Most Recent Messages in Complications

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thanks!

Thanks to everyone who responded to my message yesterday (side effects of pacemakers). The responses are reassuring! I'm sorry to have caused anyone unnecessary anxiety. At the end of the day, most of us here are alive/functioning better because of these devices and I wouldn't want to put anyone off having one on the basis of 'hearsay'.
This site is always a great resource for information that is not always easy to find elsewhere, and Im really grateful to you all for your time.
Best...

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side effects of PMs

Hi everyone,
Ive just come back from a regular PM check (in the UK) and was told that I am being paced about 25% of the time. The doctor said this was 'good'- I said, 'why- because my battery will last longer?' and he said, 'yes, but also because your heart is unlikely to be damaged by pacing at this level'.

I didn't ask for any more details at the time but now I'm starting to wonder about what he said. This is the first time I had heard of this- perhaps I have been living in a...

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swelling, feels like heart beating hard

Received my pm last December. I have lost a little weight, but not enough (I don't think) that it would make the pm show so much. Sometimes I get a lot of swelliing around it, I can feel the leads. IT was placed under my clavical. My doctor and surgeon have both checked it out and said it was fine, the leads are stable, but I just have a feeling that there is something not right. Any suggestions???? thanks.

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PVC's?

Has anyone had what feels like constant PVCs? My pacemaker was adjusted like 3 weeks ago and i have been having palpitations what feels like PVCs ever since...constantly!!! I have been having trouble sleeping too!! Because ill fall asleep and it wakes me up! I went back to the doctor and he wouldnt listen too me! I dont know what to do!
April

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Hot flashes and problems laying on side

My husband is 34 and just had a CRT-D installed on Friday. He is doing well except for a few things:

He is experiencing hot flashes with chills at the same time (no fever). these haooen at random times while inactive.

And when he lays on his right side he is having what he describes as hard heart beats.

Has anyone had any experiences like this?

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Pacemaker seems to have moved

Hi everyone,

I am almost in my 8th week since pm plant. I notice that my pacemaker has moved up more. It is very close to my left collarbone. Actually, when I feel it, there is about a "fingertip" between them. Has anyone else experienced this? And if so, is it safe? I sort of feel it, and it seems much closer. I am worried that my leads are in the way and going to get broken. I do go again this coming Friday to the Cardiologist and also to get my PM check. So I am going to me...

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Muscle spasms?

I have had a dual lead PM for 11 months. Last night I started have small muscle spasms or something similar just below the PM. They didn't hurt, but were aggravating. They happened about every forty seconds or so and lasted for less than 5 seconds. They finally quit after about 12 hours. Any experiences or thoughts on this would be appreciated.

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swelling and incision

I had the pacemaker/defibulator put in on 7/3/07, since them it has been swollen and very painful, then I had to go back in because my incension busted open, they restitched it put me back on antibiotics, home health care. Now going on my 4th month its still swollen ans now I have a opening about 1inch long in my incision ang a bubble of blood. The doctor says he has never seen this before and does not know what step to take next. This is ugly painful and causes me pain. Does any one out there...

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Dependancy on pacemaker

Hi,

Last one month I am in dilemma. I was excessively sweating
when I was at physical job in my professional field. Reported the matter to Cardiologist. Feed back was fully dependant on PM. Reason was Stress, Anxiety and less exercise. Gone to my Home town. Shown to the programmer of Biotronik Dealer.
He also told the same thing. Doctor told after re chekups that I am suffering from cervical spondilitis. Due to that I am sinking
sometimes. After implantation I got some...

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7 weeks post PM dual chamber

Hi! I just joined today. I've read some of the postings over the last couple weeks. I was under the impression that I'd be uncomfortable for a couple days or so, but have had several different pain problems, some of which have improved.
During the surgery something painful happened (I think it was insertion of PM) that woke me up + stopped my heart for about 20 seconds. Since then I've had sore throat/neck, armpit, breast, pacemacker pocket, and back..all on the left side. The throat/...

