Most Recent Messages in General Posting

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Return of PMT?

To set the stage, I am an 80 year old female with complete heart block.  My pacemaker is a dual chambered St. Jude/Abbott that I've had almost 4 years.  

About six months ago my fatigue issues worsened to the point that the simplest of household chores or short walks caused my heart rate to rise to 130.  I would then need to lay down and rest for a few minutes before resuming the chore.  I have had several adjustments over the years including...

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Dual chamber Leadless pacemakers are doing great in initial trials!

I would ask you guys to read this article. I don't know if it was posted previously by anyone here previously but I am a little excited about this !! here is the link. It was published just 17 days ago ! https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2023/05/20/cleveland-clinic-led-trial-shows-dual-chamber-leadless-pacemaker-system-to-be-safe-and-effective-for-patients-with-heart-rhythm-issues/

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Major dental extraction

Thought I should share this.  3 weeks ago underwent my first adult dentition extraction - upper 8 molar (i.e 3rd molar tooth) with 4 large roots. My dentist warned me that there was a significant risk that this extraction might create a connection between my mouth and the maxillary antrum on that side.  As I'm a proven nasal carrier of Staph Aureus (happily methicillin sensitive, so MSSA and *not* MRSA) I said that I would need prophylactic antibiotic cover.  Turns out that...

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Reasons of anxiety

After reading like hundreds of posts in this sweet little community, I came to the conclusion that post op anxiety is very common. Even I have suffered from it and still kind of suffering. I can confirm that the anxiety and depression comes from thinking of our future with the pacemaker. Basically the main concerns are like what will happen to our leads in long run , what might happen if the lead extraction surgery goes wrong, what might happen if some pacemaker induced cardiac problems occur...

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Members Gallery

Why when I post a JPG it posts upside down?  Can someone explain how to fix this?

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Driving pre pacemaker

Hi

Waiting for a pacemaker precibed because of Bundle Branch Block.  Had 4 incidents of shortness of breath due to low heart rate (in 3 years, latest 6 months ago) only one caused a faint, 3 have been early AM when asleep in bed and the fainting one first thing after breakfast.  

Had 24hr tape monitor which was a waste of time as nothing happened! 

Medics making noises about driving but nothing in writing and am currently not driving voluntarily...

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Long Distance Travel with my Pacemaker

Everyone has some worry and stress over traveling long distance with our pacemakers.  I have taken three long distance trips over the past 18-months with no issues.  I just recently to a 23 day holiday in Japan on an 11 hour flight from San Francisco to Tokyo with no issues.

I did monitor my oxygen rate as the aircraft are pressurized to 7,500 feet.  My O2 level did drop from 98% to 91% while at altitude but it was not an issues and returned to normal after landing.

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AV node Ablation

Hi fellow members,

I am interested to hear from anyone who has had the above and their experience, good or bad. Are you happy with the outcome. Has it made life easier, can you breathe and exercise more.?

I ask because my Cardiologist believes I may need one as my meds Bisoprolol and PM are not working well as my arrhythmias are still giving me problems.

I have Bradycardia and Tachycardia hence the PM and meds and it's hard to get the balance right.

I know that the...

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message for new members

During house keeping, I often come across questions in the Bio of new members, questions that will clearly not be seen by the majority of us unless we hit upon these by chance.  This leaves a new member without any support and answers from Pacemaker Club members when they most need it.

While we all appreciate a Bio being completed to give us some useful information about a new member, information like their reason for their pacemaker or ICD and anything else the...

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Alcohol?

What are folks views on drinking alcohol after having pacemaker  inserted? Just something  such as a pre dinner drink.

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Pacemaker Feedback Requested

Hi,

I have refused to get a pacemaker for years, though it continues to be strongly recommended by my cardiologists. I think at this point I may need to accept that I have to have one. 

Can anyone give share how it feels with one implanted? Does is show? I'm fairly thin and I'm afraid it will stick out and be apparent with the blouses I wear for work. How difficult is it getting into security for airports and concerts? Any advice for me would be appreciated....

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His Bundle pacing

Hi,

Does anyone have any data showing which hospitals in the UK are most successful at HIS bundle lead placement?

Thanks

John

 

 

 

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MRI -

Has anyone experienced trouble when having the pacemaker put into safe mode before an MRI?  
Yesterday I experienced a type of electric shock, or similar. Halfway through the technician doing what he does. It lasted about one or two seconds and was horrid. The technician said All done now, I felt as though I'd been tasered. And I really didn't recover for about 12 hours. 
I hope I never need another one. 

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body temperature

Recently, during a late-in-life realization, I recalled that the temperature of one's body is directly related to one's heart rate. Just last Friday I experienced hey fever, but took my temperature a few times over a few days to be sure (took a Covid-19 test too, negative). My body temperature was in the normal range.

So, this begs the question, can pacemaker patients still have an increased body temperature from a flu/cold/covid? And, if so, how does the pacemaker adjust or not...

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Cardiologist just recommended I get a pacemaker

Hi!

I went to the emergency room back in April for heart palitations and slow heartbeat. I have worn a heart monitor for 30 days.

The cardiologist telephoned me today and said that he recommends that I get a pacemaker.

My question is how slow is too slow? My heart has always been slow but I do think it has slowed down the last 5-10 years. I am 58.

I have never fainted and my blood oxygen is always fine. I struggle with fatigue though. I actually had massive t...

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Biotronik CLS advice

Hi am new to this group.  Diagnosed with Chronotropic Incompetence being driven by my cancer treatment meds.  In bradycardia - 38 bpm at rest.  Recent treadmil test confirmed the CI with max of 90 bpm.  No AV block.  Getting the Biotronik CLS pacemaker (not sure of the model) since I have been told it will help me be less tired and respond the best during walking, gardening and cycling which are my main activities.  I have read a lot of great posts and have deter...

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Immune system...

QQ : Was seeing my nurse last night for that feminine test we all love - and she spotted on my notes re: pacemaker and she said "Oh, you'll need a pneumonia vaccine now" ... and I'm here "but I'm not old :D " ... and she said "Your immune system is compromised now, so you'll need this. It won't stop you getting pneumonia, but will lessen the chances of you being hospitalized"  .... 

.... really? 

I did...

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Not sure what this means?

Hello all I hope you are okay,

 

I just was sorting through my filing and I came across a hospital letter from november, it stated that’s my echo at GOSH showed ‘significant aortic dilatation’,

but then I have been told by JR ( my current hospital) that my heart is structurally and functionally good, and there is nothing structurally wrong with it. I’m not sure if that makes any sense? 
 

I have read that aortic dil...

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Pacemaker Memory Storage Question

Hi! This is probably a weird question but--Does anyone know if the newer pacemakers (I have a Medtronic Azure placed in 2022) have any data storage of their own or is it just enough storage to hold small bits of info until the app sends its next transmission? It seems like the Medtronic app sends info constantly throughout the day, which is great. However, I accidentally had the app off for several days without realizing it which made me curious if all the info that would have been collected...

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Pacemaker with Medications

Hello all, I have Atrial Fibrillation (SSS), I have always been fit and used to have a resting pulse rate of 58 and BP of 120/80. One day I collapsed and was found to have AF.

My first cardiologist prescribed a beta blocker which lowered my blood pressure to 90/60 and my pulse rate to 45 but did nothing to stop the AF.

I found a new cardiologist who stopped the beta blocker and prescribed amiodarone which has worked very well, it gave me my life back, no AF, no side effects, I cou...

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Member Quotes

I love this new part of me, and very, very thankful that this technology exists and I know that it's all only going to get better over time.