Most Recent Messages in General Posting

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Removal of pacemaker for end of life decisions

I am likely to be recommended for a pacemaker within a month or so.  My question, which I couldn't find discussion of here but redirect me if it is,  ...  is that a time may come in my life when I will choose end-of-life over poor quality-of-life.  If necessary, I'll try to use the Swiss services.  However, right now my quality of life is good, and I expect it to continue for some years.  If/when I reach a time when quality is not sufficient, and I wish t...

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CPAP Mask Strap magnets...

Has anyone heard about this and better yet has anyone discussed this with their cardiologist?        

The straps on CPAP face mask have magnets as connectors.  So far what I have read is that as long as the magnet stays at least two inches away from you pacemaker you are good.  I am not sure I can guarrantee it always stays that far away while sleeping.  I hope so.  I mean if I bend my neck to the left it may get close.

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What is reasonable to worry about for infection?

I recently have been freaked out by a post I saw on social media where someone got bitten by their dog and developed an infection that went to their pacemaker and now they have to have device and leads removed. It wasn't this that freaked me out, but rather the woman who this happened to said that her doctor told her she should report in for any kind of bite or scratch! 

I sew for a hobby and I have a cat. I am clumsy and always cut myself chopping vegetables or graze myse...

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Have received Barostim device

I had Barostim device implantation last week.  It was more painful than I had thought it would be (I'm on my 3rd device--PM, 2 ICDs). The generator was placed on the opposite side of my ICD under the pectoral muscle.  I also have an approx 2" incision on my neck where the lead from the generator was sutured to the carotid artery at the Barostim nerve.  The lead was tunnelled from the generator to the carotid artery....did not involve implantation into a vesse...

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Hi

*waves*. New to the club.  Had my pacemaker put in a week ago.  It was a bit of a whirlwind.  I had a syncope episode at work one day and after much testing and monitoring I was diagnosed with an irregular/abnormal heartbeat.  And so here I am :)  I am still learning and adjusting.  

I found this site while googling around with one of my many questions.   
 

ETA : to expand on things I did wear a Zio Monitor for 14 d...

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Congenital heart diease

Hi is there any 1 on here tht has got congenital heart diease with a pacemacker and living a normal life. Thanks 

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Replacement single lead after 8 yesrs

Hi, due a new device but would like a leadless micra as I suffered a severe shoulder condition after my first one was put in. Does have experience of this,thanks, Davide 

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my final update to Ian

At 3:30pm ESt today finally internet and Tv restored.  Has been out since Tuesday about the same time.  My home did not suffer .  Only one front downspout and the garage light tilled.  Did have electric, land phone and of course cell. 

I am quite weary from both not sleeping well and have to rake up the fallen leaves and some short branches from the neighbors trees.

Not sure what the pacemaker thought since was defintely more excercise.  Then it...

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Pacemaker-Mediated Tachycardia

Seems like I am coming for advice and help more and more.  I just don't know what's wrong this time.  My last post I explained how exhausted I became doing the simplest of chores, i.e. putting on a bed sheet!  My heart rate would go up into the 130's and I felt completely drained.  I saw my Cardiologist and the St. Jude rep came in and it was determined that I was experiencing PMT's.  Instead of turning my Rate Response down, they did programming...

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update to hurricane Ian

So far as you can tell electic still on now 6amEST, Wed Sept 28,2022.  Slept with the window blinds closed. Flashlight near by. Slept at least 3 hours at a time.  Knew the wheat would help and plan to eat Rye bread(wheat)and drinking 16oz of water each time.  Some times with other foods and mostly plain. Rye bread has less salt per slice than pizza. Again to sleep off and on as it makes the waiting go faster.

Now Ian is someplace nearly 170miles south of me to m...

