Most Recent Messages in Complications

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problem

i have a question i have had a pacemaker/defibrillator since june 1 2005 the specialist said it was supposed to last 4 to 5 years but it is at 2.55 and they change it at 2.4 so im kind of worried about what is going to happen he said that they want me to start goin every 3 months now and he said that im gonna have a new one here shortly so if anybody has any suggestions please let me know thank you

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Infection

I have a friend in another country with a pacemaker. I also have a pacer, have had one for 16 years. His care does not seem to be what we get here in the states.
He is having some infection problems and I was wondering if any one else has had anything similar. Below is from his e-mail.

My chest where the pacemaker is, red, with streaks running out from it like the spokes on a wheel. Also in the center of the red area is a black spot about size of 5c coin

I had a docto...

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Shoulder Pain

Hi,
My new PM has given me another problem. That of shoulder pain and limited range of motion. I am working with a PT but he thinks we will have to try something different soon as he thinks I have a "pinched nerve". If the PT can't fix this, can a pinched nerve be corrected without surgery. What could have caused the pinched nerve?
Thank you,
Don

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Jumping ???

I have been having jumps in my side but it is the side opposite side as my PM !!!! I asked my cardiologist and he told me some people live with it well I am DEFINANTLY one of them .
I would like to know if anyone else is feeling this .Plus I feel like it always happens in class or in the store . I don't know but it is weird.
Thanks , Pacemakerkid !!!

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shoulder, neck arm pain

I am currently in physical therapy because of pain since my P.M. was inserted- also a marked lack of mobility on my left side. The P. T. has definately helped with my range of motion but I still have fairly constant shoulder discomfort. Anyone else have this and did you find a satisfactory solution?
Bonnie

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Laser Surgery to Remove leads/time

I have had my pacemaker since 2000 - my pacemaker dislodged in December - it is now infected and I am in so much discomfort. I am having sugery TOMORROW - my doctor (NYC) is removing the pacemaker and leads, I also have excessive scar tissue and he will use the laser to "clean it up" - He is putting in a new pacemaker on the right side. Does anyone know how long the surgery will take ? I found a site and read that to remove a lead takes 2-4 hours!!!!! the discomfort after the surgery cann...

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please help

hi im 27 and have just joined the site after having my pacemaker fitted 3wks ago. im concerned as i still feel nt much better i am dizzy /foggy/unsteady all the time have headaches blurred vision feel detached from reality and ive had had this for 5yrs i ended up having a pacemaker as when i had my appendix removed they found my heart rate was low and had 24hr recordings after that which was showing my heart rate dropping to 37bpm to 49bpm to 117bpm. im so tierd and want to get on with my life a...

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Problems performing

Hi,
Have any men with a new pacemaker, say within 7 months, had any difficulty reaching a climax while having sex? Ever since I received my pacemaker, I haven't been the same. Has anyone else experienced anything similar? Thank you. Bill

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Bi Chamber Pacemaker

As per my earlier posting as I am suffering from extensive breathlessness which became noticable after my Dual Chamber PM was placed, I am now told that I am to have a new BI Chamber version to try and stop this. Has any one else had this problem? I do not have heart disease per say just AF... But I now feel like the walking dead most of the time.. Has anyone else had a problem with the way their own heart reacts to the artificial paceing beat....As it would appear this is what is causing my pr...

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If its going to happen, it will happen to me!

I have a long history of medical problems eg. ovarian cysts, hysterectomy, bowel rupture resulting in 2 failed colostomy's and a functioning ileostomy up till 2000. While walking my dog in the park about 3 years ago I had a sudden episode of really rapid heart rate. I went to the doctor the next day and was fobbed off with it being a panic attack. This I knew was not what had happened so made another appointment with my regular GP and she referred me to the local hospital cardiac clinic. After m...

