Most Recent Messages in Checkups & Settings

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Pacing Usage.

This pertains to a dual chamber pacemaker. It is set at 60/120 and this setting has remained the same for many years. However, over the past couple of years the atrium pacing usage has increased from 3% to 5% and the ventricular pacing usage has increased from 0% to 1%. Since the pacemaker settings of 60/120 have not changed, does anyone know what is causing the increased pacing usage percents (especially in the atrium). Would appreciate any input. Going to have pacemaker checked tomorrow....

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St. Jude Merlin Home Transmitter

I gave the following letter to my cardiologist's nurse practitioner today:

I would appreciate receiving more information concerning the use of my Merlin Pacemaker Monitor. I received the device approximately two months ago and set it up in accordance with the instructions provided. I have read the instructions and need clarification:

1. Is the Merlin actively monitoring my pacemaker function every night, or is it only performing periodic checks as directed and sc...

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useage

ok I am probably being paranoid but I think I had a episode last night so I went to DR it has been a little over a month only since I was there I was told I use it 11% upper & 16% lower & says in past I have used it 100% of time is that possible to use it so much then hardly use it I am probably being paranoid but want to hear from others TY

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Guidance Requested

Hi there, I'm on week 6 today of having my pacemaker lead reinserted. It's my understanding that it takes awhile to get the settings perfect. On Friday my doc told me that he foresees that the pacemaker could be taken out within the year as he feels that I am healing from the heart block caused by an Ablation for SVT on the 1st of Dec. I personally am super skeptical about this as I feel like crap most of the time - chest pain, weird bumps and twinges in my chest, lightheadedness, occasional...

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A QUICK QUESTION

I SEE THE METRONIC REP EVERY 3 MONTHS AND THEN THE MD A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER. SO FAR, AFTER 1 1/2 YEARS WITH PACER, I AM DOING OK AND HAVE 9 YEARS LEFT WITH BATTERY. AM TIRED ALL THE TIME AND SOME DIZZY PROBLEMS. THE REP SAID TO NOTE WHEN I HAVE DIZZYNESS AND WHEN I AM TIRED (TOLD HIM ALL THE TIME). NOW MD OFFICE WANTS TO CANCEL MY APPT FOLLOWING THIS REP APPT AND SCHEDULE 2 MONTHS AWAY. THEY WERE DOUBLE BOOKED WITH PATIENTS.
QUESTION: ANY SENSE TO THIS APPT WITH THE MD?? THE APPT...

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is my icd set too low

My heart rate went up to 194bpm so i went to the ER for difficulty breathing they gave me lidocaine (which sent me in convulsions) to lower my heart rate and it did well the hospital Electrophysiologist changed my device settings from it shocking me at 214bpm to 182bpm in which i totally disagreed but they dont understand the mental anguish this device causes,and yes i am aware that its there to save my life and im very appreciative for that my problem is when the doctors dont include me in my l...

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Backup Mode - Update

I went back to see my EP yesterday. They had 2 Representatives from Biotronik there to investigate and help reset my PM. I took my Relief Band to the appointment with me. From Tuesday's appointment they were able to send the files of data they collected from the PM to Biotronik. On Wednesday the Biotronik Engineers reviewed the files which were all the components of the PM self checking and they determined the PM was operating properly, that it did not malfunction. Also, my home monitor finally...

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Backup Mode

I have a Biotronik Evia DR-T dual lead pacemaker installed a little over a year ago for bradycardia. Today I went in for my routine annual check-up with my EP. When he tried to perform an interrogation he kept getting an error message. After an hour on the phone with the manufacturer tech support they found out my pacemaker had gone into backup mode.My last home monitor transmission was 1/6/15. I flew to Florida that day and returned on 1/11/15. From what I was told when a pacemaker goes into b...

