Most Recent Messages in Checkups & Settings

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Does anyone have the rate drop feature

Hi,

I have had a pacemaker for a couple of years now for AV block type 2. Rate response is off and I am using the pacemaker about 8% of the time apparently.

Last week, I had an episode of syncope that resulted in some significant facial injuries. I cut and broke my nose (it now points due East). I was on holiday in Japan at the time and was unable to get my pacemaker checked out there. I did have an interrogation done as soon as I returned to the UK. The pacemaker checked o...

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Heart rate low

First post...here goes.
I just had my 2nd icd implanted 3/2/15. I'm 100% VP and never had an issue with slow heart rate before. Twice now in the last 2 weeks my bpm dropped into the 35-40 range for several minutes. Low range on the device is set to 50 so first time went to ER, second time went directly to EP office. Both times they increased the output- 1st time to 3V second to 5V. Leads tested good and EP said no oversensing or other issues with device. Does this sound familiar to anyon...

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Rate response

Have had a monitor on this weekend as still having some kind of arrhythmia problems which do not seem to be getting any better. Question, was out for a gentle cycle ride and a walk round some botanic gardens and had the awful tight feeling in sternum/neck with which I could keep going with but felt uncomfortable (this feeling is with me most of the time),however on the way home was aware that I was feeling good and the tightness had gone. It was almost as if I had to meet a certain rhythm, has c...

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Normal limits?

I just received my remote transmission report from EP dept. they state " your device is functioning within Normal Limits"
I desire optimal function and wonder about within normal limits?
I have appt with cardiologist Friday and would like to have questions regarding this to ask him.
I had battery replaced last July and have only had remote transmission checks... Not one yet in office.

Any feedback appreciated. I also have read about rate response etc... just want opt...

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Bruising

I recently had a pacemaker interrogation and two days later noticed a large bruise right over the PM site. I can't find any information about this and am wondering if anyone else has had this happen. I also take warfarin

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Add lead

Doctor says they may have to go back in and add another lead to my pacemaker. I have two now, he said we may need three - anybody else had that problem? Also, he said that if they do that, they will "tuck" the pacemaker behind the chest muscle to prevent it from moving around like it has been. Wish me luck!

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Interrogations

Had a doctors appointment cancelled for this Friday in Arizona before we head back north to our home. The physician was called out of the country per family emergency. Their office wanted to set up new appointment for June, but with the weather heating up near high hundreds, this won't be possible.
My question is how often does one need to be interrogated. Feeling wonderful and l was interrogated in November when we arrived in Arizona. Is it necessary to be interrogated back home or...

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4 month checkup

I go tomorrow for my checkup, wondering what I should ask? I have no idea about settings or how much I am pacing. My husband was told after my implant that I was now 100% dependent as I went into total block in surgery.
I have to have an ultrasound tomorrow as there is a lump at end of collar bone since implant and they want to check it.
Input welcome....:-)

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Pacemaker setting

I have has a BIOTRONIK Evia pacemaker for 17 months. I had it adjusted last month so the sensor went from low to medium. This is not technical but when my blood pressure drops when I stand ( due to orthostatic hypotension) my heartrate jumps. My pacer reads the blood pressure changes and the medium setting means it is more sensitive to blood pressure drops and will jump my heartrate more quickly, This pacer is good for people with dysautonomia.

Well I hate the setting change. It has...

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todays checkup

Good report today. Am paced less that 1% of time. 5 short episodes of a fib in last 6 months, all less than 10 seconds. 2 VT both less than 3 seconds. Turned on PMT intervention for first time , all other settings same. Cardiologist not upset that I discontinued rythmol because of so many side effect. Stated of afib becomes a problem to call him and he will schedule ablation for offending node. Thank you to all who supported me in the past difficult year Trish

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Hypoxia, oxygenation from incorrect PM settings?

Hello all--

I have a question no one else has been able to answer.

If a Pacemaker is not set correctly can it cause chronic Hypoxia/cellular oxygenation depletion?

