Most Recent Messages in General Posting

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Zio Patch

I have Brugada syndrome, few ablations and an icd later I was doing very well. However, lately I have been experiencing skipped beats while working out, I called my cardiologist/ EP, they ordered some blood work, echo, and a stress test. He also ordered a zio patch. Question: in how many days did you receive your zio patch? I don't mean the results, just the device. What was your zio patch experience like? Many thanks, Paula

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heart rate

I  have noticed that after doing the exacty same exercise (walking up flights of stairs) my heart rate goes up to over 120 one day and less than 105 other days. I was wondering what causes the fluxuations. Is it better to have a lower heart rate after exercise or should I push myself harder to get my heart rate up ? 

My EP only says that many of his patients who are on the same does of entresto as I am have a difficult time getting their HR above 100. 

 

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Anyone gone from one lead to two leads? Any changes in athletic performance?

Has anyone gone from having just a single ventricular lead to eventually getting the second atrial lead put in? I was hoping they could share their experiences - especially as it relates to athletic performance.

I got my first PM (a Medtronic Azure XT SR MRI SureScan) about 1.5 years ago. Right now, I have only one lead going to the lower chamber. However, I am an endurance cyclist, runner, tennis player and cannot do stuff to the extent I was able to (which is to be expected.)

Be...

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new poll

There's a new poll up. Let us know how you are handling the pandemic at this time. 

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Apixban

Can mechanical heartvakve patients switch from warfarin to Eloquis yet?

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2nd degree heart block

I have 2nd degree heart block mobitz ii and will have dual chamber pacemaker placed in about 4 weeks.  My question if you have had same how much did it help you with things like shortness of breath, muscle fatigue and weakness, etc

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Edibles for sleep

My cardiologist says it was safe to take thc edibles for sleep with a pacemaker .I take no other heart meds anyone els have experience with this?

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Head rush/pressure

When I lay on my stomach I get an immediate rush of head pressure.  This lasts for about 20 seconds.  I've mentioned this to my Dr., but he acts like he's never heard of such a thing. Anyone ever experience this?  I've had my PM since 2011.  Thanks

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Micra and Old PM

Hi, I have posted lately because my PM went into end-of-life mode. My surgeon had to (inexplicably) cancel his surgeries and they found an EP to replace mine; the new surgery date is this Friday.  In the mean time, this pacing is horrible!  Anyway, I was reading previous posts about the Micra.  What do they do with the old battery?  Does it have to come out or can it be just turned off and left in?  I am wondering because I am scheduled for major surgery a week after...

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Blood Thinners

Any one use Tumeric (Curcumin) as a blood thinner? Been using it for inflamation and it also is known to thin the blood. Thought about a PT test to see the effectiveness. Taking drugs Xeralto does not excite my wallet, unless it is absolutly necessary! Have flutter off and on. No diabetes or high blood pressure, not Fat! Areobic (serious) Exercise two hours every day but Sunday been at this for 40 plus years, thanks now a pacemaker. Bradycardia  My stroke risk factor is very low. Just a...

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Using crutches?

I'm scheduled to have a PM put in next week, in the midst of having a knee injury and being on crutches.  It is occurring to me that I may not be able to use crutches for some time after the implant.  

I didn't think to ask the EP about this.  Does anyone know?  

And when he said, "You shouldn't move your arm forward or backwards or reach up, and no pulling or tugging," (I think for 4 weeks) does that mean things like playing the pian...

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Entresto

Hey folks, I have had a pacemaker since April of 2020. Immediately after surgery I felt great, but then my doctor turned my resting rate up to 65 and started me on Entresto. Since then I have been very tired. When I sleep, it just doesn't feel like the sleep is nearly as good as it once was. Trying to figure out if it's the new drug or the higher rate. I'm only 40 years old and had minimal issues with fatigue prior to being diagnosed. Any thoughts?

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Fell Flat on My Chest

One week ago, I took a hard fall. I went down on my knee caps, my arms flew out so I did not break the fall, and I landed flat on my chest. The following day, I had some discomfort to the left of my pacemaker, towards my armpit. Each day the pain has become greater and has now traveled towards the center of my chest. It is painful to cough, laugh, sneeze, blow my nose, reach with my left arm, and take a deep breath. At first it felt like someone punched me. Could I have damaged the muscle tha...

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Pacing rate question

On June 30 I went in my first device check since getting my pacemaker on May 28. I was satisfied with answers I received at the time from doctor and the rep. As I  was advised here, I got a copy of my summary. I was told that my base rate is 70 and also told that the ventricle apex lead was pacing at 93.7% and the atrial appendage pacing 5.9% of the time. The doctor said this demonstrates my problem was LBBB and 3rd degree heart block and also said my SA node seems strong. The more...

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Seatbelts

This coming Tuesday marks two weeks since I got my pacemaker. It also marks the day I have been told I can drive again, but I must stick to driving an automatic at first (normatively I drive a stick shift, but the doctor who put in my device said I should drive an automatic for the first week before returning to stick shift). My concern here is with wearing a seatbelt. Riding with my wife, the seatbelt comes over the right shoulder, but it is a bit close to where my device was placed. I reali...

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Coming up to week 1 with the PM, Communicator question

I had my Pacemaker (Boston Scientific, two leads) inserted last Monday (June 29) for a heart block and so far everything is just going fine and I feel great.  My resting pulse rate is now low to mid 80's up from the very low 40's it was at before.  No problems with the incision site and I have my first follow up with my cardiologist on Wednesday.  

I do have a question about the Boston Scientific communications box though.  It's a Boston Sc...

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Sharp pain

I had my dual chamber PM implanted 4 days ago after the procedure I started getting some sharp pains in my opposite shoulder. By that night it was so bad I was in tears. It has gotten better but now it is horrible shooting pain in my right shoulder with every heartbeat if my HR goes above about 100. Could this all be from swelling or the procedure, or do you think it's a lead placement issue? I'm calling the doctor on Monday if it persists. 

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Pins & Needles

Hi guys,

Just looking for advice and thoughts on the following.

I had my new PM implanted on my dominant RHS last April after having my previous device removed due to unfortunately getting Endocarditis..

Anyway I have recently returned to my construction /Plastering job and over the last week or so I have noticed I am getting pins and needles a lot at night time in both arms, especially if I raise them above my head. I am now wondering if this is a circulation problem and co...

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PM and MRIs

I will be getting a PM sometime this month, if scheduling issues allow.  (Sick Sinus Syndrome and brady/tachy syndrome, not currently life-threateneing but symptomatic.) As it happens I have twisted my knee and am also waiting to see the ortho dr.  I think it's quite possible that he will order an MRI.  

The EP told me he would be implanting a two lead Boston Scientifics PM that is MRI compatible, but that it takes some planning to make an MRI happen.  Looking at...

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Too young for this...but NOT complaining!

I wish I had found Pacemaker Club several years ago.  It might have acclerated my jump to my best cure--the Pacer itself.  I started with an AFib diagnosis at age 39...and from there, things spiraled; AFib, A-Flutter, Junctional Rhythm, Tachycardia, Bradycardia, surgeries large and small...and ultimately a Pacemaker.  That was to have been my last resort, but it has proven to be the most effective (especially after years and years of misery-inducing drug combinations). &nb...

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You have a shocking personality.

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We are very lucky to have these devices.