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Problem with Pounding Heartbeat

My Medtronic PM was put in January 2014 and there has been a problem with pounding heartbeat every since. This is a problem that I never had with the previous Medtronic PM in the 8 years it lasted. The doctor says the PM is working as designed and has made a couple of adjustments, but the strong beats make it difficult to get to sleep or back to sleep in the middle of the night. It takes very little exertion to bring on shortness of breath and noticeable pounding. (Note: my aortic valve was r...

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Goin From 60 to 70 Tommorow

Hi, I have been having some arythmia for a month or so and the cardiologist is raising my heartbeat from 60 to 70. I would appreciate some feedback. Thanks!

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Merlin Home Monitor?

I have a St. Jude 2210 pacemaker and a Merlin Home monitor. When I got the home monitor in the mail I followed the instructions and set it up immediately. As far as I can tell it is sitting there day after day doing nothing. I am guessing from the vague instructions, that it is only active when the doctor orders a monitoring/check up session. I was led to believe that I would receive information regarding specific dates/times that the Merlin would interrogate the PM. I have received no info...

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AMS episodes

Hi
Can anyone explain what is an AMS episode that is detected on an interrogation? How many are normal and are 600 in 3 months considered a lot? Any info will be appreciated .

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First Dual lead PM check up

First PM check up today at 4 weeks post op due to a couple of settling in problems. My pm is doing a great job and i've decided to call mine Precious:). I am pacing100% in the top main lead,
I had been getting a wee flutter feeling and I could feel a pulsing now and again in my left ribs which I was told today was because my lower lead was set really high in surgery (which apparently is normal to see how you go in the first weeks) They lowered it slightly today.( Theknotguy on here was r...

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PVC's and settings

Good morning - I have not been here for quite sometime well at least not to post - I do come in and read the posts
Anyways, I now have a question
I have had my PM for 5 years and have had no problems - I send remote transmissions to my EP every 3 months - Nov of last year I had my yearly check up - to make a long story short - the Medtronic ppl made some changes - my EP came in and saw the changes - he said "she will not like that" and changed them back and I guess in the proc...

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Unfelt ICD Discharge

Hi All
I recently had a routine device check up. The test showed that my ICD had responded to two incidents with shocks both around 2am while I was sleeping. From reading other accounts of ICD shocks the general sense I get is, that it is something that would have woken me and or would have felt something. My doctor told me this also. Anyone experienced this or have input to help me with this? I always appreciate everyone taking the time to help.

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Pacemaker Interrogation

Recently at my interrogation, I was told offhandedly that I had a cardiac event on September 5th. I didn't ask what that meant but I should have. I certainly don't recall anything happening on 9/5. Does anybody know what that means when they say "cardiac event or incident?"

Thanks

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Copy of interrogations

I requested a copy of my telephone interrogation of my ICD from my doctor. I am getting a run around. Am I entitled to a copy and does anyone have a suggestion in getting it.
Thanks

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What I'd Wish I'd Known to Ask...

I've had my PM for SSS for almost 5 months. I will be meeting with a Rep. for the first time Jan 7th. Since I'm new to all of this:
Q:What should I ask him about???

I am really young, I was very active prior to heart issues, and I have several autoimmune diseases (if that makes any difference). Advice/questions to ask would be very much appreciated!!

Thank you,

Spunky_1

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Tachycardia with palpitations

Hey everyone. I am 30 years old and I have a dual lead St Jude pacemaker. I guess I should start from the beginning. In January of 2014, I started having a lot of issues. Constantly high heart rate, palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, headache and extreme fatigue. I could not walk 5 feet without my heart racing. After a few wrong doctors, I was finally referred to an electrophysiologist. By this time, it was April. She did a stress test, which I could not finish because y heart rate go...

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Landline (still) needed for monitoring...?

Hello. I've had a pacemaker most of my life and always used a land line and a corded phone to do my remote quarterly check-up, until I moved out of my parents' house. I was trying to avoid paying for a land line as I use my cell exclusively, so I asked the monitoring company if I could just put my cell phone in the cradle instead, and hey, it worked! Before I got my first of 2 new pacers last year (long story, but I still only have one) the techs told me they had a model that had wireless transm...

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