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Will PM relieve fatigue, etc? Disability, Midorine

On a recent Tilt Table Test when I fainted, my heart stopped for 17 seconds. The Cardio acted like he didn't want me to leave. He said I will very likely need a pacemaker, but we could try Medication (Midocrine 2.5 mg 2 x time).

Do you feel better after the PM is emplanted? Fatigue is killing me but I have heard the PM helps that tremendously.

Does the Midocrine help anyone?

Can we drive shortly after a PM?

I have read that you may not be able to driv...

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chest pain, sob, & Zapping

hello everyone,

stil here and still having problems. mostly being short of breath even with just walking. then the pacer starts doing something that feels like little zaps.
by the way i am still on disability--not working. md says that by february 2nd we will need to chat about permanent disability.
dont know why i am still haveing these problems.
tests alll came back okay.nothing wrong with my lungs. so it has to be the pacer.


s

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Who takes a statin?

The only statin I've been able to tolerate is Crestor which I'm currently taking.I've read so much conflicting info regarding the recent study that showed that Crestor reduced inflammation in the body. It also caused a significant rise in diabetes among those taking it & that scares me. I feel myself craving sweets more all the time which sure isn't helping my weight any. I also take fish oil daily (2400 mgs) & that is known to reduce cholestrol. During a heart cath in June the cardio doc said m...

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Allowable upper body exercises

Hi
I had a pacemaker replanted about 7 months ago, after the first one got infected and had to be replaced.
My cardiologist has strongly advised me against doing push ups or any exercise that involves strenuous exertion of my arms and upper body.
The reason being the possibility of tearing the leads out of the cardiac muscle walls.
Any suggestions or advice please, as 1 hour a day of marching is not helping me get rid of excess upper body fat ?
thanks, cheers
peter

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I wish I could fly!!!!!

Hi there! Paced for 4 weeks now and flew to portugal last tuesday for 4 days, was a bit apprehensive but was absolutely fine.

Bham airport did zap me but only very quickly and faro airport in Portugal just did a quick body search and didnt even use the zapper.

I mentioned at check in on both occasions that i'd just had a pm fitted, and monarch, just a budget airline were superb, they gave me 3 seats on the way out as the flight wasnt full so i could put my feet up and pu...

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Swollen legs and ankles

Hi there!

I had lipo on my legs and a thigh lift and was rushed to another hospital after the procedure with total heart block and a pulse of 20-30.

My legs and ankles are still really really swollen, despite walking, keeping raised when im sitting down and constant massaging. They feel solid. My lipo surgeon seems to be trying to tell me that his procedure isnt responsible for this, that it might be the pacemaker!! Not sure if he is trying to wriggle out of something he...

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PACER CHICKS (& CABG!!)

Hello everyone!

Hope you are all doing well and behaving! ha ha ha!

Does anyone want to meet up in a few days in Chat? was wondering if we could all meet in chat on a particular day and time once/twice a week?!! I still keep missing everyone!!

I am ok, still have some pain where 'Gerry' is! but hanging in there!

I am also on Facebook and I note that a few others are - I must confess to going on there almost daily!!!!

Anyway, chat soon...

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Feeling so tired

Hi:
Wish all of you had a great thanksgiving day. We spent ours at my daughters house. But with the traveling, I am so tired.
Today tried to put up some xmas dec. and am I whipped by just moving a very small table. Also short of breath, to the point where I had to lie down. Seems like my heart is beating rather fast. My heart works only 14%, am wondering if I need to have pm/def. at a different setsetting. Had it checked 3 times already& was told everything was working fine. Makes me...

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Too high pulse rate?

Hi,

I'm new to this board, but read a lot of good info yesterday.
I was wondering what might have caused my pulse rate
to jump to 100 while just sitting and watching tv? I waited
it out and an hour and a half later it came slowly down
to normal around 70.

What's the recommened course of action should this happen again, and should I have gone into ER or done something else?

thanks
Don

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How Wonderful to have this...