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PaceMaker

Hello everyone.
I am new here. Sorry for my english.  Not good. I am 30 years old a man. My wife gave me a smart watch for gift. Because I am dieting and exercising, I lost 18 kg. When I measured with the watch, my heart rate was between 45-53 while I was at rest.That's why I decided to go to a doctor. I was given an effort test and a 24-hour holter test. In the effort test, my heart rate went up to 140. But there were 3-5 second pauses in the holter and the docto...

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first time with pacemaker with hurricane approaching in florida

Is there anything i should be aware of because of pacemaker.  This is the first time after pacemaker implanted in 2019 to be near a hurricane in Florida.

Been though many hurricanes  as i have been in Florida since 1973.

 Am pacing myself in bringing in chairs and what might be flying other things.

Taking many deep breaths as hopping that will eliminate bouts of AF.

Heard might be passing by Wed. Sept 28.  Really hope it goes in another directi...

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Can Medtronic Surescan replace natural heartbeat?

My brother just had a Medtronic Surescan W1DR01 implanted.

His doctor said that he severed the electrical connections so my brother's heart does not beat on its own anymore, and the Surescan causes his heart to beat.

I have reviewed all of the patient and physicians manuals for this device, and none of them describe this functionality.

They describe this as a pacing device that is used therapeutically to adjust his heart rhythm.

I am perplexed. Is it possible this...

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MRI biopsy for prostate

I have an MRI compatible pace maker but older leads are not compatible. I am an 80 year old male in good health and recently had a PSA of 10.6 which increased from 4.1 in 6 months. I have an appointment with a urologic oncologist soon and will be discussing a biopsy versus an MRI biopsy. I'm interested in any comments pertinent to my situation. 
         Thanks,                         &nbs...

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What is the "bearing down" method?

I've noticed some of you talking about using the "bearing down" method to help slow a fast heart rate. I'm curious - what is that exactly? I have an ICD because I survived an SCA. Nowadays, if I feel my heart racing, I do a few deep breaths (in for 4, out for 6) and it seems to settle things down. I'm always open to other methods though!! In addition to the "bearing down" method, are there other things you guys do to slow your heart rate? I like to avoid g...

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Club home page

Anyone know if you can change the default home page? If I'm not posting I like to look at recent posts and would like "recent messages" to be my default. The years old posts aren't very useful. 

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Rate Response set too high?

Hello Fellow Members.  I am 79 years old and have ongoing fatigue issues.  I am 100% paced. I'm pretty sure most of my problems are related to my pacemaker settings.  The rate response was turned on in June and it has not helped.  Lately, today for example, I was going to change the sheets.  After putting on the fitted bottom sheet I had to lay down for about 15 minutes.  My heart rate was 136.  Felt like I was going to collapse if I didn't lay...

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Can a tech’s mistake damage my heart or pacemaker?

Hi all,

I have had a pacemaker for complete heart block (unknown cause; I'm 100% paced, but otherwise medically very healthy) since 2016.

Long story short:

On Monday, I went in for an MRI for something completely unrelated to my heart. I have an MRI compatible pacemaker that simply needs to be set by a tech before and after the MRI, and I have had at least 2 MRIs previously with this pacemaker without incident.

The techs who adjusted my pac...

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Shower

Talked to my EP on Tuesday and discussing symptoms so I told him that I am having funny episodes of a racing heart beat in the shower. I have tried turning the heat down and still getting it and it's not something that happens at the beginning of the shower, it's towards the end. So after a bit of discussion about that it turns out that when I'm washing my hair,the vigorous movements of my arms is setting off my rate response setting and it thinks I'm running 🤣 I've been t...

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Cold after PM implant

I have a question... I had PM surgery on 5/20 and since then I seem to be cold a great deal of the time. Even when my husband is comfortable, I will be sitting covered with a blanket. I am wondering if anyone else has experienced this -- or maybe it's quite normal and I just don't know it. Thanks in advance for your replies.

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You know you're wired when...

You know the difference between hardware and software.

Member Quotes

I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for pacemakers. I've had mine for 35+ years. I was fainting all of the time and had flat-lined also. I feel very blessed to live in this time of technology.