PULSE

• by PMSiebren35
• 2024-02-11 11:09:04
• General Posting
• 353 views
• 1 comments

Hi everybody,

I had my 3rd pacemaker installed in Nov. of 2022. They were going to replace the 20 year old wires at the same time. One is causing interference. But the last minute they decided not to to, I think mainly because of the complications it could cause (bleeding?) and my age of 87 back then.

Immediately after that, my pulse at home was sometimes normal, but often between 38-48! Still going on 15 months later. The nurse at my Electrophysiologist's...

Read More...

Exercise following a shock

• by Wings
• 2024-02-11 06:57:35
• ICDs
• 536 views
• 6 comments

Hi All

Sorry for this long message but I need to give some background before asking some questions (if you dont mind)

I had a Medtronic ICD fitted about 2 and a half months ago (dual, pacemaker and defib) following a cardiac incident while out jogging that eventually led to me being shocked in hospital to get my heart rhythm back on track.

Turned out I had Arrthymgenic cardiomyopathy that had finally reached a point of "no return" (was told most likely ju...

Read More...

to ski or not to ski

• by Kbob
• 2024-02-10 15:50:50
• Exercise & Sports
• 449 views
• 4 comments

I woud like some opinions undestanding there is probably no right or wrong answer.

My husband grew up skiing.  I did not. At 30 years old I started skiing on an anuual ski trip with my husband, friends, and our four daughters that came along over the years.  I was a decent skiier, not great.

We did this for about 20 years then stopped when schedules for children did not allow the family trip. 

I have not skiied in 14 years. 

We are pl...

Read More...

Ablation

• by Indyglo
• 2024-02-10 15:06:02
• Conditions, Meds & Tests
• 365 views
• 3 comments

My pacemaker has been in for one year and just had my one year checkup with the doctor.  He said I went into A-Fib around December and suggests that I have Ablation.

Has anyone had to have ablation for A-Fib?   Last May I had a TVAR.  How long is recovery for ablation?   If anyone has had ablation, does it really make a difference in heart palpatations?  

Read More...

Documentation of Medtronic ERI program changes

• by Good Dog
• 2024-02-10 08:55:47
• Batteries & Leads
• 1296 views
• 5 comments

I was advised that Medtronic has changed the new devices so that they do not revert to 100% Ventricular pacing "only" (VVI) before replacement is permitted by  insurance. However, I have not been able to locate documentation that directly reflects this in a clear and concise statement. Although. I did find the following information that I believe pretty clearly documents it. I hope that someone smarter than me can help and comment on this. It is obviously ve...

Read More...

Missing beats, early morning.

• by Repero
• 2024-02-10 05:01:26
• General Posting
• 378 views
• 7 comments

I am starting this new thread because I didn't want to hijack Lavender's thread below. However, Gemita's response to Lavender touches on a subject that I have woken up worrying about - a coincidence!

Just recently, I have noticed that when laying half awake in bed in the morning, I can hear my heart beating - a shushing sound in my ears. I am not worried about this, but the rhythm I am hearing is unsettling.

After about 10 or 15 beats there is a definite pause before t...

Read More...

Easy replacement

• by natalie
• 2024-02-09 13:57:22
• Surgery & Recovery
• 405 views
• 8 comments

Hi y'all, replacement surgery #1 was yesterday, Feb. 8th and it was easy breezy - just like you said it would be.  So thankfull for your knowledge and guidance.  I won't be kayaking for 6 weeks :0).

I now have an Azure XT DR MRI. 

It is in the original pocket - so no pain from that.  Plus have not had any on the incision and am following all my doctor's requirements to ensure it all stays good and healing as it should. The app is loaded and fun...

Read More...

Ejection fraction not on quarterly report

• by Lillian S.
• 2024-02-09 13:26:09
• Checkups & Settings
• 421 views
• 3 comments

I see other posters to this forum talking about ejection fraction all the time.  But I don't see any mention of it in the latest report from my PM monitor, and I don't believe the cardiologists' office has ever mentioned it when I've been in there for a PM check.  Is there a hidden code for EF on a St. Jude monitor report, that I just don't recognize what it is?

