Most Recent Messages in Checkups & Settings

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PM Timing

This post is a companion to my earlier one where I posted a search for talent:  At that get together, the Doc would watch the sonograph, then instruct the device clinic nurse to do this, or that in regards with the "timing" of when each ventricles lead would "fire."   The PM I had implanted at the time (as well as its replacement) featured "Cardiac resynchronization therapy" (CRT).  Shouldn't this feature have automatically performed...

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Quest for Talent

About 4+ yrs ago, my cardiologist suggested I see a "specialist" in one of their other clinics.  I did so, and met with Dr. "A."  At our 1st meeting, wife asked him, "Are you an EP?"  He answered, "No! But I can read an echo better than anyone your husband's been seeing!"  (BTW: his specialty is Echocardiography.)  He arranged a "pacemaker optimization" event for me.  There, besides the Doc was the sonographer...

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Lowered oxygen levels after Device check.

My 3 wire implant helped with my oygen levels. After I had a Device check and adjustment my oxygen levels decreased as well as my pulse rate. 

On a checkup with my Cardiogist, He raised my heart rate and my oxygen levels increased. He also started me on furosemide to reduce fluid. I'll go back in one month.

I was wondering if it's normal to have these adjustments to correct oxygen levels?

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Rate response

Once you have your rate response turned on and adjusted... do you ever have to do that again? Has  anyone? mine was turned on 3 years ago .... 

I want mine to operate optimal .. not just within normal limits..

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Can bpm affect oedema?

Note: not asking for a diagnosis here (well, obviously), just a steer on which route to progress first

Background: PM put in in early September and repositioned in early October (don't ask -- it just moved). AV node ablation done 22 Oct 2018; rate set to 80 bm and all was well. Hopped skipped and jumped out of the hospital (first time in 15 years).

Just after the AV node ablation I had an episode of fluid on the lungs, but was reassured that it was just 'a reaction' to...

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Programming a PM

Brand new to Forum. 2-chamber PM with rate-adaptive sensor installed October. 7 visits to PM tech since then trying to get programming optimized. Found 428-page User manual online from St. Jude. Learned there are 7 programmable functions. 3 keys one are sensor threshold, reaction time, and slope. If these are not right they can cause nasty symptoms of the type I have read about below. After expressing my frustration about programming to my EP, he offered to arrange a...

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Changed a setting

At my last Pacemaker interrogation the EP noted that I had very little activity on my report, like just walking around in his words, so he told the tech to lower a setting from high to medium and said I wouldn't feel anything different but that it would show more of my activity. Does anyone know what this means?  

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issues every 8hrs

I used to get the similar problem every 21 hrs. There was a restriction on I got it turned off. It doesn't solve everything

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pacemaker settings

before my first pacemaker in 2001, i had to be careful when and what i ate, because any sinus pressure (from burps, flatulence, etc.) would cause sinus pauses. exercise after a meal was out.

my first two pacemakers seemed to make me more tolerant of digestive goings on.

this third pacemaker, which has the same settings as the second, doesn't seem to be like that. i'm constantly troubled by what feel like pauses and bumps and just a variety of heart feelings.

i a...

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Pacing at 100%

I would highly recommend insisting on setting changes.  I was very disappointed with my ICD for the first two months.  After I got the settings maximized, I was pacing at 100%  Exactly what I needed!  So what if I needed a battery replacement 5 years later! My EF went from 20 to 45 & isn't that the point.  A squeaky wheel gets heard, sometimes!

When they were done changing my settings, while stil on the table, I got the first satisfying breath I'd ha...

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Pm setting

I have afib and controlled by medication . This has slowed My heart rate iusually between 42 to 48 .I have no symptoms of tiredness etc . I am scheduled for pm implant next week . The setting would make the pm operate almost all the time . Is there a downside , like making the heart muscles weak etc . Any long term risk.

 

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Headache

I have a question, I am 4 1/2 weeks out from having my pacemaker surgery. I have intermediate AV node block. Since my two weeks check up, and adjustments to my Settings I experience being lightheaded and headaches every evening, seems like after I exert myself a little as far as taking a shower, doing small household chores,walking to the mailbox. Is anyone else experiencing this or has experienced lightheadedness and headaches every night. Thank you

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pacemaker

Can my pacemaker be swithched off and left in situ for a trial period ?

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Blood pressure after setting change

Hi everyone, New to the group . I had my PM Implant November 4, emergency room visit. I had  no symptoms other than feeling like I was gonna pass out three times earlier in the evening. I was told I  have  intermediate AV node block stage two blockage 2 to 2 1/2.
I’ve had my settings changed twice once on my two week check up when they remove my staples, because I told the doctor I was feeling weak and tired, and the second time this past Friday because I keep &...

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Rate Response On since 10/18/18 and Metoprolol 12.5mg

Hi! So I was diagnosed w 3rd degree heart block, Dual chamber Pacemaker implanted 8/28/18...I was also prescribed 25mg metoprolol 10/01/18 for arrhythmias occasionally.  on my 6/7 wk check up last wk I explained to my surgeon that I felt lethargic after simple things like walking up stairs or walking more within the day, also I’m waking up EVERY night @ 2am n not getting a full nights rest. He recommended only taking 12.5 mg per day...which I have done....lethargy has stopped,...

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Insurance coverage

I have to change my insurance this October.  Any problems with ins companies with pacemaker issues like general checkups with pm techs etc

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Nervous

Got s apt with the pm doc on Tuesday does anyone else get super nervous the week before sometimes have trouble sleeping also how does the phone call in work anyone know could I just not see that doc anyway also does it ever go to every year as opposed to every six months

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billing

so i am wondering if anyone else is paying more for their remote interrogations than what they may pay as their copay for an in office/clinic visit. my remotes are every 90 days and i am being billed by the hospital and the physician each time but  when i go into the office/clinic for my annual visits i  just pay my flat copay. it seems that it should be the same amount because it is the same thing, just one is face to face. i am paying more for the hospitals convenience of not havi...

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What exactly does the doctor do when he/she interrogates my PM

I've had a PM for 5 years now. I also have a medical background. All this time I thought I understood what was going on when they interrogated my PM but, apparently, I don't.

I have an excellent cardiologist. He's 77 years old but he can still keep up with the best of the 40 year olds. They stand in awe at his skills---EXCEPT! He dabbles at technology but he hates it and he isn't as sharp at it as he probably could be. I'm not seeking advice about my cardiologist. Fo...

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Pacemaker checkups

How often do all of you get pacemaker checkups, I am supposed to go every 6 months, which I have.  However, I do go to a teaching hospital and the checkup I got last year changed the way i felt, I started getting more AF and going back into NSR my heartrate stayed right at 80 bpm for hours and hours which made me unconfortable until I finally went back into my normal rhythm in the 60s.  This went on whenever I got an episode of AF which i got more of last winter until i co...

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You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker interferes with your electronic scale.

Member Quotes

A properly implanted and adjusted pacemaker will not even be noticeable after you get over the surgery.