Most Recent Messages in Checkups & Settings

Post Message!

Tec check

Hi, I am going in for my first tec check later this week. Since I got my pm very fast I know next to nothing about it. So I want to get any and all info I can. What info should I ask for? I am not a ignorance is bliss kind of gal. I once was told from a G.I. Doc that i would not understand what he was going to do. Ha, I told him that I may be getting old, just 70, but not stupid. He left the room and another doc came in. I don't want to face that with a tec.
So any advise you can giv...

Read More...

Got my second checkup

Got my second checkup via a stress test. It was all good! Don't have my PM numbers yet but they're below being concerned. Everything else top notch.

Thanks to everyone on this forum. You have given me a lot of useful information which, I feel, in turn has helped me get a good report.

And yes, the dogs helped too. Cold noses, warm hearts, and all that.

Theknotguy

Read More...

upper limit further question

My EP says we can try to increase my PM upper limit from 150 to 165 next time I get checked out but it depends on my AV interval and a few other settings. Any idea what that means?

Read More...

Sleep Test Results

I recently underwent an overnight sleep study, since I suspected sleep apnea that might have contributed to my nighttime 'crash and burn' episodes, caused by blood and oxygen deprivation.

I met with the sleep doc today to go over results. Yes, I had 15 interruptions in my sleep and snored 'moderately'. He said this was normal, and that my RDI (respiratory disturbance index) was about 2.5. They consider anything over about 5 to be problematic, necessitating intervention (CPAP, Meds, ki...

Read More...

Good Report, mostly

Hello everyone. My interrogation went well today, it felt a bit odd, but nothing I couldn't handle.

I now have all the answers I didn't before like mode (DDDR) and that my battery life and voltage is excellent (3.01V and est. life of 10.5-11.5yrs). I'm still pacing through my Atrium but only at about 22%, ventricle less than 1% which EP says is perfect, and what he expected.

One thing that made it less than perfect is that apparently I had 5 high ventricular rate event...

Read More...

1st Interrogation coming up...

Greetings! I have been poking around this site for about a month now, when I quite suddenly had to get a pacemaker last month. I can say that many of my questions have been answered just by searching.

A little background, I have had a history of passing out since I was in college or for about 13 years. It happened three times while I was in college and all three times they never figured out what was going on. Fast forward to 2008, and I passed out in front of my orchestra while te...

Read More...

higher upper limit pros and cons

I've gone back and read various upper-limit threads and see a lot of members struggle with \doctors/technicians to get the limit increased.

For active people who are pacing the ventricles, I can understand the benefits in a higher upper limit (so not to go into 2:1 block too soon). But what's the risk?
thanks
Erik

Read More...

post PM - what I didn't know

I went for a device check-up yesterday. Ventricle pacing at 11%, atrium at less than 1%. Learned a few things:

- When the battery wears out, the entire device is replaced. I thought they popped open a compartment and put in a new battery. Nope. You get an entire new PM.
- When they test you, they can pace either chamber and increase your heart rate, in my case from 65 to 90. That was weird.
- Steri-strips. I'm gonna buy some for home and keep them next to the Band-Aids. Gre...

Read More...

Pacemaker Check

I had my pacemaker installed in 2006 in France when I was living abroad.

Have just had my check and my usage of the bottom part not sure what called has risen from 7% to 14% - not sure why. My extra beats were recorded as 3000 for 6 months and I have three years battery left.

I have bouts of extrasystoles, missed beats it feels. Why would my recording go up double? I have done nothing different.

I am having checks on my stomach as I am having problems could...

Read More...

3 month follow up

So I had my first pacemaker check Wednesday and follow up appointment with cardiologist today. In 3 months I only had one 4 minute afib incident (which I have no recollection of) and one 5 second v-tach incident (I did feel dizzy briefly while bending over tying sneakers in a self service show store). I am happy with these results. The Sotalol seems to be working for the most part. After 3 months I can honestly say I barely feel my pacemaker anymore. Just wanted to share my good news for other n...

Read More...

