Most Recent Messages

Can’t believe I feel so awful

Hey there, so I'm 5 days from surgery to replace my 12 year old battery. It's been 7 days since my pacemaker switched to ERI. Nurse  said I would have shortness of breath and won't feel good. I wish I had had better information about what that really meant. I am learning how to cope with the following:

weakness and getting easily fatigued from walking around the house, taking care of my cat and self, eating and showering. 

SOB and dizziness are constant...

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Police officer UK

Hi, 

I am a police officer and collapsed at work last month, found to be in third degree heart block - age 31 with my heart going at 21! I was given an emergency pacemaker two days later. I have already done several years frontline. My cardiologist states that contact sports and martial arts type contact with a pacemaker is not recommended and also states that nights are not good for overall health. Obviously this pacemaker is working as a constant thing. 
 

...

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Am I just bone idle?

How is Chronotropic Incompetence diagnosed or do they turn Rate Response  on in the absence of a confirmed diagnosis to try to improve exercise capacity?

I had another device check yesterday and was told that I had flat histograms for the third time, with my heart rate stuck at 70 bpm (which is also my base rate).  I found that hard to believe because I walk a lot and really push going uphill.  Surely I get my heart rate above 70 bpm?  I also do some vigorous exercis...

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age

Hi, is there an age limit on a pacemaker patient? Like how old is to old to get one? I appreciate your opinions and replys. thank you

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Settings for Boston Scientific .. Cross country skiing

Are there any cross country skiers out there with a BS pace maker ?   We are having a hard time coming up with some Accel, MV settings that work . ( I had a race last week and spent 35 min at a Heart rate of 170 , had to come to a total stop to slow the heart rate down !!! )  HELP !!!

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Communicating with Stressed People

Hi Everyone, 

This thread is asking for your opinions about the best way to communicate with people who have been trusting enough to express their concerns either on a forum or in real life, and who feel so overwhelmed and stressed that they may become stuck in a cycle of venting (to offload) perhaps because they cannot easily resolve their problems.

At what point do you think it is helpful to break the cycle of venting / offloading and enter into dialogue which may...

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Pacemaker Settings

I am a Cycle Guide and I had a Biotronic Evity 8 DRT Pacemaker fitted on October 23rd. I am now training hard on the bike for the 2024 season and I am struggling, probably inevitably, with my fitness. I used to race at a top amateur level. My surgeon has set my Pacemaker to 45-130 and I was wondering if the upper level is inhibiting my progress. As a Cycle Coach, I record and monitor all my stats and I have done nearly 50 rides since the operation with my average Heart Rate being around...

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Pocket hematoma

Had a pacemaker and defibrillator put in a week ago Monday and now have a computer mouse sized bulge in the site of the implant; seems to be getting slightly larger Called Dr office but little information   Anyone had this problem?? And what happened???

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Roll Call ! Where is everyone from?

I am in Virginia

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Pacemaker Installed Today

So today is day one of my new pacemaker life. 

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Pacemaker and nerve problems

I was wondering if anyone has ever experienced nerve pain or damage as a result of the pacemaker and how it was located. For example, in the shoulder area, arm, and or even your hand? 
 

I am a thin person so my pacemaker does not look nice and smooth on my skin... you can tell it's there. I do notice my shoulder isn't as flexible as my right one so occasionally I can feel like a little discomfort in the muscles or nerves.. not on the entire arm. Simply some areas...

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Pacemaker

Good afternoon
I am 71 fitted with Medtronic pacemaker 3 years ago for afib. 
I sometimes when walking get slight pain in calf muscle feel it could be circulation. Would it be ok to use revitive circulation booster?

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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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Best Pacemaker

I am about to get a pacemaker in two days at 83 years old. I'd like to know if anyone has had experience with pacemakers and antique automobile unshielded ignition systems. 

This is a new experience and I don't know what to expect.

Thanks,

Al

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Drums and electric guitar

Hi! My 11 year old son just hit his 6 week mark and his physician has given him the clear to return to electric guitar and drums. Only thing, he plays about 5 hours a week, in studio, at School of Rock and it gets so loud in there. I know he's supposed to stay 2 feet away from the speakers and amps but it still has me a little concerned. Anyone have any experience with drums and/ or electric guitar? Good or bad since pacemaker implantation? I'm not concerned about the movement, more s...

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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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Extreme Dizziness

Hello All, I am an 80 year old woman with a dual lead p/m for bradycardia.  Complete (or almost) heart block.  I recently moved and am due next week to see my new EP/Cardiologist for the first time.  

I have had some rather disturbing issues these past couple of weeks which may or may not be serious or even related to my heart.  Let me run this by you and see what you think I should do.

I have been having periods of what I call "fuzziness" where...

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Athlete with various types of heart block

Hi, I'm new to this forum but am finding it enormously useful.
I'm 45 and scheduled for pacemaker insertion on Monday and wanted to see if anyone has similar experiences to my own.

I'm an avid cyclist and runner, cycling about 100miles/ week and running about 15miles, the cycling volume has reduced from 200miles per week prior to the covid pandemic. I've always had a low heart rate, typically in the 50s and high 40s but over the last 4-5 years this has reduced to mi...

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PVCs

Boston Scientiffic Accolade L331. Settings: DDDR, RYTHMIQ - Off, Lower Rate Limit 40, Max Tracking Rate 135ppm, Paced AV Delay - 80-350ms, PVARP - 250-300ms. VRP - 250-250ms, Minute ventilation and Acceleometer both on.

I'm a 76yo life long amature cyclist, DX'ed with AFib at 65 and Sinus Node Dysunction in May-June '23. S/P PPM Placement in July '23 and successfull cardiac ablation in August '23. My Boston Scientific Tech is a cyclist and knows what I want...

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It's time to replace the battery - yeah!

Well, I did feel the change to the ERI mode.  It happened on Saturday evening.  I did the mobile check and reached out to my EP nurse this morning.  I'll get to schedule tomorrow.  

So weird that on December 20, 2023, technician said I had 5 months and couldn't get replaced yet and today it's been confirmed.

Happy to have all of you to talk to and have real truthful conversations.  I'll follow up after surgery.

Natalie

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