Most Recent Messages in Checkups & Settings

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PM service

Morning All

I've bemoaned the quality of my local cardiology service before but I think it's hit a new low.

In 18 years, it's gone from local hospital 6 monthly face to face clinics to annual "virtual device clinics" i.e a download and a phone call.

A recent letter now says that I will only get a return phone call if the numbers don't look right.

So you could go years without even speaking to someone.

It's worrying when combined with...

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Algorithms to Reduce Ventricular Pacing

Further to a conversation with another forum member, I’ve been taking a fresh look at VP (ventricular pacing) prevention algorithms - in particular the VIP algorithm (Ventricular Instrinsic Preference) which is programmed on my Abbott pacemaker.

I try to keep an open mind, and to this end I’d like to even up some of the posts I have made on this forum which have related my experiences with this algorithm and PMT (pacem...

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Different recommendations on each visit still cannot get it right.

Hello

I have recently returned from toronto where I was checked before receiving my remote monitor.  I was hoping for better help with my PM as after 5 months and 6 pror appointments, they still cannot agree on settings.  All but one one left me SOB and exhausted and set me back on my exercise program to almost post op.  Another symptom which is really problematic for me is brain fog or confusion, memory and focusing issues.  So on the 6th I was with the cardiologist...

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'Your Pacemaker is Working Normally'

Many people on this forum receive the message that their pacemaker is working normally when they report symptoms and unexpected rhythms.  This can be really frustrating as we are often unable to provide a reasoned argument in response which ensures that our concerns are default in certain circumstances.

This article explains some of the things which may be happening and which may be worth discussing with your techs if you cannot get to the bottom of symptoms when you are told that...

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PACs every other beat after pacemaker check

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this forum. I recently had a pacemaker placed for sinus node dysfunction. It's a single lead right atrial pacemaker, Medtronic Azure XT SR MRI. 

Last week I went for my first pacemaker check. My setting at implant were a rate of 70-120. During the device check they added a nighttime setting for 60-120. Before I could get home, I was having PACs every other beat. It didn't stop so they readjusted my rate to 85-120 to get ahead of the PACs. I...

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Tired all of the time

Hello all, 

I am 35, female and have a Medtronic pacemaker for complete heart block that was implanted in 2018. I just received a call from a tech from my doctors office that they need to see me in 2 days to check everything out. They said one of the leads that is supposed to be pacing 100% of the time was "offline" for about 3 seconds. I did not have any symptoms associated with this but they just want to double check. 
 

the reason I am here posting...

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pacemaker info

Recently had a six month check-up.  All is working as it should I guess. One thing was said ,but I didn't ask for an explanation, is "it's 15% for the top chamber and 25% for the lower chamber". Any explanation about that.  All I heard was "everyting is fine working the way it should"  and I was out of there.

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Boston Scientific Programmer

Hi!
Does anyone else have a Boston Scientific programmer??

 

Thx!  Nick

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Closed Loop Simulation (CLS)

Hi there.  I've read quite a few other posts on this subject but (as everyone always thinks ;-)) none quite match my situation.

I'm a pretty fit and active 62-y-o in England who walks lots and runs at least one and often 2 or more 5km runs each week.  

But I'd been really struggling since the Spring.  After tests, I was fitted with a pacemaker for total heart block in August.  It's a Bitronik.  Accoring to the certificate it's mode...

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SAM event - respiratory sensor disabled

Hi!  I got a call from my pacemaker clinic about my last remote interrogation on my crt pacemaker  and they were telling me that the sensor that is in place for monitoring respiratory rate was disabled due to interference and noise.  It was interesting because all I was doing when it was disabled, was most likely laying in bed.  It's called a SAM or sensory artifact moniitor and is programmed to turn off if it detects any interference or noise.  It's on the at...

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Missed Beats?