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STRANGE ACTIVITY

I have St Jude IntegrityAFxDR Model 5346 for complete heartblock fitted 6 yrs, no probs todate. 2 weeks ago I returned from holiday on Airbus 320( never used these before) and at end of flt felt unwell and for 2 weeks to today have had AF type palpitations in chest throat and top of tum, went for checkup today and was told that it was malfunctioning and only pacing in one chamber and all the data had to be rebooted? and the pacer reset. Consultant is sending info to St Jude but I am flying (737)...

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Pacemaker dislodged/Surgery Thurs.

Pacemaker dislodged/Surgery Thurs.
Comment posted by kathy22 on 2008-04-01 08:25.
I went to my cardiologist in NYC yesterday - the Medronic pacemaker that was implanted in 2000 (see above for reason for 3rd surgery). I have a mess on the left side - the burning is from my collar bone to the top of my breast. I cannot move from one position to another without severe burning/pain - I am having surgery this Thursday to put a new pacemaker on the right side and "clean-up" the left side wh...

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Heart Failure!

I agree with DD. It may well be true that I am at a higher risk of dying from CHF now that I have a pacemaker, but it just so happens that without my pacemaker I would actually already be dead.
I am happy for you Robin if you are either not with pacemaker or only atrially paced, but for many of us there were no options in whether we got a PM or not. I have had two extra years so far, to watch my son grow up a bit, that I would not have had without this wonderful bit of technology and hope i...

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Study regarding heart failure and ventricular pacing

Hello All

The study I am refering to was done by cardiologists from the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School of New Brunswick
as follows:

Pacemaker study sees increase in heart failure rates
Filed under: Cardiology


Worrisome results, in a study of patients with implanted pacemakers, have been published by a group of cardiologists from the UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick. The New Jersey Star-Ledger reports:

Pati...

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Ventricle pacing and heart failure

Hello all:

I'm going to this issue again of right ventricle pacing potentially causing syptoms of heart failure. Don't want to alarm anyone but I have read some abstracts from some studies that indicate the possibility of this occuring. i have a lead in my right atrium and right ventricle for 2nd degree AV block. My SA node works fine so my atrium is not paced. BUT my ventricle is paced 90% of the time.

The studies seem to indicate that pacing the right ventricle, espe...

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Pacemaker Dislocated/Severe burning

My pacemaker dropped!! I had 3 surgeries at this site (long story) I have been in pain for 3 months- I went to my cardiologist in Jan. he wanted to wait to see if the tissue around the pacemaker would heal. I have excessive scar tissue due to the previous surgeries. The burining is unbearable. They think the pounch has been stretched and is pulling ( my pacemaker is to the left of my arm pit!!!!!!!It . I am going today and I have no idea what to expect- Has anyone experienced this????

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pacemaker placement

Hi, I'm so happy I just found this site. I'm a very thin 39 yr old female, I had my 1st pacemaker put in this Jan. It seems like it is sticking too far over toward my underarm. Everytime, I move my arm, I feel it, it hurts to sleep on that side, it hurts when I use my left arm too much. Is anyone else having these type of problems?? The Dr. dismissed my complaints. Thanks for any help

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Beta Blockers

I keep seeing people ask quesitons about beta blockers. Maybe the following will answer a question or two.

by Jill Ferguson, PhD

Negative inotropic drugs - beta blockers - lessen the heart's workload by decreasing the rate and the strength of the heartbeat. These effects decrease the amount of blood that the heart pumps, the blood pressure in the vessels and the amount of oxygen that the heart uses. The action of these drugs also leads to a decrease in the electrical acti...

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robot

Once in 4th grade I told my friend about my pacer and for the rest of the year I got called Robot by her for the rest of the year. She was really mean.If anyone has advice on how to deal with this stuff, then please leave a comment.

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been a while~!~

Hey pacemaker friends!! Its been a while! Well for those of you who dont know me my name is Rachel. I got my first pm Jan 2008. I just wanted to know if it is normal for the pain around the site to get worse! I mean its not like it was the first week after the pm inplant. But the skin around there is so sore now!! I just dont know why. I know my left brest is pulling on it....but dang! hehe Miss ya all!

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My pacemaker has ultimately saved mine and my unborn child’s life for which I am thankful.