Pacemaker & Afib

MINERVA trial shows Medtronic pacemakers reduce the progression of permanent AF by 61 percent:
http://newsroom.medtronic.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=251324&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1877867&highlight=
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/18/us-heart-medtronic-pacemaker-idUSBRE9AH0SL20131118

Thought this would be of interest for all Afib patients that face a pacer implant or replacement.

Best

Inga

Read More...

First Check-up complete

I just came from the Pacemaker Clinic and all is well with pacemaker. It has only kicked in .4 of 1% and my heart is function as it should with avg. pace of 65 beats.

Tech. said my dizzness and headache have nothing to do with the pacemaker. So I have to go and see the Dr. that prescribe the Nadol and my own family Dr. to change my medication. My own family doctor felt my dizzyness was the meds so cut down a 1/4 tab so as not to step on anyones toes. Well I want to step on toes...

Read More...

First Check up since PM installed

Hi was I am going tomorrow for a check up on my PM. I had PM installed Oct. 28th. for Syncopy Complete Heart Block.

I am still dizzy so they have moved my check up to Nov. 20th from Dec. 6th.

What questions do I need to ask. I know they installed a Boston Scientific dual PM. My bottom rate is set at 45
other than that I know anything.

I am hoping to head south for the winter on Dec. 7th.

Read More...

Magnetic monitoring

I recently switched Doctors because the one I was using was out of my Medical plan. But he used a Merlin home transmitter to monitor my st Jude pm2210 pacemaker. As long as your within 10 feet of the unit it checked the pacemaker and heart rate a battery . The new doctor gave me a device that has a magnet that I put over my pacemaker and two bracelets that go on my wrest. I'm not to keen on using the magnet. Can it damage the pacemaker? I'm pacemaker dependent so that's why I'm paranoid.

Read More...

Fatigue

Hi,
I just joined this club and had a pacemaker for the first time about a month ago. Some postings I read implied that a change in the low and upper heart-beat settings can help eliminate fatigue. My settings are 55 - 130 bpm and should cover most essential activities. Why do I still feel tired and anxious? It could be due to depression from the surgery? I would like to contact with persons with similar problems and learn to cope or resolve the problems.

Read More...

Settings & exercise

I am now two months post implant and went to the cardio on Thursday for a PM check. I have been having some problems while exercising both with rate increase with sudden rate drops. I gathered from the sage postings in this forum that my problem was related to the settings of my PM.

The Medtronic technician did all the tests and told me that it was apparent my maximum rate was set too low and despite my SSS, rate response was turned off. My cardio agreed to let the tech up my maxim...

Read More...

PM rate

My PM rate is between 80 and 110. When I use the cross trainer I can't use any elevation or resistance or the heart rate goes above the 110 and it doesn't drop. To keep it below 110, I have to exercise at a slow pace. Don't understand, if 110 is the top HR why does it go above that?

Read More...

Surgeon

Do I really need to see the surgeon after a PM implantation? (implantation 3 weeks ago) I've twice seen the technician to adjust my PM and I feel fine. Also, they have the pace set at 80 and before all my problems started my heart rate was between 40 and 50 so I don't understand why they have the pace set so high.

Read More...

more tests and check up

Today I went for pulmonary function test. I did not think it was necessary and half way through so did the respiratory therapist! she sent me home. That was good news. Then I went into see the medtronic rep because after 6 weeks I have less energy and basically feel my quality of life is much less than before my PM. I was hoping for a significant tweak. I got my self interrogation turned off in case it was waking me up. On Friday I went to primary and my BP was 150/100. I have never had it this...

Read More...

Medtronic Consulta "Observations"

During last weeks PM download, a couple things -----------The Quick Look II Report states: (In the past 6 mos) AT/AF events:0 -- VT event: 1 - lasting 1 sec. Now a couple items that weren't addressed to me------------ "Observations:" --"Possible fluid accumulation exceeded OptiVol Threshold, 24-Sept - 24 Oct 2013" and "LV Capture Management determined that threshold increased by 1.125V from 28-Oct to 29-Oct. Medtronic site states not to read too much into these #'s --they are not a substit...

Read More...

You know you're wired when...

Your life has spark.

Member Quotes

My pacemaker has ultimately saved mine and my unborn child’s life for which I am thankful.