I'd like to consult the group wisdom on what I assume are missed beats. The symptoms happen at night. I feel ‘beat, beat, pause, beat, beat, pause’ and this can go on a bit. I sometimes feel underlying atrial arrhythmia. Both are intermittent and don't happen every night. I wake up feeling groggy and a bit nauseous when they happen. Can anyone shed any light on these ‘missed heart beats’ and whether they could be settings related or progression of what has...

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Medtronic Pacemaker Monitoring

I had a Medtronic pacemaker implanted on 23/09/28. Apparently there are two options when it comes to monitoring the pacemaker. One is a remote monitoring unit that is supplied by Medtronic and the other is an Medtronic app that runs on a smartphone. I was wondering if any members have had any experience with either of the monitoring systems. I would deeply appreciate any thoughts regarding the monitoring solutions.

Regards,

Rufe

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Almost 2 years

Hi 

I'm not far off 2 years since pacemaker fitting ( duel chamber )

I'm now told I'm permanently in AF , but they didnt tell me what it means . They did mention referring me back to arithma nurses ! 

Also during last check up , they said I'd feel a bit light headed! I ended up half on the floor / half on the chair . I remember shouting " s**t " as a kneejerk reaction to what ever they did !! To say I had a wave wash over me is an understa...

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First pacing appointment

Hi - I have AFib and a pacemaker fitted 5 weeks ago. My first pacing appointment / checkup is next week but apart from not really knowing what to expect I'm thinking about the kinds of questions I should be asking. There is the possibility of an AV node ablation. It would be really helpful to hear thoughts on useful questions. I am in the UK 

Thanks

Trixie 

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Weird Rate Drop Feeling?

So I had my device implanted in 2018, and up until about 2 months ago my only complication has been super ventricular tachycardia and periods of rate drop that I didn't feel.

About 2 months ago I started feeling weird, kind of like on a roller coaster, and I used a pulse oximeter to keep an eye on my pulse. I would find that while sitting in bed doing absolutely nothing my heart rate would drop to 50bpm and then suddenly Spike to 90 BPM and hold for about 2 minutes. This cycle would...

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Heart racing

I am new to all this. Got pacemaker July 19.  Did great until last month. Now not everynight though i feel palpations and racing heart.  No one here in my area seems very knowledgeable.   The nurse called today and says its doing it during nightly test and they can turn off testing.  Says this happens in less than 1 percent of population.  However a few of those nights I had nightmares so i am quite unsure.  I havent had plapations like that since before my...

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Follow-up after first EP Clinic appointment today

Hello, Everyone,

I learned quite a bit today at my EP Clinic appointment that hopefully will help me feel better. I started my discussion with describing how I felt.

My rate was changed from 60-130 to 50-110 to help reduce the spike in heart rate I feel when I initiate activity.  If I feel I need a change, I can make an appointment and the Biotronik rep will be there. 

My atrium is pacing at 80% and my lower chamber at 9%.  The tech explained that the 80% paci...

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First EP Clinic Appointment

Hello Everyone,

My pacemaker was implanted at the end of June following a 12-second pause.  I have my first EP Clinic appointment tomorrow (following the initial appointment a week after implantaton) and I plan to ask about my settings.  In a past post, Gemita offered some terrific questions to pose and those are on the top of my list. 

My queston today: If my settings are changed, how soon might I expect to feel a difference? 

Currently, my heart rate ju...

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Monitoring device

Am going on holiday 3 weeks and wondering how the device monitors as I am away for such a long time. 

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Base Rate and Rest Rate Settings

As a larger athletic person, I've always had a lower than average resting heart rate. When I got my pacemaker in August, they programmed it for a base rate of 60. I thought, that's fine, let's just let it go while my heart gets adjusted to having a PM. Later I determined the PM (St Jude/Abbott Assurity) also has a Resting Rate feature that is disabled. After a 30-day interrogation I see that my atrium is being significantly paced, about 25% of the time, but virtually only at...

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