Most Recent Messages in Checkups & Settings

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New pacemaker “kicks in”

I had a PM inserted two weeks ago today. I was told there would be a period of adjustment as my body became accustomed to it. I don't feel I received as much information as I needed and was happy to find this site to answer some of my questions as I was experiencing things. By way of information I have a dual chamber Biotronic PM to address Bradychardia as a result of second grade AV heart block. Besides minor intermittent twinges and the flutter of the PM working when my HR goes too low....

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icd

I HAVE A HOME MONITOR. HOW OFTEN DO YOU GO INTO THE DOCTOR FOR A CHECKUP ON THE COMPUTER.I GO TWICE A YEAR NOW.

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Rate setting changes

Hi everyone🙃

I am new here, but I am happy to find you because I need your help to understand something. 
 

My dual chamber pacemaker was implanted almost ten years ago and it has impacted my life in a wonderful way. Actually six months after it was installed, I was hospitalized with severe sepsis of unknown origin, and my pacemaker helped me survive as it took over 100 percent when my blood pressure dropped to 50/25. So I appreciate and value this device. 

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EP follow up

Is it true that you never see you’re EP again? That’s what they told me at my first pacemaker clinic appointment I literarily cried. They said he’s just the surgeon and I just go to the cardiologist (who I hadn’t seen in 3 years when he referred me to the EP - the cardiologist  never said the words SSS or pacemaker but now I’m thinking that a pacemaker was specifically what he referred me for.-I thought it was because the electrophysiologist had mo...

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Pacemakers ability to detect Artrial Flutter

Hello, 

In sept 2018 I got a Biotronic Enitra 6 dual lead PM because of Sick Sinus Syndrome. I also had Artrial Fibrillation and Artrial Flutter that both now have been solved with ablation. 

The Afib was obvious but to detect the Artrial Flutter I was asked to wear Holter and also Thumb-ECG at a later stage.

Afterwards I wonder why I had to do this since I wear a Pacemaker?
 

Have I missed something here or Is rea...

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Pain

I have my pacemaker 5 years ago and I am still feeling discomfort around the area and in my arm. My Dr left and idk anyone else who can help me

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Understanding my settings

I have been so grateful for this group and have found many answers here so far. My pacemaker was placed in early December for vasovagal syncope. We are still trying to find the right settings. It seems like my heart rate has been much higher than it used to be. Resting heart rate before was probably mid 60s. Now, simply walking down a hallway at work it will easily jump to 130. In addition, there are times that my heart feels like it is pounding, and sometimes when it is pacing me my chest fe...

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Optimizing settings

I will actually see the EP doc in two weeks, 5 1/2 months after implantation. I plan to ask my settings be optimized for exercise. I have also started running, and will be cycling when the weather gets better. I have a BiV CRT because of persistant bradycardia and an EF of 50%. The rate settings are 60-130, which Ipresume are the default settings. When I run/jog, my HR gets to 130 and my Garmin watch is calculating my VO2 max at 28, which gives me a fitness age of 69. As I am only 62, I would...

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First check up

I am nearly six weeks post pacemaker implementation. Have first check up next week. Concerned that some on the forum say that when the technician placed the wand over the site that you feel "funny". Is this purely noticing a difference in heart beat?  Thanks to all  

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E/Fraction rate

Today I had my 6 month check up echocardiogram with my ICD. 6 months ago, I had an efraction rate of 10. I only take carvedilol. I was so excited and happy to see what my rate was now. It was only a 15. Has this happened to anyone else on here? I don't want to cry. But I am an emotional mess. I have to take my meds now three times a day instead of two. 3.125 is the dosage. My hopes were for a higher rate. I need some uplifting, please?

