Most Recent Messages in General Posting

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anxiety and meds

I wanted to post what I'm dealing with and to see if anyone has dealt with it. Two weeks prior to getting my pm via the ER I was feeling lightheaded and dizzy at times. I went to my gp who said I may either need a pm for bradychardia or I may be experiencing symptoms of anxiety. I was 47 and due for a midlife crisis I guess. So I opted for Paxil. The medication was very helpful following the operation(I had my first panic attack afterwards), but now I have decided to go off it after 7 month...

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If your Dr. or Rep. had only told you.....

I see that a lot of members were sent home from the hospital without much information from their doctor or PM representatives. What are a few things you wish they had warned you about?
BP

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Driving

I just have a question. I am new to the site, and I think it is a wonderful site. My question is , how long after the Implant o f the pacemaker can I drive?"

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RECALL PACE MAKER 6949

HELLO OUT THERE DOES ANY ONE ON HERE HAVE A PM THAT IS ON RECALL
I HAVE ONE THAT HAS THE DAMAGED WIRE I HAVE THE 6949 MEDTRONIC WITH THE 65 CM WIRE
MY PM WENT OFF 11 TIMES WITH IN 12 HOURS 8 WITH IN ONE MINUTE AND THEN THE NEXT MORNING AROUND 10 AM LUCKILY I WAS AT THE HOSPITAL THE SECOND TIME THE HEART DOC PUT A MAGNET ON IT TO STOP THE SHOCKS AND SENT ME TO THE HEART HOSPITAL TO HAVE THE UNIT SHUT OFF FOR NOW RIGHT NOW MY PERCENTAGE OF HEART IS AROUND 40% WAS 15% 22 MONTHS AG...

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Aching left arm

I am a Newbie, but old (77). I am not very familiar with the terms used, so please enlighten me. I had a Medtronic two lead pm installed in December of 2006. It was done because my heart paused for several seconds while I was in the ER because of prolonged atrial fibs. It is my understanding that it only kicks in if my heart rate gets very low, about 40 I think. I am not sure about any upper limits.

I was in afibs about 60% of the time for 6 weeks after installation. Then the...

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Help

Hi Evita,
I am brand new to this wonderful website, and I am also a Pacemaker patient. I thought I might be able to assist you with my situation as I am a full time flight attendant. I am very active and healthy. Surprisingly, I fainted three times in one day July '07. My husband rushed me to E.R. where I was diagnosed with Bradycardia & Sick Sinus. (My symptoms were very similar to your husbands.)
After my quick recovery time, my Dr. gave me the "thumbs up" to return to wo...

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I am so excited about the PM club!

I am new to the PM club today and I must say very excited! After my first PM in 1999 I asked my dr if there was a support group of any type. He thought I was joking...not cool! What is cool is I found all of you--years later, but that's okay--I found what I knew had to exsist! Thank you for willingness to share your experiences and for your support I see in your responses. I hope I am fortunate to communicate with many on this site! My pacemaker changed my life in so many ways! It was like...

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Remote control

Good Morning!
Sure we're battery operated but my previous husband asked if my PM came with a remote control! LOL! :)
We've remained friends and he's still is a great support to me!
Enjoy your day!
The Bunny---and yes, we we all keep going and going and going.!

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A Message to the Living

Good evening All,

I had my 3rd follow up today and rythem and BP are great. And to continue on this journey its time to say good bye for now. I have found that this is truely a life altering experience and I have found a very nice peace and calm with this. I have faced mortality unlike folks without their bunnies, and know what it means to be alive. To feel, to know that with each cup of coffee and each trip to the bathroom I am alive.

I am here and will be now fro many...

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Not sure

Hi all,
I had my PM put in in Mar 2007.I am 38 YO M.
I have been told months ago that I can resume swimming but I'm too scared.Reason is, that when I put my arm out straight above my head (like I would if i were swimming)I can feel the bottom left conrer of my device down towards my armpit.Like its poking out .I really don't want to risk damage to wires etc and since i did not have an Xray directly after the op,I cant help but feel a bit unsure that the positioning is ok to swim.
...

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Pacer moms

Any young pacer moms out there?
How was your pregnacy any issues because of your pacemaker?

Im 24 and starting to think about a family in the next few years.
Any insight would be great.

Thanks
-Jenn-

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Chat room

Boring none in there ...
Wanna chat?
x

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Intro

Hello Folks,

Im new to the PM Club. I've had a pacemaker since 1991 when I was 11 or 12. I'm currently 28 and I'm on my third pacemaker (installed last November).

I would love to meet other PM folks who are under 30 to chat with.

This last pacemaker install has thrown me for a loop personally. I haven't quite recovered mentally from the procedure. Possibly lead to a mild depression, but I work on it daily.

I look forward to hearing from others.

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wires disconnect

How would you know if your wires, leads became dislodged from your heart? I have a St. Judes with two leads.
Thanks so much
Charlie

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chat room

Whats with the chat room? I couldn't get a response. Its like everybody is just starring at a blank screen. Watching and waiting.

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Thank You Smitty

Just wanted to thank Smitty for being such a huge part of this group. I learn so much from you. We are very fortunate to have you here to help us and teach us. Thanks again.

Vicki

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Leads

I was checking my Pacemaker registration card and I see I have SELOS leads. 1 straight and 1 "j". I don't find anything on the Biotronik webpage indicating they are the manufacturer. Is anyone familiar with the SELOS brand?

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Dr. Visit!

I went in today to what I was thinking was going to be getting placed on a medication to increase my blood pressure. That was not the case my blood pressure was high today. I stopped checking it because I just got lazy with checking it. I know in the mornings and late at night it gets low sometimes. He told me that he wants me to wear this 24 hour blood pressure monitoring. I had never heard of that so I get that tomorrow.
They then ordered me to have a test tomorrow on my left subclavia...

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Just curious about Device Rep.

My PM was installed in 2002 and I have noticed that a lot of you have dealt with a device rep, or seen, talked to a device rep etc. I have never met a device rep nor did a device rep. explain my pm to me when I received one. My EP doc did all the explaining and put my fears to rest. Are device reps really needed, since they really don't know your history and the doctor probably knows just as much about the device as the Rep does? I would have more to say, but don't want to start a heated d...

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Those strange pacemaker "shocks"!

I'm the lady that was getting "shocks" from her pacemaker. I got some great information here that relieved my mind until I was able to get to my EP today. As I felt the shocks were from the impedance check of my atrial wire, that's what we checked first. Yup! That was exactly it. Because I have Unipolar leads, the pacemaker battery (called the "can") becomes part of the complete electrical circuit. The charge goes down the unipolar wire to the heart muscle and then travels back to the can...

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You know you're wired when...

You fondly named your implanted buddy.

Member Quotes

Your anxiety is normal. It takes some of us a little time to adjust to the new friend. As much as they love you, family and friends without a device just cannot understand the adjustment we go through. That is why this site is so valuable.