Most Recent Messages in Checkups & Settings

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Mammogram

I am having my first mammo.after the pacemaker was implanted 10 months ago...is it safe to do the mammogram?
My concern is the pull and squeeze of the area and will it harm the pacemaker.
Also... Is it safe to have an ultrasound of the breasts?

ThNks

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checkup

Had my pacemaker checked today,this is my second one, the first lasted only 5 years, This one has been in since April 2004,I was told my pacemaker is working 60% and my heart is working 40%, then I was told I had 2 years left in this pacemaker, don't know whether to be pleased or not, but I'm still here, so I am grateful.

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Pacing percentage

I recently had a pacemaker checkup. They said that I was pacing 90% of the time in the top chamber. I have always run around 65% of the time. What does this mean? I was wonder if my hear was getting weaker. I've had my PC since Dec. 2006

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blood too think

I'm new with my PM. I've had 2 coumiden checks, 1 was 1.2 today was 1.5. They are slowly increasing my med (warfirin). What happens if I don't get it to where it should be? How soon do I need to get it to the right numbers? Thanks, Tues. will be the 2nd wk from surgery.

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PM check up

Hi, I haven't posted in a while. I had my 9 month checkup last week.I have never seen my PM Doc. only my Cardiologist who is in the same office as the PM Dr. I have had no episodes in 3 mths. He said doing great and I'm thinking maybe I didn't need PM after all. What does no episodes mean? I was pacing at 60% but haven't gotten results yet on this appt.I still don't understand all the lingo yet. All that matter is I'm feeling Great and back to work. Enjoying life and the Grandkids. God is Good....

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no juice

I have been short of breath (SOB) since january 2011. Had PM inplanted 7+ yrs. This week I went to my EP for routine check up. My EKG read 62 for my HR. Right away I know there was sometime wrong. My PM is set at 70-120 BPM. Sure enough, The nurse checked my pacemaker, the computer read out said ,I had a significant incident where most of my juice was depleted, on July 13 2011. That explaned my extreme SOB over the last 3 weeks. SOB and pacemaker were diffently related. I was relieved, b...

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pacemaker 1 yr. 3 month check

What questions would be important to ask at this important appointment with the dr. ?

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being scanned every night!

Just wondered how many of u are being scanned EVERY night while u sleep like I am. I used to just call in every 3 months. Now after my new dual chamber St Judes pacer I am beong monitored every night when I sleep. Kind of a good feeling I guess but I had never heard of that before.

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adjusting

Thanks for all the good advice. My pacemaker is doing well and I am getting use to it most of the time. After this 6 weeks I have another problem. My replaced knee went out and now I am faced with perhaps another surgery. My life is never dull. :)

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home check ups

ok I have an odd question. Like most of you I have the machine at home to send info to my Dr. My question is does anyone if there is a way to use your cell phone to send the info. Maybe a bluetooth adapter

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St Jude Merlin Monitor

MY DR SENT ME A MERLIN MONITOR WITH 2 DATES THAT THE MONITOR WILL CHECK MY PC/ICD AT 3AM. DO I NEED TO KEEP THIS PLUGED IN ALL THE TIME OR CAN I PLUG IT IN THE DAY IT'S GOING TO CHECK ME ?
ANY HELP ?
MIKE

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re:PVCs

Frank - thanks for the comments about the pacer vs. PVCs. I didn't think the Jumping around in my diaphragm was PVCs. My doctor told me that because he couldn't think of any other reason other than possible "referred" electricity which passes thru connective tissue. Then He came up with the idea of PVCs which I still don't believe. I still think it's the PM causing the "jumping around". The lower setting of 130 has diominished the "jumps" significantly but I can't carry on my extra activiti...

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My rant cont.

Hi again, yes it is still hot in Kansas. 109 today is the predicted high!

I spoke to the "Pacemaker phone check" person and I was right. Their has been a failure in communication. The people at the front desk called every patient and left messages that we all have "Pacemaker Checks" on certain dates. They even called the patients (like me) that have St. Jude MERLINS. SO.... seems all of us are phoning in and asking the same question as I. Which was "Why are you calling me?" and "...

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re: PVCs

To whomever - thanks for the e-mail. To answer you, 150 setting was to accommodate my activity level since 120 was too low and the brakes went on. 130 was okay, 140 was okay but when I went to 150 - I could play golf and do everything else but that's when the pvcs started immediately. I am back at 130 level - guess what - NO PVCs - but I can't do everything now. The brakes go on. I require a higher setting because I am so active. I would rather play golf and get up a flight of stairs in th...

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Just my rant...

I had a complete cardiology check up last month. Stress test, heart echo, and a visit with my St. Jude EP. I also had a talk with the cardiologist. Everything was great. I left with an appointment for next year, June 2012.

So here's the problem... I received a phone message today stating that I have a pacemaker checkup for Sept. 8th! Are you kidding me was my first thought. I have the Merlin so I don't go into the office for PM check-up anymore. I don't see the point, maybe I am b...

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Feeling like Yourself

I had my PM installed 7/5. I have been to the Dr twice for tune ups. I am lightheaded and short of breath. I am starting to wonder if I am expecting too much to feel like myself again. Does anyone feel like thet don't have any issues from their PM?
Thanks

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Pacing

I was at the Dr today for my year check up. I guess the bottom of my heart is 100% pacing now. He asked me if I had had any dizziness. I didn't know why I said a few off and on. Hadn't thought anyhing on them as I had a bad case of vertigo a few years back and thought it was just that trying to hit me again. After he got done charting he asked me if I had any questions and I said no. He told me that I had a block and would see them in 6 months. He made a phone check in 2 months and a 6 month app...

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PVCs anyone?

Need some help here. St. Jude pacemaker implanted in March 2010. No problems. Went for checkup and settings were changed to a high level of 150 because of my very active life. Within a couple of hours "jumping" in my chest started. Dr. and St. Jude Rep think it's PVCs - pre-ventricular contractions. Had settings reduced to level of 140 - most of the "jumping" cleared up. So had the level re-adjusted back to 130 which was the original setting but still have random "jumping". Anyone have t...

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Syncope....still

It's been nearly 3 months of regular syncopal and near-syncopal episodes. I've had multiple ambulance rides and even more emergency responders visit. (Never by my own choice since I am fully aware that my condition is NOT life threatening.) My pacemaker settings have been changed so many times by so many people, I have no idea how they're set. This morning, they were supposedly adjusted by my regular dr who indicated he was setting the lower limit of the pacemaker to 70 to try to keep my hea...

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Cardio appointment today

Well I went to my Cardiologist not the electrician the plumber and got my meds adjusted because my heart is till doing cartwheels and racing once the cartwheels are done. he asked did I ever take an extra propranolol when it acted like that I said no no one had ever told me I should and I was given the med for high BP not heart antics so I wasn't doing anything I wasn't told to do. He said that is why you have the pacemaker to keep the meds from making your heart go too slow once you take th...

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You know you're wired when...

You have an excuse for being a couch potato.

Member Quotes

99% of the time, I totally forget I even have this device.