Most Recent Messages in Conditions, Meds & Tests

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Heeeelp! Squeezing in throat...

I recieved my PM two weeks ago after a Holter test showed a sick sinus problem (Mobitz I & II). All went very well with the implant.
Prior to getting the PM, I would get a strange squeezing or pressure sensation in the hollow of my throat (just below the adams apple). I don't get pain in my chest though.
I have had 24 hr pH tests, X-rays, scopes, you name it - all negative. Of course, in readin many of the postings here, after a while they say it must be in your head, anxiety, panic, e...

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Read this, pretty interesting!

Hello everyone!
I was searching on the internet and found this imformation. I hope you take the time and read this. I was going to have this done at the hospital when I had my DVT ( blood clot ). The doctors decided not to, why, I don't know. Sounds pretty interesting.
HEART FAILURE: Congestive Heart failure affects about 4.6 million Americans and kills nearly 45,000 people each year. When the heart is weakened, either by disease or defect, it can't move blood through the body...

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family matters

another quick question...my cousin who is 3 years younger than me (she's 19, i'm 22) did a tilt table test yesterday and the dr. thinks she has a lighter version of my condition (vaso-depressor syncope) (during the tilt table test i passed out and flatlined for a few seconds, my cousin did the same thing except the dr. had to give her a drug to induce her passing out.) he put her on beta blockers, which i am also on, but told her that eventually she may need a pacemaker, which i just had put in...

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PM and AF

Hi All,
I had a pm implant 2 weeks ago for because of low pulse problems.I also have AF but I thought the pm did not help with AF but at least one posting indicated that the pm was helping with AF.So I'm confused. Jim

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Stroke fears

Hi All,
I keep reading how we who have AF are more vulnerable (higher risk) to stroke from Blood clots.What I don't understand is how much of a higher risk are we and what factors figure into the risk. When my original fibulation did not show up on the EKG when I finally had my cardiology appt (my heart appears fine otherwise based on echocard) my Dr. took me of wafarin/coumitin and put me on 325 mg of asprin.(i'm also on 37.5 of atonol?). At first I was glad to get off the wafarin but now...

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new to all this

Hi Everyone,

1. Two weeks ago I had a pacemaker implant due to low blood pressure issues.(i'm 60) However I was still having atrial fibulation periodically, so I am on meds for that.I still seem to have episodes.My question..from what I have been reading is it true that certain things can trigger fibulation episodes such as caffine so hypothetically if I become aware of what is triggering me, I might be able to control theses episodes andd decrease them or even stop them?

2...

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Beta Blockers

I was wondering if anyone out there is on a beta blocker. I have been on one since my pacemaker for SSS was implanted in 2004. I was wondering if anyone else was having problems with their weight because of the beta blocker. Also I have talked to other people who are on a beta blocker and they have been placed on a diurectic as well. But my doctor hasn't done that. I exercise, watch what I eat and I can't lose the weight.

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SVC syndrome and pacemaker syndrome

hi everyone,

i am new to this group. i have learned a lot by just reading a few messages already! you are all so supportive of eachother. i have a recalled guidant defib with pacemaker function turned on. i am almost to ERI.

has anyone ever had SVC syndrome? my complaints are tight, full feeling in neck and face. eyes hurt and i have a constant headache behind my eyes. when i lay down it gets much worse. i get a stuffy nose with it and it gets difficult to swallow....

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Sleep Apnea - high vagal tone

Hey guys,

I don't know if you recall but about a month ago I was told I needed a pacemaker by my cardiologist and then saw a specialist (EP) who said I didn't need one. My heart would stop beating for 3 seconds at times but only during the night..he said this was due to high vagal tone. I was also diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea and he believed that this may be contributing to that pausing and high vagal tone along with excessive physical activity.

I just wanted to let...

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Muscle Spasms.

Hi,

Today, for most of the day, I was feeling spasms just under my PM. Has anyone else felt this and what did the Doc say about it. Still can't get my head around the whole PM thing. I mean, I am 37 years old and all.