Read More...

Left arm arthritis?

• by Nina38
• 2024-02-08 10:20:36
• General Posting
• 346 views
• 6 comments

So for the past week or so I was experiencing on and off pain in my left arm. From wrist pain, to finger joint pain, palm, forearm, elbow, shoulder.. no numbness, no chest pain, nothing else but these short moments of what I thought was nerve pain.. and all these areas didn't all hurt at once.. it was literally one part hurt then it went away.. if I used my left arm then the pain occurred in my forearm for an example.. pain was never extreme nor did it last long maybe a few seconds or min...

Read More...

tomorrow is surgery day!

• by natalie
• 2024-02-07 15:11:58
• Batteries & Leads
• 427 views
• 3 comments

Hi all, thank you for your encouragement while I have been navigating the last 12 days of ERI.  

Before the mode switch, I was going to Iyengar yoga 4 times a week, walking 2-3 miles 2 times a week, kayaking, biking and painting. I am active and so ready to be back at everything I love to do. 

How long do you think recovery will be for me?  Only the PM is being replaced, leads stay in - yeah!

- Will I be able to go kayaking on Feb. 23rd?

- Will I be able...

Read More...

Knitting!

• by Trixi
• 2024-02-07 11:55:30
• General Posting
• 304 views
• 2 comments

Is anyone here a knitter? If so, do you manage to knit in comfort or do you experience pain at PM site? I've had my PM now for 5 months and still finding this activity a strain. Any ideas welcome.

Read More...

Unexpected Medical Emergency

• by Stache
• 2024-02-07 11:07:40
• Checkups & Settings
• 570 views
• 10 comments

My simple update and pacer scan for any issues turned into a full-blown Emergency Room (ER) all-day real-world crisis.  I don’t have a heartbeat and my heart pacer beats my heart for me at 60 BPM at the lowest setting.  The tech wired me up and was running a full diagnostic test of my pacer.  I warned her not to go below 40 bpm as I didn’t have a heartbeat.  Well, the tech went below 40 BPM and my heart stopped and I slumped over just like 3 years ago during ca...

Read More...

Dead Battery

• by Proud American
• 2024-02-06 14:57:26
• Batteries & Leads
• 529 views
• 7 comments

Hi I have had an IED since 2005 first one was  Boston Scietific That was recalled over a month after it was implanted. Four years later I had it removed and a Medtronic device installed shortly after that my fidelis lead was recalled. In 2019 I was told that my battery was nearing end of life and the device would need to be replaced. I thought long and hard in the 14 years I had a device it never had to deliver therapy not once zero. Along came COVID 19 and I postponed having the de...

Read More...

Occasional small pain in chest at device location

• by PeterZ
• 2024-02-06 11:05:51
• General Posting
• 361 views
• 2 comments

I get a tinge of pain on left side of my chest by device location. It happens about once an hour, at times there are a couple of tinges. Tinge-=small pain. Is that common or something to be concerned about? I have had my pacemaker since November 2023.

Read More...

Am I topping out?

• by Pacer2019
• 2024-02-05 17:57:17
• Checkups & Settings
• 484 views
• 6 comments

Pm was placecd on 1/10/2023. Today is the first day i have really pushed it ..

I played a racquet sport (pickleball) for 2 hours or so.

I would get winded at times (never did pre-op) and noticed my heart rate was maxing at around 100.... looking  at my garmin i was max 120. 

Can the pacemaker limit my max?  Is there an adjustment?

Seems like as I move and create blood/oxygen demand im not getting enough?

The device is a Medtronic Cobalt <...

Read More...

It seems I am not bone idle but genuinely in need of some rate response

• by Gemita
• 2024-02-05 06:13:35
• Conditions, Meds & Tests
• 640 views
• 19 comments

Thank you all for your helpful contributions and support to my recent post.  I thought I would do a new post. 

I have just received the following message from my pacing clinic.  Here is their response, early Monday morning.  It seems I do need Rate Response turned on and left on. 

I am having difficulties getting the graph posted, so I will try to post it to the gallery where you can view if you wish.  Update:  finally manage...