Most Recent Messages in Conditions, Meds & Tests

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Blood rushing to my head when bending

Hi all

for a few years I have had this problem but like others, it's ignored. I have to sit on stairs to put on shoes etc as bending just makes my face and body so red. I have a PM (2010) but can't really recall when this problem began, certainly not before PM and meds. I suffer from AF also and heart failure which is worsening. Yesterday I was told after an echocardiogram that the right side of my heart is deflated and am awaiting a plan for treatment. Has anyone else had...

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should i get the pacemaker

for the past 5 years i have experienced rapid heart rates when running,walking up ills someimes walking up stairs-sometimes jjust getting out of bed. i have to stop and wait till the sensation passes usually a few seconds. this is more profound in the heat.my heart monitor tests show also some heart pauses lasting 3-8 seconds.when i am at rest my rhr is 49 and i feel perfect.if i suddenly get out of bed my hr goes to 70 andi feel a change.

this got very uncomfortable and so now i have a...

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Abnormal EEG results

Hello all!

Just got this ECG result. 
"Atrial-sensed ventricular-paced rhythm

Abnormal ECG

When compared with ECG of 21-JUL-2021 12:44,

Vent. rate has decreased BY   8 BPM"

this is the second test where the ventricular rate has decreased. The rate is 64. I am scheduled with my EP in November, does this indicate. PM issue or something else? Still experiencing fatigue, muscle weakness unless I move very slowly.  Thanks for reading...

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low CO2 blood level

I have had my pacemaker for 6 months.  My PCP ran routine blood tests recently.  My CO2 level was lower than it has ever been.  (17 and and normal range is 20-29)  Average for me has been about 23. All other tests were fine and I feel good. The first 2 months of this year I did nothing for exercise because I was feeling terrible as we determined the heart block diagonosis. I am still building up my stamina so I know I am not to the cardio levels I was last year before...

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Is it true that AT/AF includes more than just AFib?

It is my understanding that the AT/AF data recorded by my pacemaker (previously a Medtronic, and now a Boston Scientific) includes more than just AFib -- it can include other atrial misbehavior. Can anyone confirm or disconfirm?

Earlier this year I had a period of near-constant palpitations. When I went to the doctor, the folks who read my pacemaker said I was having AFibs. But the doctor read the EKG and said no: it's not AFibs, it's actually Atrial Premature Contractions. So a...

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Meds

Just got my first implant June 29, 2022.  I am 63 years young and will be 64 this Friday.  Feel good some days, then next day feel crummy at some point.  So glad I found this website.  No one prepared me for how difficult and long this recovery could be.  Started on blood thinners, no side effects, just being really cautious in the kitchen, etc.  My doctor is suggesting Beta Blockers.  I hate adding another Big Pharma.  Does anyone have experience with...

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Open MRI with Pacemaker

I am large and need an open MRI and have a MRI compatible RateDrop Pacer. I live in upstate NY and I have no place in all of New York or New England to do one with an open MRI and Pacemaker. I am willing to travel the country if I can find someplace that will do this. I am obese and round and short so I can't fit in any of the standard or extra large machines. 

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Pericarditis and breathlessness??

Hello all. Has anyone had breathlessness with pericarditis?? I have chest pressure and pain too and can't lay down without sitting upright. Dr said I have pericarditis upon listening to my chest and hearing symptoms. I was started on colchicine and ibuprofen a week ago but no improvement. The breathlessness is all the time, worse w exertion or talking. 
I did have pacemaker exchanged for defibrillator w added lead June 7, 2022. 
I'm worried this is more than perica...

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EKG Result

I had a regular yearly visit today and saw the cardiac Nurse Practitioner. She didn't mention anything wrong on my EKG and I left thinking everything is fine. When the EKG result was posted in my Health Portal and I took a look at it later today, the result says Sinus Rhythm Borderline Axis Deviation so now I'm quite worried. I left a message for a nurse to call me so I can find out more information, but it was almost five so I won't get a call back until tomorrow. Some of you see...

