Most Recent Messages in Coping

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100% pacing

Had my 6 month Medtronic check and I am not pacing at 100%. I will have had my device two years in June and my pacing has increased every checkup. I have an echocardiogram on Tuesday but not sure what time will tell me. I feel fine and live my life but have to say this has depressed me. My wife and kids almost lost me and I can see the fear in their eyes. I didn't know I had an issue when my heart stopped. I have addressed every issue as soon as I became aware of it. I know I am better of...

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Hooray for the return of AgentX86!

So happy to see you posting again, AgentX. We've missed you.

I filed this post under "coping," because seeing posts from people I've come to know and trust is absolutely an important part of coping for me.

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Curious - Palliative Care

I am curious how many PMC members are using Palliative Care?

My daughter seems love the term "Palliative Care". She has used that term for years. 

Most of the people I knew who were using Palliative Care had Cancer and all avenues of treatment had been exhausted. Palliative Care was pre Hospice Care.  I worked at The Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, so my experience is tilted toward Cancer treatment, plus so many people are fighting some for...

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When more medication isn’t always the answer

I thought I would share this with you all because I can see the funny side of it now but of course it is a serious matter.

As some of you may know, I struggle at times to look after my husband who has several difficult to control health conditions.  Last night I panicked when I saw his blood glucose level hitting an all time low of around 54 mg/dL (3.0 mmol/L) if my Freestyle Libre sensor was accurate.  Levels should be above 4.0 mmol/L. This happened because I was told to inc...

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Pacemaker Side Effects

Hello.  I am three months post pacemaker implant and continue to have shoulder and neck pain.  I have read that this is a common side effect and wonder if any other members have experienced these pains.  I found numerous studies and found that at least 50% of cardiac implants have these side effects but cannot find an answer as to why.  Thank you for your input.

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Cold weather

I have biotronik Enitra 6 DR-T implanted two months ago. How would cold weather affect it? 

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PM progress since 2-8-24

On December 15, 2023 I discovered my pulse was a pretty constant 41.  No wonder I'd been having 'brain' problems, and was week and unwell.  I had bradycadia.  So, I saw my doctor and things moved at a rapid rate.  I had my PM implanted on 2-8-24.  Just 16 days ago.    My energy level is up.  I can walk further than I've been able to walk since Oct '23.    I am still learning some things every day of course, and trying to ta...

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Serious coping....

(Edit to add: For those of you that want to say that I need a good therapist, we don't have those where I live. I would have to travel over an hour one way to see one and that just opens up another can of worms that isn't feasible.)

Yesterday I went to get into our Jeep, we live on a ranch and I got out to close the gate and got back in the Jeep... that was all it took for my chest to hurt for half an hour. Like really hurt. The kind of pain you want to cry at but don't beca...

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Delta Waves

Hello,

 

I recently purchased an apple watch, and have joined a community that look at ecgs and such on the devices. One common comment about my ECGs are the appearance of a wider QRS and Delta Waves. I was aware RV Pacing causes the appearance of a wider QRS, but i'm not sure if delta waves are also part of this? 
 

Everything online says Delta Waves present in cases of WPW, which i don't have. 

 

Thank you for your hel...

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Pacemaker hurts!!

I had my pacemaker surgery 8/31/2023, I have told my doctor at every visit that it hurts and it's not in the same place as it was, he completely ignores my complaints, the nurse writes everything I say about the pain but after the visit the doctor writes patient has no complaints. I even have someone with me at each appointment that knows I have mentioned this many many times. Now it feels like an area is going to literally poke through my skin, it was never like this before, I know most...

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Study highlights risks of anxiety and depression after cardiac device implantation

 

I counted today over 100 entries, using the search feature on the Forum, with the word “anxiety” in the message.  Many other posts had words like “stress” or “fear” or depression” in the messages.  Anxiety, fear, stress and, even, depression are incredibly common issues amongst us.  Who hasn’t experienced a moment, especially when the device was new to us, where we didn’t stop and think to ourselves “wait,...

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Dental Work

Is it necessary to take 2 grams of antibiotics before a visit to the dentist for a dental bridge? Pacemaker biotronik Enitra 6 DT implanted 7 weeks ago. Thanks.

 

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New to pacing

Hi.... I am new to pacing.... had my PM installed three weeks ago. I have to say that this forum has given me so much information and dispelled mental anguish. I really appreciate all who share as when a person goes through this, we often feel alone, worried, and scared. I was diagnosed with bradycardia 15 years ago and after fiddling with thyroid medication for that length of time, last April I endend up in the ER with a cardiac event.... an extreme elevation of BP and tachycardia.... diagno...

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For those with a larger device, my sympathies...

I just want to extend my sympathies and understanding to those of you who have a CRT-D or ICD device like me. I don't know what I imagined it would be like to have something implanted in my chest, but whatever it was, I was really off base. For some reason, I thought after a couple of months that I wouldn't feel it anymore, that I wouldn't really even know it was there. That's simply not applicable. 

After 6 months, I'm still not comfortable. Right now as I type...

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Pacemaker

I've had my biotronic evity 8  pacemaker for over 2 years is it normal to still get shooting pains coming from pacemaker site makes me very anxious that something is wrong as I'm 100 % paced ?

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Haircut

Is it OK to have a haircut with electrical (wireless_ clippers with a pacemaker implanted 25 days ago. Thanks

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Pacemaker and covid

How does one with pacemaker recently implanted cope with Covid 

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Dealing with Hot Humid and Cold weather

Hey all! Another question from me! Looking for any feedback any of you may have with regards to dealing with weather extremes after getting a PM or ICD.

So about 8 months ago I had an ICD inserted to deal with hereditary AHCM. Previous to the procedure I had never, ever had any symptoms of having a heart issue. 

The recovery process when very well and quickly. 

What I am wondering, is suddenly now, I am having much more difficulty dealing with both hot humid condit...

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Pain

If "no pain no gain " is a thing I am set for some HUGE gains with my new pacemaker !!!

the took my 3 year old one out and replaced it -

Removal which I was awake for hurt and now recovery hurts !

glad it's over and I'm excited for my expected gains !!

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Round 2 ...

A little about my experience - 

2007 44 years old 5 way heart bypass 

2019 - AV node stopped working - installed a single wire PM 

2024 - new PM with additional wire pacing another chamber plus ICD wire .

 

i was told .... in some cases (20% of single wire wearers end up where I am )

 

what got it all going ?  I was having a regular stress test which was said to be "normal "

When I read it my EF was 30% wh...

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You know you're wired when...

Jerry & The Pacemakers is your favorite band.

Member Quotes

My cardiologist is brilliant and after lots of trial and error got me running. I finished this years London Marathon in 3hrs 38 minutes.