Clark

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re atrial fibrillation

ive recently read some posts about atrial fibrillation where the top of the heart beats fast and the bottom beats slow and aspirin has been mentioned. i was investigated for a fast heart rate initially and second degree heart block was picked up and pacemaker inserted. im still being investigated for episodes of fast heart rate and am waiting for a patient activated monitor(credit card side devise apparently) to see if the episodes can be monitored should i be taking aspirin? thanks

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irregular heart

maybe someone with irregualar heartbeat can help me out. i am very active. play tennis, jog etc. my heartbeat is around 80. when i get on a threadmil maceovhine and say i get a heartbeat reading of around 85. every few minutes, at same speed, it will spike up 20 to 25 points and immediately come down to 85. then go from say 85 to 78 than to say 90 back to 85. my heart feels good, no pain or short of breath. if i increase speed and my beat goes to say 110 after a few minutes it might...

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I'm still around........

Hello to all my friends and family pacers. I'm writing to inform you of my conditions. I'm feeling better each day. I'm no longer feeling the back of my head tightening up, nor do I feel the unbalanced feeling. I'm excited to report good news to you. I'd like you all to tell us of what your going through, good or bad. I feel it's needed to encourage each other that there is hope for us. I really think a lot of all of you. I'm hoping to someday get to meet you in person and in good heal...

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PACEMAKER HERE I COME..

Hello from Aussie..
Have had the problem of irregular heart beats since 1992 which has been controlled by medication (Tambocor), however the medication has not been able to control the problem for the last six months..
Had a cardioversion eight weeks ago and felt great for three weeks but the heart decided to play up again.
My doctor still relluctant to put in PM and we are going for another cardioversion next month..
It does look like a PM is to come..What I would like to kn...

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CHF and difficulty breathing

My husband has a Medtronic 2 lead ICD - implanted 10/06. Since he's had the ICD he's developed CHF and we've been to the hospital at least 4 times for difficulty breathing because his lungs fill with fluid. After IV lasix and c-pap machine he comes around. They have told us to watch for swelling in his feet and weight gain which he has not had in the past when the problem starts. However, last night and today I have noticed that the tops of his feet are kind of puffy (no weight gain). So...

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Left ventrical noncompression symdrome

OOHHH realy scarry report from cardiologist but I am really not sure what it means for my health and welfare. The report said it transverses the left ventrical cavity. Seems like there are two shrinky-dink spots in my heart wall that are no longer living. I believe my heart is committing suicide without my permission. He seems to think this is what is causing my rythum problems. Does anyone know what this means? He is suggesting I go to Mayo clinic in Minn. for possible ablation. I am rea...

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Question - a male thing

I had my PM implanted almost seven weeks age. I have a lot of hair on my chest and it was shaved off prior to surgery. The EP made a very clean incision and sewed it up nicely. During the past several days, small little lumps have been developing along that nice incision and I suspect the hair that was tucked under the skin may be trying to erupt to the surface. Have any of the male club members had a similar problem? Does the hair work to the surface without causing a problem or does the lump...

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Sympton Question-Am I crazy?

Like some of you this is all new to me also. I would like to know if anyone else deals with the same issues. The past two years they thought I was having seizures because of an abnormal EEG and I could not wake up in the mornings. After a 7 day sleep deprived EEG they found that my heart rate and blood pressure drops to low and explained that the communication between my brain and my heart doesn't work at times. The EP Doctor said I need a pace maker. I failed the Echo Stress Test but the H...

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confusedi wan

i want to thank everyone for answering my questions. i would like to know what you would do in the following situation. i have always had a high heart rate because i jog and play alot of tennis. it was usually 70 to 90 beats. three years ago i did too much and hadarrythmia and my heart was going too fast and went to the doctor . he put me on digoxin the cardiologist gave me alot of tests which i passed and put me on 25.mgs of toprol eve rything was fine for 3 years. the digoxin slowed m...

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MRI & PM? No, here's why not

MRI is currently contraindicated in patients with pacemakers and ICDs due to a variety of safety concerns related to potential adverse effects on the device from the strong magnetic and radiofrequency forces generated during the scan. These include the possibility of erratic and inappropriate device functioning during (or after) the scan, over-sensing that can cause high rate pacing or thermal damage to the device, and induced voltages on leads that can cause over- and under-sensing. Moreover, c...

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Member Quotes

But I think it will make me feel a lot better. My stamina to walk is already better, even right after surgery. They had me walk all around the floor before they would release me. I did so without being exhausted and winded the way I had been.