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Varying intensity of pulse

Just curious if anyone else has noticed if their pulse varies in how strong it feels?  My pulse varies so much in the forcefulness or intensity of it sometimes.  For example I will feel strong beats when checking my pulse then I can have some beats that I can barely feel.  Wide degree of variations...I have a crt pacemaker.  I guess it's stronger when I pace vs when I'm not pacing.  Just thought it was interesting and was wondering anyone else's experience...

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Got letter for refferal6

Hi on previous post I wrote that I was getting referred to electricity Dr ...my other cardiologist wrote this referral!! Due to PSVT FOR POSSIBLE EPS ABLABATION???what condition do I have is it serious?? Can medicine control?? Or I'm done 

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Sky Diving

I'd like to go skydiving. my blood pressure is good, I don't take meds, I exercise regularly... I have complete heart block that's why I have a pacemaker but otherwise I feel good, I feel really good. it's something I've always wanted to do. has anybody gone skydiving with a pacemaker? 

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Why do I have this heart block condition?

Hi, 

so my heart block was discovered half way through my (first and only) pregnancy when I was 29 (my heart was flipping around a bit one day). I had a planned caesarean and on that morning I actually went into total heart block. 

I quickly removed and I think I was only going into second degree and as I was asymptomatic I was left alone. 

Then during the menopause it all kicked off. once again I felt fine but was stressed about something...

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Taking my own dosage to test metropolol

Since I posted here before I use to take 25 MG metropolol 2 times per day but it was to much for me dr put me on 12.5 twice.. it's half a tablet ..I was wonder will it affect me if i take half but get another extra tiny piece to try to find if I get side effects..what am asking  why is it 12 5 and not like 18.0 ..to try to find my right dosage 

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My cardiologist gave up, he's rude !

For the last 3-4 years I been having this cardiologist he has bad bed manners not patient gets upset easily..any way he put me on cartia xt 3 years ago ..120mg per day somehow he saw something on pacemaker check and he increased doze to 180 I couldn't take side effects.  So few months ago put me on metropolol 12.5 twice per day . Last week he suggested me to get on 25mg twice per day . I tried for 3 days I felt horrible..I don't know why im. So sensative with increase dosez...

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Metropolol tartrate

I use to take cartia xt 120 MG once a day .  But I wasn't feeling good so Dr change Me to metropolol 12.5 MG twice a day according to him is a small doze . Cause I'm to sensative to side effects.  After weeks of taking it I mention to him last week that my blood pressure n pulse are always high ..so he advised me to start taking 25mg 2 timed per day total 50mg ..I noticed it slowed down my pulse always under 80bpm and blood pressure around 110 over 80 but most of day 130 ove...

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Cyclobenzabrine

Hey everyone. I've had a pacemaker for 3rd degree heart block since 2017. I was recently prescribed muscle relaxers for some intense neck and shoulder pain. My family doc knows I have a pacemaker but I usually remind her to confirm when it comes to meds because she's forgotten in the past. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with this medication and if it is safe to take? I have high anxiety when to comes to medication, I tried calling a pharmacy but they pharmacist was una...

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Beta Blocker

Hi everyone! 

I'm still feeling pretty well. Had pacer check last month (the one where you see the tech from pacer manufacturer, not a doctor), and it is working as it should & still records no a-fib or other incidents. Some folks were wondering how we got a-fib to seemingly disappear, and that actually ties in with my current comment/question, so:

The "winning combination" for me seems to be an anti-arrhythmic (Tikosyn) with a beta blocker (Metoprolol). Oh,...

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tens

Thanks for your replies.  I am going to be on the safe side and will not use the tens on my back.  Why don't chiroprotors know this about pacers and not use them on a person who has a pacer.   

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tens

I have started going to a chiropractor for some lower back pain, the woman chiro used a Tens on my back, up and down, I had on a rather thick sweater and asked if I should take it off and she said no that the tens is quite powerful and will go right through the sweater.  I will be going back for a few more treatments of non surgical decompresson and wondered if that Tens could do something to my pacemacker.  So I called the pacer clinc where I go to a couple of times a year and aske...

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You get your device tuned-up for hot dates.

Member Quotes

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