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Jolts in Chest

I'm sorry I forgot to add to my comments about the jolts in the chest that my pacemaker has been checked several times by the Medtronics rep and the leads are working well and firing about 33% of the time. None of the jolts or any problems were picked up by the check. Strange????

Georgeh4

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Jolts in Chest

Hi- I'm 4 months into my Medtronic dual lead pacemaker for bradycardia, slow heartbeat. The process has worked fine after the initial anxiety issues but recently have experienced what I call jolts to my chest (not electronic) as if someone punched me that makes my body jump up a bit. This only happens in the evening while laying down and reading or watching TV,. There is no pain, just a jolt or bump in the mid chest area.
I am on Metoprolol .25 mg.Has anyone experienced this and found out w...

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Re PM and weight loss

Hi Everyone

Just reading the previous posts regarding PM movement and weight, and wanted to say congratulations to Peggy and Belly321 with your weight loss – well done!!

Future new pacer here with a quick question. I’m 36, always battled with my weight, but since my complete heart block diagnosis 5 months ago, I’ve been off work sick, told not to do anything that makes me dizzy or SOB (which even a short, steady walk brings on, so my gym membership is suspended). Consequent...

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Lightheadedness

Hi,
I had my PM implanted 6/1/07 and have felt like it is helping alot. I have recently felt lightheaded ( almost like my eyes were dialated and everything was bright ) when I go into certain grocery stores. I know it sounds silly, but I'm wondering if those cooling cabinets, etc. are putting out a magnetic field that is affecting my PM. Anyone else ever had anything like this?
Thanks,
Jack

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Thanks for help

Don, Thanks for the info. I just finished reading about someone else who had a similar problem and it too was a broken lead. I have always been concerned because my unit "flops" when I lay on my right side. I am calling the docs now. Thanks again.
Vangie

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Pacemaker firing

Hi, I had a dual pacemker implanted 2 months ago for sick sinus syndrome. The pacer is on demand and working less than 1% of the time. For the past three days the pacer is firing more often and I am feeling the pacing (very bothersome sensation). Is there anyone outthere with the same problem. My EP has not given me a straight answer. I want to know if this is something I have to live with or not.

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1st Time Pacer,......Scared.

Hello All,

My wife is 30 years old and her EP performed several eblations 4 years ago due to acute tachy. Now she has Sick Sinus Syndrone, Arythmia (with pauses consistanty between 3-6 seconds), MVP, and sporatic blood pressure. She has passed out 4 times within the past month, believably because of her pulse remaining in the upper 30's while laying down and mid 40's while moving. Her EP wants to put in a single chamber pacemaker.

My wife's name is Amy, she is small framed...

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localized pulsation

Has anyone ever experienced or heard of anything like this? If I sit hunched forward the muscles under and near my pacemaker unit pulsate. At first I thought it only a muscle twitch, but after several episodes (and other position changes are being added to my "list") I was able to assure myself it is an actual pulse - same rate as radial. I recently had the experience of being able to see it pulse through my clothing. I have been completely unsuccessful in finding information anywhere else....

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Wife of Husband who died after getting PM

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to write you all back. I'm very frustrated. I just now got the death certificate, after two months! And I'm not surprised to hear everyone say that it wasn't their fault and that he died of natural causes. What bothers me is that I now have most of his medical records and he has had tachycardia problems from the very beginning. I don't understand why they've never put a defib in him. I also know that when we first found that he had a problem because they had...

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General weakness

I had a Medtronic two lead pm installed in December of 2006. Two weeks ago the EP adjusted it. Since then I have felt progressively more weak and tired. In addition I have a aching left arm and hand. Yesterday it got so bad I went to the ER. They found nothing else wrong, but could not check my PM.

Today it is back again. Called cardio and they said the PM could not be causing those symptoms. I insisted and am going to see the Meditronic rep today at 1PM Pacific time.

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