Most Recent Messages in Checkups & Settings

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Pacemaker Interrogation

Recently at my interrogation, I was told offhandedly that I had a cardiac event on September 5th. I didn't ask what that meant but I should have. I certainly don't recall anything happening on 9/5. Does anybody know what that means when they say "cardiac event or incident?"

Thanks

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Copy of interrogations

I requested a copy of my telephone interrogation of my ICD from my doctor. I am getting a run around. Am I entitled to a copy and does anyone have a suggestion in getting it.
Thanks

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What I'd Wish I'd Known to Ask...

I've had my PM for SSS for almost 5 months. I will be meeting with a Rep. for the first time Jan 7th. Since I'm new to all of this:
Q:What should I ask him about???

I am really young, I was very active prior to heart issues, and I have several autoimmune diseases (if that makes any difference). Advice/questions to ask would be very much appreciated!!

Thank you,

Spunky_1

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Tachycardia with palpitations

Hey everyone. I am 30 years old and I have a dual lead St Jude pacemaker. I guess I should start from the beginning. In January of 2014, I started having a lot of issues. Constantly high heart rate, palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, headache and extreme fatigue. I could not walk 5 feet without my heart racing. After a few wrong doctors, I was finally referred to an electrophysiologist. By this time, it was April. She did a stress test, which I could not finish because y heart rate go...

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Landline (still) needed for monitoring...?

Hello. I've had a pacemaker most of my life and always used a land line and a corded phone to do my remote quarterly check-up, until I moved out of my parents' house. I was trying to avoid paying for a land line as I use my cell exclusively, so I asked the monitoring company if I could just put my cell phone in the cradle instead, and hey, it worked! Before I got my first of 2 new pacers last year (long story, but I still only have one) the techs told me they had a model that had wireless transm...

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Pm settings

I posted a few days ago about pm settings and would ask again... Have any of you who have pm ... Asked if your settings are optimal for you? Or when the Dr. or whoever checks it... Says everything's working fine....you don't question any further....just would like some feedback....

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Remote transmission

I recently had my first remote transmission with my St Jude Merlin.
Received my report back and it said " your device is functioning within normal limits and was successfully reviewed.

My question is... Several weeks ago I read on here someone saying " when they say your device (pm) working and doing its job" does that mean it is functioning and set to your optimum setting for you?
I thought of this when I read "functioning within normal limits" .... Is there a more optimal...

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pacemaker wifi

I was told that my wifi on my pacemaker was not on till the merlen home reader or the doctors pacemaker reader is on. I asked them to turn it off but got the above reponse. I am a computer engineer and donot believe this the pacemakers wifi is aways on to be read. Just like the vise president he had his turned off not a security risk but a cancer one I think.

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BIOTRONIC

Hi Guys,
I am a long time member aged 86 and had my second new BIOTRONIC Evia DR device implanted in April 2013 after the last one which functioned perfect for eight years. I am feeling well and have no complaints but would like to konw a good explanation on what the meaning of the check up today December 24 means:
Due to Permanent AFIB the PM implacted is of VVI-R mode.
As mentioned above I am feeling fit and have no complaints and the examining surgeon said that all was functio...

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Post 8 weeks

Well I'm now post 8 weeks, so far all is well, next month I will be going for my first interrogation. I have a couple of questions. Has anyone used the VA to do their interrogation, and if you have, what are your thoughts. Second, does the person who does the interrogation make any changes necessary on their own, or do they confer with your cardiologist. Finally, any feed back as to what I can expect on this first visit would be appreciated.

Thanks, and Merry Christmas to all.

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HOME MONITOR

HAS ANYONE HAD A PROBLEM USING THE MERLIN HOME MONITOR? WE HAVE HAD 2 AND ARE UNABLE TO GET THE DEVICES TO WORK. WE RRECENTLY WERE SENT A NEW ONE AND IT DOESN'T WORK EITHER.

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Fast Heart Rate

I am 100% pacemaker dependent because of A/V node ablation. I am set at 70 bpm. It can go up into the 80's just walking from one room to the other and I get winded with very little exercise. Is this normal or am I being paced too fast? I would appreciate any answers. Thanks.
Narda

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Concerned

Mu husband had a pacemaker fitted a year ago, diagnosed with 2nddegree heart block 34 pulse. Just been for his check up, was told that his signal was only getting through to the bottom of his heart 20%, so this is why he needs a pm, so he is using it 80% of the time, as he is an anxious person but also wants to know everything about it, he wants to know if he would be dead without the pm, on his notes it says not pacemaker dependant, he is confused, or is it about quality of your life

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Members opinions

Phone conversation with an EP nurse yesterday: Me: Lately, on the treadmill, I've noticed the max heart rate I can achieve (@ 3mph) is 115 - 120. In the not too distant past, I could get my HR up to 145. Do I need my PM adjusted to permit a higher HR? Nurse's answer: "No, since you are taking Metoprolol, that's what is keeping your pulse from climbing any higher." (BTW, I've been taking 50mg 2X daily Metoprolol, aka Lopressor, for 2 years now).
I'm suspicious of her answer-----I'm under...

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All Is Well- All Is Calm

Went to the doctor today for a medtronic testing. The reason my heart pulse goes below the 60 setting is because I like others have an extra heart beat that fools the pulse ometer. Turns out all is working correctly and I accomplished more today than in months pre- pacemaker. Thanks for all the great feedback!

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What is the correct voltage number?

What do the volt readings mean? At my 2 week check up they lowered the volts but I only know they lowered from 3.5. Is there a number we should be at or is different for each of us?

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Are You Being Followed by Telephone?

Having had one of my family members receive a device, I was shocked (no pun intended) to see that see was not being followed by remote follow-up. Her physician's office didn't have anyone adequately trained. Remote Follow-up provides a wealth of information.

I have worked with 3 out of the 5 device companies for 20+ years, and know of a great company that provides this service to cardiologist's offices. If your cardiologist is not providing this service for you, contact me directly...

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Shortness of Breath

I'm an occasional runner and a serious bicyclist which probably gave me a low heart rate 45 - 50 bpm. I've also got Parkinson's. Whereas I can perform fairly well in my sports, I have shortness of breath when walking up an incline or flight of steps without some warmup. After a series of cardio and pulmonary tests, I was diagnosed with CI. I had a pacemaker installed a couple of months ago, but I still have the SOB problem. My PM doesn't really boost my heart rate significantly until 60 sec...

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Pocket revision

Hi, Has anyone else had a pocket revision done after only 9 months with the original pacemaker. This revision has been awfull and the tech can't seem to get the settings to work for my heart. I feel tired and the extra work my heart seems to be doing is wearing me out. Could use some help. Thanks, Nanci

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Fobbed off, want settings checked

Hi everyone, I live in the UK so don't have to pay for treatment, which may have a bearing on this?!

Had my PM 3 years ago, dual chamber for bradycardia. All sort of fine till 6 weeks ago, started getting pain in chest on exertion - 10, 20, 50 paces and have to stop and rest - going upstairs on all fours.

PM clinic checked settings 3 weeks ago and found no problem - they refuse to check them again as they are convinced it is not PM problem. My GP says there is no chest pr...

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You know you're wired when...

You play MP3 files on your pacer.

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