Most Recent Messages in Complications

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device on recall

just discovered (myself) that my guidant insignia is on recall (my serial number is specifically) I'd had device failure (complete loss of telemetry) which is specifically mentioned in the recall although this only appeared within this last 6 months and has progressed from intermittent to complete. I've had my pacer for 4 years, has anyone else had their device fail this late on after the recall? (mine was in the initial batch of recalled devices implanted before march 2004)


tha...

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Dizziness and Numbness

My dad got a pacemaker put in 2 months ago after have severe dizzy spells to the point of almost passing out. He wore a monitor for 48 hours and they discovered his heart was stopping for up to 4 seconds at a time.

After the surgery he felt fine for 3 weeks, but then started to have the episodes again. They last from a couple of minutes up to 10 minutes. During that time he is very dizzy and his right side becomes numb (his tongue, arm and leg). All through the episodes his pulse rate...

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Cardio called, V tach issues

My cardiologist called tonight, seems my chart was flagged after my pacemaker interogation. Gee it only took them 13 days to call..... anyway, he was very concerned because I had a lot of v tach going on during the pacer ck and was symptomatic. The tech had said something about they might want to add an ICD to my pacer... would they have to replace the pacemaker and put in new one with ICD? Confused and quite frankly scared. I did some research, this v tach thing sounds scary. How can I have thi...

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Burning

Hey Everyone,

I just wanted to ask if anyone had any burning around their incision site. Its been 3 weeks since my surgery and every time i touch around the incision it burns and yesterday it was oozing and bleeding. Sorry If this grosses anyone out but I just wanted some answers. It is just driving me crazy because when i move my arm it rubs my bra strap and hurts like crazy.

Thanks,
Britt

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I get better advise here than at Drs

Hello all, and hope everyone had Happy Holidays. Last week went to cardiologists for pacer check, the tech said I am now totally dependent on my pacemaker, I was in active AV Mobitz II block during the test as matter of fact. Now here is what I am astounded about. Six months ago, he told me I was pacing 0 percent atrial and 36 percent ventricle and had about 10 years left on my battery. This time, I am 100 percent both atrial and ventrical and only 3 years left on my battery! I was to say the le...

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Having a pacer repositioned

Hi everyone. I had my pacemaker put in in May 2007 and really have not had a comfortable day since. My pacemaker is very close to my armpit and borders on the edge of it. It limits my range of motion. It's uncomfortable to reach my left arm across my body to put on deodorant or reach for something. I still get pain and burning down my arm - not as bad but still get it. The area is still sensitive when touched. The doctor who put it is says "It's a little more lateral than she would like but...

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robotic lead placement

Hello, I just discovered the PM Club website, and after reading around some of your posts, I decided to join.

I am 51, and I got my ICD in March 2007. I'd only been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy (which they said was most likely caused by a virus that attacked and damaged my heart muscle) in October 2004. The first time my cardiologist mentioned the word pacemaker (about a year after my initial diagnosis), I cried. They said the cardiomyopathy, coupled with a left bundle block arrhy...

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Should I or Not!?!?

Well I just got some news that I was waiting for, however I wasnt ready for it. My EP doc that wasnt for me getting a PM told me he is leaving it up to me! Im in total shock. Yeah, I knew this was comming, but I didnt know what I would do about it. He uped all my meds and told me to think about it and get back with him. I feel horrible w/ all the meds and I dont want to rely on them forever, but then again once i choose the pm I cant go back. He said the PM would help alot but he is worried abou...

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Exit Block?

Hi- has anyone ever had exit block with their leads? I had my PM installed in August and found out today that I have exit block. I am so scared- does anyone have any input on this complication? Thanks!

