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Good grief!

Hey PM Club!

Just a quick update on two items. First I have my Invasive Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (iCPET) at UCLA on 12/22 at 8am. I can't wait to get this done and see what's happening to me. 

Test Link: 

https://www.uclahealth.org/medical-services/pulmonary/pvd/conditions-treatments/invasive-cardiopulmonary-exercise-testing-icpet

Next update is nothing short of shocking to me. So I thought to do some stretching and some easy exercises at ho...

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Parkinson’s and Pacemaker

Six weeks after PM procedure, I am diagnosed with Parkinson's.  My head is spinning just trying to accept all this when a few months ago I thought I was pretty healthy.  Is there a relationship between these two?

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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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Blood thinners

Hi  long term arrhythmia, bradycardia controlled by single lead pacemaker for 8 years, cardiologist recommends anticoagulant but I depend on a good diet and exercise, anyone else who takes this approach I would be interested what you think thanks,

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new comments

Glad that Tester123 fixed the new comments.  Now i get email notifications when i get a new comment including mine.  Do check your spam for notifications.  I did and found one, then checked off the "this is not spam box" letting Yahoo mail know this was not "spam".

Wish he had fixed the spell check, guess we should be grateful for the new notifications.

new to pace

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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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home monitoring

I have a Medtronic PM.   They do not do monitoring, at least not for me.   How would I go about signing up with home monitoring with someone.  

Raul

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Battery duration

I had a check back in April when my cardio said I have minimum 6 months and max 18 months in my battery. This is a medtronics PM 100% paced.

In October he said I had min 6 months and max 11 months which did not make sense to me so I checked with a different hospital and cardiologist. The second cardio told me min 12 months and max 18 months. He also said the PM would buzz when battery getting low. I am trying to figure out the 'true' story and will visit my cardio again on...

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Cardioverson

Hello to all! 
 

my second Cardioversion is scheduled in January 2023..

The first one was in June 2020, and I was able to stay in rhythm for 25 months.  A-fib returned in July 2022, in connection with a positive Covid home test. I was half way through a one month holiday at that time. I have not had any obvious Covid symptoms; but have had 3 negative home tests since then. 

So, the big question now is how to avoid going out of rhythm again. As a...

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TIG Welding

Hi, I've been advised not to TIG weld with my new pacemaker, but I've seen posts elsewhere which indicate it is OK if you take certain precautions.
I wondered whether the members on here have any relevant information or personal experiences they would like to share?

Thanks

John

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Update of Repositioning

I had some good news from the surgeon followup after the CT scan.  My leads are not damaged from the CRT-D dropping and flipping 90 degrees when I lie on my right side.  He said the leads are very vulnerable and I am lucky.  I breathed a sigh of relief and said I guess it wasn't going to be complicated, but he quickly answered where the CRT-D is it is very complicated and he only does complicated cases.  The CT scan had amazing 3D images, adjusting filters and being ab...

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Trees. Improve Health?

Just a quick teaser, our Plant A Tree Group sent my phone a article about trees planted years ago show a local decrease in Cardiac issues.  I will post a Link when I am next on a computer.  My phone is a PITA to use without adding anything extra.

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PT and Tens

I have been going to PT twice a week for the past month for low back pain.  They use a tens unit for the first 15 minutes of my visit.  Feels great.  I told them at first visit that I have a pacemaker and am 100% paced.  They said it was fine but just today I started reading past posts from this site and find varying opinions on the subject.  Can anyone shed more light on this matter?  So far I have not noticed any signs of change in p/m performance.  J...

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How many catheters used in AV ablation

Can you ask your pm club how many catheters they had for their av ablation? They are incisions in the femoral vein in which the catheter is inserted to the heart. Natale used 4, this guy 1.

Can you ask if it’s set to 80 then after an av ablation shouldn’t it never pass 80? Isn’t that the reason for the av ablation? To allow the pm to determine my pulse rate? Mine is fast to 104.

The above was questions that a friend of mine wonders if anyone would answer.

T...

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Surgery coming up destroying my family

As some or many have read my post this Tuesday I be getting the heart ablation.  Thanks for all your prayers . I feel with my hands tight I don't have a reliable job I been doing Uber for past 3 months n I don't have no benefits. Apply for food stamps my wife goes over by 30 dollars we don't qualify I have 2 children . From Tuesday until I recover I can help my poor wife she got paid today and since right now she only income we have $200 left for 2 weeks 😢 I never done this I...

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need a MRI on L shoulder

I took a bad fall on the ice and screwed up my rotator cuff in my left shoulder.  The orthopedist would like to do an MRI on it but I am Pacemaker dependent.  I heard somewhere they would have to turn my pacemaker off in order to do the MRI but I will pass out instantly. is this true and has anyone else done this?  my Medtronic pacer and leads are supposed to be MRI proof any comments would be helpful!  thanks!!

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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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High TSH and pacemakers

I am womdering if your TSH level was elevated (5.0) and 6 months later your electrical system of your heart does not work and you need a pacemaker immediately, are they related? Never had heart issues prior. Just seemed to happen so quickly, all of a sudden dizzy and short of breath. Then pacemaker inserted and all well. Redid TSH and levels down to normal range. Thank you. 

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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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Gaining to much weight

Had pacemaker put in 04/22 at age 41 for IBBB and cardiomyopathy. Have felt good since but have gained 50lbs since from occasional alcohol and bad eating habits. Starting to have fears of passing away at a early age leaving 2 young kids behind. Any recommendations for getting myself motivated and losing the weight. While losing these worries. 

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You know you're wired when...

You can hear your heartbeat in your cell phone.

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