Cheryl

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Heart rate

Hi everyone,

question---at the start of my problem( asymtomatic bradycardia) . pvc count 22,000-- EP did an ablation and pacemaker done on same day. Put on flecainide 50mg twice daily. In three months pvc count dropped to 4,500.

pacemaker was set at 80bpm at the start. I asked my cardiologist if 80bpm could be reduced to 70bpm. He said no with no explanation.

anyone have such a similar experience? I tried to condense this as best as I could.    Thank...

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first checkup

I had my PM implanted Dec.11,2019. I go tomorrow for my first cardiologist follow up appointment (I have seen my PCP already). I am hopeful my driving restrictions will be lifted. I got a little anxious yesterday when I was lightheaded for about 15 minutes and my pulse went to 118 just walking, but it went away fairly quickly, but will mention it to my doctor. Much of the time I dont think about the PM and go about my day. Caught myself strecthing my left arm above my head a few times and wai...

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First Device testing

Happy New Year all.  
 

On 12/11/19 had CrT-d implanted.  I had no symptoms prior, worked our regularly,  age 67, EF% 34, LBBB - QRS 174.  Docs suggested CRTD, so leap of faith, we did it.  Before device, my standard resting heart beat52 to 54. (Meds, ie Metoprolol 25mg, keep it low) I noticed post implantation it rose to 60ish.

Yesterday at first device check, they said one of the leads moved a bit but was still in "safe zone"., n...

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Buttons?

Does my pacemaker have buttons on it? I tend to touch it a lot and I wonder if maybe I should be mindful of buttons or settings that I could be messing with.

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How happy patients become unhappy

I'm in the EP clinic having a micro-adjustment to my PM's settings - one of which excites some interest from the EP tech (boring electro-physiology stuff).   My box does a fantastic job for me, and I'm very happy with it.

'Oh,' says the EP tech, 'you have Minute Ventilation enabled.  We normally turn that off,' he continues in a nonchalant way.  And this in a centre where I had thought that they use a lot of BostonSci PMs.

Oh, good g...

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called in to see cardiologist

 

Was called this  Monday morning to see cardiologist, for an appointment for  Tuesday which is tomorrow. Kept asking why she did not know.   She finally asked  the someone it is for an irregular heart beat. (Did think that might have been the reason,but wanted them to tell me).  Shoud i be worried?  First time called since implant Aug.21,2019.  Which is one of the reasons for the PM.

  Can think of a few times over...

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First pacemaker check

Hi all

I am 50 and two weeks tomorrow post pacemaker   Check up 13/1  what should I expect from this appr? As new to the pm world ! 

 

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Pacemaker settings

Hi I really appreciate all the information I've got from this group 

I've got left bundle branch block and right bundle block branch  I just had dual chamber  Biotronik pacemaker fitted..They have Set it so my heart does not drop below 60 just want to know what happens if my heart misfires at 100 ?  Or higher when I'm training.

And how long must I keep the arm sling on to prevent me from lifting my arm 

 

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11 month follow-up

Hey guys I haven't been on here in a while, but I've enjoyed reading everyone's posts on their follow-ups and wanted to share mine...I'm glad to hear all of these success stories. I had a biventricular pacemaker defibrillator put in December 26th of last year. My EF was 20-25%...I've had two echos done with one a couple of months ago and one today. My EF is now 45-50%. Thanks to God, all my doctors, Entresto and my Boston Scientific ICD!! Also I will be turning t...

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Rate Response

I need the help of all the techies out there to help me understand what I just did.

Last Friday my EP turned off the Rate Response (acclerometer) in m St. Jude Dual Chamber device. Since its implantation, I have never felt whole or even close -- labored breathing, tiredness etc. Almost immediately, I felt better, and I'm into my 5th day. 

Even though I didn't have the condition for which a rate response was needed, the EP said turning it off would not improve my...

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You know you're wired when...

You get your device tuned-up for hot dates.

Member Quotes

Just because you have a device doesn't mean you are damaged goods and can't do anything worthwhile and have to lie down and die. In fact, you're better and stronger. You're bionic!