Thank you once more for your reassurance. It's scarey to hear that I need a pacemaker. He said I've had this problem for a while... How they know... I have no idea. I just thought that everyone's different... and I was certainly not going to be athletic... and so what if I can't run far. So what If I get tired ... happens to the best of us. But lately... weird to say.... but AFTER they did the EGC.... my heart almost feels bruised. They called and said to show up on Monday to Cardiologist....

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power tools

I am a carpenter. I would like to know if anyone has experience using a router with a pacemaker/ defibrilator implanted. Also, is there any way to shield the pacemaker if I want to be closer than recommended.

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How Long till back at work

Another concern is .... in this economy.... and not having paid sick days...... How long after surgery before returning to work?

I work at a call center so it' not hard work.

*** Thank you so much for taking time out for me. I really have nobody else to talk to about this. My family is taking this pretty easy.... Not knowing how I really feel physically. I've hid it from them... the best I can.

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AV node ablation

Once again I am turning to my friends on this website for some help. I'm facing an AV node ablation after years of various arrhythmia medications and 5 ablations for afib and flutter. Amiodarone was the only medicine that worked for an extended period of time, but now I'm breaking through that.

My questions to you are: was it successful - I've heard it can the AV node can grow back? how does it impact the battery life of your pacemaker (just got mine less than a year ago)? did you...

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Want to Prepare... Need advice

I went for preoperation appointment which included an ECG. Next day I asked to go back and was advised that I have a heart blockage and will need a pacemaker. I now have an appointment with Cardiologist on Monday. I'm so silly nervous about this, and have stupid questions.
1. Should I pack a bag (ie. pajama's) when I see the Cardiologist...just in case, or is this a planned surgery where you go home and come back another day.

2. Are you still able to do everything you did b...

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Back home

Hi to all,
I am home after nearly a week in hospital,
just like to say a big thank you for all your get well wishes..sorry I missed your thanksgiving but I hope you all had a lovely family day.
take care everyone Peter.N

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SSS and now Bronchitis

I'm new to this board. I found it last week while looking for information on Sick Sinus Syndrome. I am a 41 year old female. There is a lot of information on here.

Now to my question. I had a pacemaker implanted this past Monday. I went home Tuesday and went to the emergency room this morning (since there were no doctor's offices open). They said I have bronchitis. Has anyone else had this happen so soon after surgery?

Things went fairly well with the surgery. I've...

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loop monitor

Follow up: the doctor changed his mind from medication (which is what he told my spouse when I had my EP study) to there is no medication and he now wants to do a internal loop monitor to ensure that my dizziness is from slow heart rate. I was wondering if anyone had this procedure and what to expect.

Thanks!

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Another Update - Post Ablation

I posted about my face and neck being swollen after my ablation on Tuesday. Well, the swelling has still not subsided much and my lips are slightly blue at the corners. I am having labored breathing at times, but I don't really feel like I am being deprived of oxgen. I am very uncomfortable and also having trouble swollowing.
Should I be concerned?
I tried calling my doctor's office, but they must be closed for the holidays...there is not even an answering service picking up.

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welding

My doctor said for me not get around welding or bend over a car engine while running. Also at airports I have pat downs & I travel all the time. No store security measure at the door.
Other then the items I mention aboveI am clear to go.
I had heart attack, four stents & cardiac arrest the five jolts brought me bqack again.
That was a life changing event in my life.Going to the other side & back to tell about my experience.

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after surgery don't do much

I had to wear my left arm in a sling eight weeks after pm/defib was implanted. I slept on my back & not raise my arm. A friend of mine raised her window & pulled a lead out of place.
I had two specialists that implanted mine at a large city hospital & they recommand arm in sling a long time. They give plenty of time to make sure the leads are anchor well into the muscle & all healed in due time.
I have not had any problem of any kind & its been seven years.

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You know you're wired when...

You have a T-shirt that reads “Wired4Sound”.

Member Quotes

I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for pacemakers. I've had mine for 35+ years. I was fainting all of the time and had flat-lined also. I feel very blessed to live in this time of technology.