much. I've been extremely blessed and watched over, as I have never had any c...

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Hope

Hello everyone,

 

I wanted to share this with all of you, awesome people.
Three years ago, I recieved and implant of a Boston Scientific pacemaker, 2 Leads and tons of unknowns answers of why that was happening to me. 41years old at that time, fitness personal trainer, healthy otherwise.

I had symptoms on a Sunday morning and a hearbeat of 30bps by the evening whey I arrived to the emergency room.
The following Wednesday I was going home, with my new frie...

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Interrogation

Have not had the PM interrogated in over a year due to living in Thailand. I have to go to Singapore for interrogation but not sure of how much it is going to cost. I will get 100% reimbursement from VA. 

I feel fine but have noticed some abnormal shocking.

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Can Sun Affect the Pacemaker Site?

I've had my pacemaker for just over 2 years and for a number of reasons I've not had chance to get away for a holiday until now. Since I shall be off to warm climate for a couple of weeks I was wondering if the sun can cause a reaction at the pacemaker site and whether it needs to be kept protected from the sun.

Thanks,

Shaun.

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Odd feeling

I read a lot of posts and answer some, this time I have an issue. I've had a st Jude 2 lead pacer for 7 yrs, bradycardia, top paces 95% upper, 1% lower, have a remote Merlin system, send interrogation every 3 months.

below my pm, I periodically (just recently) , get a vibration/ like a zzzzz feeling? Not really a shock.

has this happened to anyone else?

thx Finn

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Finally...

Since discovering my shiny new CRT-D has a potentially defective lithium ion battery, I believe they bought all the spare ones from Samsung and the hoverboard manufacturers, that can fail unexpectedly, I have been anxiously awaiting the Merlin monitor to help give advance warning of battery failure, before I fail. Day after day I watch the post and delivery trucks go by and no sign of the potentially life saving monitor. 2 weeks and still no signs. Further building on my anxiety is the fact m...

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New here and freaking out

Hi. I am Windy and like I said I'm New to the site. I found it after an issue tonight then researching it a little. I got my PM in Aug 2014 due to Bradycardia...I'm 42. I freaked out a bit tonight. I have been trying to locate this 'siren' noise I keep hearing with no luck. Tonight while in a room and everything was silent I began to hear it and realized that it was me.....I was beeping. I will lbe calling my Dr first thing tomorrow but because I was freaking..I called St...

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Why ?

I have just had an  E-mail from the British Heart Foundation asking if I am willing to Sky Dive to raise funds ,

While it is an admirable charity and does many good things for UK heart patients , could anyone explain why they want to kill me ?

Ian    

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Back pain

I am one week post-op tomorrow. I am having a lot of upper back pain. Anyone else experience this. I am a first time Pacer. Thanks

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Hello and Thanks

Just joined the club today and wanted to say "hello" and "thanks."  I've already read so many posts that have answered my questions and calmed my worries.  This club is such a great concept, and I'm happy to be a part of it, along with so many kind and considerate people!  I had my Boston Scientific CRT implanted on  January 23rd, and I feel great, though there have been a couple of bumps along the road.  Hope things will continue to go wel...

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You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker receives radio frequencies.

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I am a competitive cyclist with a pacemaker!