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Skin irritation

Hi, I'm 14 days post op (Medtronic 2 wire) and feeling rather good actually. The wound is healing well and generally life is good. I just have a couple of niggly problems I hope someone can help me with. Firstly I feel 3 quick pulses in the pacemaker every 3 hours on the hour, it does not hurt but can be a little disconcerting. Also I have an irritation of the skin in my left armpit, there is no redness or broken skin but it feels like I have put antipersperant on too soon after shaving my arm p...

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exhaustion & sleep apnea

I had a medtronic pacemaker installed about 2 years ago for SSS. Within weeks following I felt an increased level of exhaustion. In bringing it up to my doctor he felt it was depression and started me on effexor. That didn't help and the exhaustion continued to the point that I'd become practically dysfunctional in my job...memory loss, lack of concentration, no enthusiasm. I brought myself off the effexor last summer and with continued complaints to the doctor about listlessness, was given a te...

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Computer

I have heard that some pacemakers are sensitive to computers causing a rapid heartbeat. I have a Biotronic two lead pm that was put in in Feb. 2006. I dont know if it is power of suggestion or if it really does step up my heartrate and make it beat harder. Does anyone have any comments or experience with this? Love this website. Thanks! DD

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Shocking

Hi everyone
I had my second pm in 2005, my first one was in for 17 years and no problem at all, but my second one, well what can I say. I have not been too good since having this one, it is a Medronic, that is all i know about it. At the moment it is in my left shoulder but I am having sorness around the pacing box and a little swelling. Occassionally I get small like shocking waves going down my left arm. As anyone else experienced this.
Please advice if at all possible
Thank...

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swimming

when I swim, my left arm swells up and goes numb so I have to stop for 20 seconds at the end of each length until the swelling subsides (no blood return since they put the leads in a vein).

Does anyone else experience swelling. I don't have blood clot and this happened right off the bat six years ago when I had my pacemaker.

Is there a solution to this.

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severe emphysema

aside from having total heart block for years and a pacemaker for 23 years, i'm 63. i have now been diagnosed with severe emphysema, i' really having a hard time with it. does anyone know if this is going to decrease my mortality?

have a good day and GOD BLESS,
nelson

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lawyers

abyone have any experience with lawsuits and ICD or pms? It looks like thats where we're headed. Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Kirby

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bad pm wires

hello
does any one know were to go and get updates on the bad wires i have a pm on recall but i have't seen much more about it don't know where to look i guess my email addres is huskersnb1@yahoo.com if any one want to help me out please put pm recall in heading
my model number is 6949 with the 65 mm wire
i come on here every nite to check things out
I'm suprised there aint a link here so people can go check these issues out since they are so important to us all
t...

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I don’t know what to do!

I have a Medtronic KDR701 Pacemaker for Vasovagal Syncope (on tilt table my heart stopped for 2.5 minutes). I had it implanted when I was 21 (7.5 years ago) and have had little to no problems to date except for the general discomfort of it. This week I have experienced shocks through my shoulder and have gone to get a check up. The doctor told me I have a faulty lead but that I don’t need the ventricular lead really so he simply reduced the voltage so as it wouldn’t shock me as much and told me...

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PM/ICD Problems

What a great site...wish I ahd found it years ago. I had an ICD implanted in 2002 and a little over a year later the impedence dropped drammatically. They told me that they were watching a possible lead problem but all was well. A yeaar later I went to a differant clinic to have the ICD checked and the tech flipped out and wanted me to stay in the hospital until he could get the company tech there. The company tech checked it and said "all is well". Six months later the unit failed when my heart...

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First Time Here - Question

I was really glad to find this site. I thought there has to be something like this out there. I have a couple of questions but first some of my story- the short version. I have a Medtronic pacemaker model ADDR put in on December 18, 2006 and I am feeling much better. I had spent the previous 18 months knowing something was wrong and doing a doctor route that only added to my fatigue. Why was this so hard to diagnose? I was diagnosed on December 11th with heart block 3. My heart was not just sl...

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You know you're wired when...

You have a dymo-powered bike.

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I, too, am feeling tons better since my implant.