Most Recent Messages in Conditions, Meds & Tests

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Grapefruit

Well, I'm back (of course!). Don't think this is serious enough to call my doc, but I was dumb. I take tikosyn (dofetilide) and this morning I enjoyed a large glass of "mixed citrus" juice. Didn't know that grapefruit was one of them--duh--until my daughter turned down a serving saying she doesn't care for grapefruit. How bad is the interaction with the drug? No info on how much of the mix is grapefruit, but after it was pointed out, I can definitely taste it. Yikes....

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update number 1 on ventricular tachycardia

In todays Stamped mail recieved the information for Pet Cardiac Scan for Dec 22.  Wrote to the Dr. via the portal for the site.  Asked if that was the earlierest.  She wrote back they are really busy and if someone cancels.   They will let me know.

Guess i will glow in the dark after this scan. 

new to pace

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ventricular tachycardia

Today through the heart centers portal recieved an email notice that  cardiologist recived a message from their device clinic.  They stated that they are picking up some VT on my device.  The Dr. is recommending that i have a stress test.  She would like to determine if there are any concerns with obstructive disease that may be hindering blood flow to my heart.

Did think yesterday morning might have something around 8am.  Was getting ready to hea...

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Got a new pacemaker

I had a generator change Oct 11. Before the change my resting heartrate was 73-74. Since the change it is 77-78. The pacemaker base rate, then and now, is 70.

I feel fine at rest. But I am puzzled, because I am pacemaker dependent--the sinus node working less than 1% of the time. Where are the new beats coming from?

When moving around, particularly if I'm standing any length of time, I don't feel so good. I feel weak, nauseated, dizzy, break into a cold sweat. My whol...

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Colonoscopy and a fib

Thanks Gemita!

A fib is certainly not funny is it?
best wishes

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Colonoscopy and a fib

Hi all

i recently posted that I had been asked to have a colonoscopy after an abnormal bowel test and was wondering if Edoxaban may have caused bleeding. Thanks to Gemita, Marybird and Ian for responding.

I had the colonoscopy last week, they found a polyp which they took out, but also found evidence of diverticulitis which had been bleeding. They were not sure if Edoxaban might have triggered this.

I am going to ask Cardiologist next week to look at my dosage and see if it...

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Nitroglycerin

Cardiologist prescribed nitroglycerin for emergency use at my last visit. I have sick sinus syndrome which pacemaker addresses. Wondering how many others are carrying nitroglycerin around. 
 

Thanks

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Tetralogy of Fallots

This may be a bit of a longshot (or maybe not since we're all here for the same reason) but is there anyone else here that has Tetralogy of Fallots? I've been told all my life that my condition regarding this is good, and that I may never need to get the replacement valve.

They've also said that my needing of the pacemaker, the fainting spells I get due to my heart pausing is NOT related to my previous condition? It just does seem connected but I suppose they're the prof...

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Change of Meds Sotalol 160mg

Hi All,

My pacemaker issues are well documented on here so I won't go into details again. However, post implant I've been getting PVCs, some of which are severe and leave me feeling unwell for some time post event.

My question is about the new meds my consultant has prescribed. I was on Bisop 2.5mg but my consultant has changed to Sotalol 160mg to try and 'calm' everything down.

Two weeks in and I'm finding the side effects of the new drug really unpleasa...

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Sss and frequent sinus pauses

Hello everyone. Please delete if you feel nessesary as I do not have a pacemaker currently. I'm currently in the middle of getting diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome ( suggested by an ER doctor)  and there's very little support groups or anything with information on the internet for what I'm going through. I began getting a heart workup (normal stress test and echo)  because I started having random bouts of tachycardia and then during an er visit it was found I...

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Bisoprolol dosage

Anyone here have experience with beta blocker dosages? I'm currently taking 5mg Bisoprolol twice a day to control my arrhythmias. My electrophysiologist wants to increase my morning dose to 7.5mg (and revisit it in 6 months). Is 12.5mg/day of Bisoprolol considered a low, medium or high dose?

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Abnormal bowel screening test

Hi

have been referred for colonoscopy because of abnormal test result with bowel screening (uk) 
As I take Lixiana for a fib, is it possible the anti coagulation drug caused blood in the stool?

I also have a pacemaker

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Sleep Apnea

Hi all,

For years I have made my snoring a joke. I've told my wife it's how I say 'I love you' while I'm asleep. This morning though I searched for 'sleep apnea pacemaker' and quickly found a study that says that sleep Apnea if left untreated can cause heart arrythmia and that anyone with a pm should be investigated for sleep Apnea.  I am curious to hear responses from this group on the subject.

Thanks 🙏

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Metoprolol Tartrate vs Succinate

Hello all,

Wondering if anyone has experience with both versions of Metoprolol? I have been taking Tartrate ever since I got my mechanical valve placed (50MG in morning and 50MG in evening). 

I had some SVT flare ups over the past months (pretty much all summer) and they upped my night dose to 75MG and it has mostly been calm and steady.

Then on the 25th I had a pretty bad bout of it -- I was just sitting in my chair working on my laptop (heart probably resting aro...

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Gotta love those beta bockers

I have posted before about my biggest problem with taking metoprolol--fatigue. Doctors have decided that we need to rule out other possible causes for my bone-tired, sleep-10-hours-a-night, then nap-during-the-day symptoms. I am on a waiting list for approval for a cpap device (since I've already had one & sent it back, insurance seems reluctant to try again!). I'm aso trying to address the sometimes severe depression that I experience, which is a whole other can of worms. I...

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Mammogram

Anyone have concerns about mammograms with a pacemaker? Is there a danger of crushing the device?  There should be a test specifically for pacemaker patients 

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SA Node Modification

30yr old with vasovagual syncope and POTS. I'm on Midodrine, ivabradine and propanolol with no relief. Underwent an ablation (unsure of what exactly--he said he ablated the signals that were firing first) 2 months ago with no relief. Fainting frequent times a week with a poor quality of life. My resting heart rate is in the 130s, standing it'll increase, then drop to the 30s sporadically. I have a SA Node Modification on Monday. I have been warned a pacemaker may be imminent. Anyone g...

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sick sinus syndrome

hi. i have sss and will get my pm this week. the doctor aluded to the possiblity of needeing a beta blocker- i dont understand why- at rest my rhr as 48. the sympxotms can start at 70  and the highest its gone with symtoms is 120. i assume the pm will help to increase the rhr and i thought it would also help control the elevated herat rate and encompaning symptoms of racing heart and anddizziness. 

hope this makes sense-can anyone help me understand this.

thanks

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Beta blockers

My cardiologist prescribed 12.5mg of Atenolol once a day after my pacemaker procedure on September 12th of this year.  Reading up on this med., I am wondering why he prescribed this given that I have low blood pressure and a low heart rate was the reason I had the pacemaker (40bpm, now set at 60bpm via the pacemaker).  Is anyone else taking this med. and also has low blood pressure?

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medication bone density

has anyone with a pacemaker experience side effects from taking Risondronate (Actonel) for bone density.  

I have osteopenia and am finding some negative side effects from taking that I did not have before I had the pacemaker surgery.

   

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Member Quotes

I have a well tuned pacer. I hardly know I have it. I am 76 year old, hike and camp alone in the desert. I have more energy than I have had in a long time. The only problem is my wife wants to have a knob installed so she can turn the pacer down.