I had a major systemic collapse in 12/12 and for the past 2 years I have suffered from chronic hypoxia that could not be clinically explained However, a new St.Jude's tech started tweaking my PM in 8/12 and 12/12--then in 10/13 new cardiologist (at Kaiser...) put in infected generator--had to have i...

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check tomorrow

Will have check 6 month of pm tomorrow morning. What should I expect or ask? Then to see cardiologist immediately after. Was on rythmol but quit 2 months ago on my own because of side effects ( chest pain ,SOB, Joint pain, insomnia. tiredness and depression and final blow -paresthesia of,hands and feet. ) All this is gone. Now feel wonderful, sleep well and can do heavy garden work etc. How shall I tell cardiologist? Trish

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recently moved

Hi, I recently moved from Ca. to Nv. My pacer was put in 9/2013 & cardiologist checked it every 4 mo.I do not have a cardiologist yet in Nv. I haven't had it ck. since Nov 2014, should I be concerned?

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HR increase with minimal exercise

I have had a medtronic mri compatiable PM implanted one month ago. I have notice that if I walk just from the kitchen to bedroom my HR jumps to 105 or so. This does not seem normal to me. Is it the rate response setting? Any input?
Thanks

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What shows up on PM check

Hello,
Have read some recent messages about AFib and pulsatile tinnitus. I am 4 weeks tomorrow post fitting of dual lead St Jude and still getting the feeling that my heart rate is going to fast 90/100 doing not a lot for up to 30minsand at night the tinnitus occurs when I turnover, also getting some diaphragm pacing. (there was mention of having to move a lead but my own cardiologist thought I would be ok.) At my last check up a week ago the was no evidence of arrhythmia but I felt plenty...

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A Great Day!

Hi everyone! Got my PM 5 wks ago tomorrow. Had an interrogation today & then saw the EP, who is happily releasing me from all restrictions at work, with a stern admonition to ease back into going 110% again.
The EP was really pleased with my report, didn't want any adjustments, cut the flecainide by half since I had no Afib (woo-hoo!) and told the nurse to schedule me for a checkup in 6 months!
The Medtronic guy who did the interrogation was great and cheery. He explained a few thin...

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Fine tuning

At my post implant (2nd PM) appt. with my EP, he performed a procedure no one else ever has. He explained having both ventricles "fire" at the exact same time may seem a worthy goal but, all of us are different. He took me to the echocardiogram tech along with the PM device tech and performed the following: With the Medtronic "mouse" hung over my PM, he would instruct the device nurse to change the timing (+or- 10, 20, 30, 40 etc milliseconds) while watching the Doppler report of how well the...

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What to Expect

I have paroxysmal AFib which was not cured by two ablations and cardioversions. Then I got atrial flutter as well which would not respond to drugs so I now have the pacemaker, followed by AV node ablation and I have to say, I am doing really well these days.

I know that the upper chambers of the heart now are isolated from the lower ones, so that the random electrical impulses are not transmitted through and the lower ventricles are paced.

Just puzzled though, as some nig...

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Feeling faint again

Hi all, I'm coming up on 2 years with my PM and have another checkup this week. Just within the past 2-4 months I've been getting that same faint feeling that was the original sign of my heart issue (bad AV node - complete heart block). It actually happened earlier last year and the doctor said all was fine with the PM and I was probably dehydrated. Have any of you experienced recurring faint feelings even after your doctor has said the PM is working fine? I want to make sure I ask the doct...

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Good News at 4 month Interrogation!

Hi All,

Went for my 4 month PM Interrogation yesterday and my EP told me that i'm now only paced 40% (was 90% at previous interrogation!) and batt should last 9-10 years!

Had quite a few SVT's but only short with max 162 bpm, he said likely Sinus Tach.

I dont look forward to the part where they test the PM during interrogation though! EP said my HR jumped 20+ beats just talking about it!

It seems like my problems were made dramatically worse by my pa...

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Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.