Most Recent Messages in Checkups & Settings

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A Survey

OK pacemaker citizens:  Who has had any optimizations performed (you know, sonographer, Doc, Device nurse). What was the outcome? Positive, negative, or no change.  Let us know!

--Dave--

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HOME MONITOR

does anyone know how to get your own home monitor readings or is it only sent to your doctor? 

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Remotes

How often do you send a non scheduled remote? Do Drs get annoyed if you send constantly. Sent one like two weeks ago but I feel like the need to send one today cause I kind of felt like I had an abnormal rythem yesterday morning 

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Echocardiologists

Being the kind of guy with a LVEF of 22% + or - a couple percent, I'm searching for a cardio guy or EP who can actually "read" an echo and have the device clinic nurse follow his instructions for an effective PM optimization.  Previous Doc. had this task aced ---- then he retired (AARRRRGH!).   I'm the current owner of a newly installed Medtronic "Claria MRI CRT-D" PM.

My quest is to locate a talented Doc. whose specialty...

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Referred beats?

I'm having a device check in a couple of hours.  I'm 2+ month past implant and AV Node ablation (CRT-PM, 100 ) but I keep having these weird sensations, like feeling beats below my heart near my rib cage or diaphragm, so Doc is sending me early for a check.

Does anyone know what this could be?  

Doc mentioned maybe one of my leads was too low, and they could possibly re-position it with a magnet?  

--Violet

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settings...

I have a Boston Scientfic, an ACCOLADE.

I'd like to run at one 'speed' but for sleep, slow down and run at a lower speed.

Is this possible?

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How does it know?

RE: The programming of any PM device...............depends on what it is "told."  If the ventricle(s) are not completely filled, is it sort of a wasted effort, esp. in regards to an A-V Node ablated person?  Seems the only "workaround" entails a talented Doc who can acurately "read" the sonograph and give proper directions.

--Dave--

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PM Timing

This post is a companion to my earlier one where I posted a search for talent:  At that get together, the Doc would watch the sonograph, then instruct the device clinic nurse to do this, or that in regards with the "timing" of when each ventricles lead would "fire."   The PM I had implanted at the time (as well as its replacement) featured "Cardiac resynchronization therapy" (CRT).  Shouldn't this feature have automatically performed...

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Quest for Talent

About 4+ yrs ago, my cardiologist suggested I see a "specialist" in one of their other clinics.  I did so, and met with Dr. "A."  At our 1st meeting, wife asked him, "Are you an EP?"  He answered, "No! But I can read an echo better than anyone your husband's been seeing!"  (BTW: his specialty is Echocardiography.)  He arranged a "pacemaker optimization" event for me.  There, besides the Doc was the sonographer...

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Lowered oxygen levels after Device check.

My 3 wire implant helped with my oygen levels. After I had a Device check and adjustment my oxygen levels decreased as well as my pulse rate. 

On a checkup with my Cardiogist, He raised my heart rate and my oxygen levels increased. He also started me on furosemide to reduce fluid. I'll go back in one month.

I was wondering if it's normal to have these adjustments to correct oxygen levels?

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Rate response

Once you have your rate response turned on and adjusted... do you ever have to do that again? Has  anyone? mine was turned on 3 years ago .... 

I want mine to operate optimal .. not just within normal limits..

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Can bpm affect oedema?

Note: not asking for a diagnosis here (well, obviously), just a steer on which route to progress first

Background: PM put in in early September and repositioned in early October (don't ask -- it just moved). AV node ablation done 22 Oct 2018; rate set to 80 bm and all was well. Hopped skipped and jumped out of the hospital (first time in 15 years).

Just after the AV node ablation I had an episode of fluid on the lungs, but was reassured that it was just 'a reaction' to...

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Programming a PM

Brand new to Forum. 2-chamber PM with rate-adaptive sensor installed October. 7 visits to PM tech since then trying to get programming optimized. Found 428-page User manual online from St. Jude. Learned there are 7 programmable functions. 3 keys one are sensor threshold, reaction time, and slope. If these are not right they can cause nasty symptoms of the type I have read about below. After expressing my frustration about programming to my EP, he offered to arrange a...

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Changed a setting

At my last Pacemaker interrogation the EP noted that I had very little activity on my report, like just walking around in his words, so he told the tech to lower a setting from high to medium and said I wouldn't feel anything different but that it would show more of my activity. Does anyone know what this means?  

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issues every 8hrs

I used to get the similar problem every 21 hrs. There was a restriction on I got it turned off. It doesn't solve everything

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pacemaker settings

before my first pacemaker in 2001, i had to be careful when and what i ate, because any sinus pressure (from burps, flatulence, etc.) would cause sinus pauses. exercise after a meal was out.

my first two pacemakers seemed to make me more tolerant of digestive goings on.

this third pacemaker, which has the same settings as the second, doesn't seem to be like that. i'm constantly troubled by what feel like pauses and bumps and just a variety of heart feelings.

i a...

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Pacing at 100%

I would highly recommend insisting on setting changes.  I was very disappointed with my ICD for the first two months.  After I got the settings maximized, I was pacing at 100%  Exactly what I needed!  So what if I needed a battery replacement 5 years later! My EF went from 20 to 45 & isn't that the point.  A squeaky wheel gets heard, sometimes!

When they were done changing my settings, while stil on the table, I got the first satisfying breath I'd ha...

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Pm setting

I have afib and controlled by medication . This has slowed My heart rate iusually between 42 to 48 .I have no symptoms of tiredness etc . I am scheduled for pm implant next week . The setting would make the pm operate almost all the time . Is there a downside , like making the heart muscles weak etc . Any long term risk.

 

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Headache

I have a question, I am 4 1/2 weeks out from having my pacemaker surgery. I have intermediate AV node block. Since my two weeks check up, and adjustments to my Settings I experience being lightheaded and headaches every evening, seems like after I exert myself a little as far as taking a shower, doing small household chores,walking to the mailbox. Is anyone else experiencing this or has experienced lightheadedness and headaches every night. Thank you

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pacemaker

Can my pacemaker be swithched off and left in situ for a trial period ?

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Member Quotes

I am no expert, but I believe that without the defibrillator that I have, I would be dead.