Most Recent Messages

Beta Blockers

Why would the doctor put you on beta blockers so that you will pace more....I thought the idea was to let your heart do what it can on it's own. I was just reading that and am confused.

Holly

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Thank You Smitty and Tracey

I appreciate your responses. I know no two of us are the same...but we are still going through similar experiences.
I don't think that I would say I don't trust my doctor....It's just that before I listen to him tell me what it feels like...and what it doesn't..I would think someone who has one would know better than someone without one.
And I agree about the dual chamber....I don't know why he would want to give me meds instead of placing two leads to begin with.

I do NOT...

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Fast hear beats at nights

Hello! Last night my heart beated very fast. I woke up to have a rest and the HR became ok. I am wondering why it often does this during the nights.

The doctor ordered me betablockers but we later decided together that I do not have to take those because my HR has been ok.

I wonder how long period does the Metronics PM memory have data. Is there any devices available to read pm memory at home?

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Another question, and thanks

I wanted to know if anyone of you had your heart working only 15%, and if there is a way to make it work harder or higher.
Do the meds fix that. I was told that it can, was just wondering. Thank you all, you have already made me wiser to this new problem that I am going through. Thanks again

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Hi Long Time

hi everyone

This is my first message for a long time and as you have all said when I first joined I would learn to live with my pacemaker. Well I have. I have started exercising but have one question, hopefully Smitty or Frank can answer. I was told to run for one hour twice a week. I have done this, on Sat I ran the hour came home, had lunch, cycled to my friends and then returned to go in swimpool. Later on I felt as though I either had ectopics or that I could feel my pac...

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Mountaineering Backpacks

I'm 30 yr old, and just had a pacemaker installed a week ago. I've got no problem giving up rugby and other contact sports, but I can't give up skiing. I've been teaching skiing for many years now, and recently taken up ski mountaineering. The doctor assured me that mountain climbing and skiing wouldn't be affected by my PM.

After having it installed for a week, I'm surprised how close to the surface the PM is. I'm worried about the use of a heavy (50-100 lb) backpack, especially...

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Airport Screening

Anybody know if the new body scanners (like the millimeter wave scanners at O'Hare) are safe for pacemaker patients?? I looked at the TSA website but couldn't find any info on precautions or contraindications.
Thanks.
-- Jenn

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memory

greetings all:
i had my medtronics dual lead ADDR01 pacemaker implanted in 12/07 and have relatively few real concerns (okay, more just after the implant!). but all has been well. i had it implanted for sick sinus syndrome and take florinef to increase my blood pressure as it is usually very low. recently, maybe 3-4 months, i seem to be having some memory problems-shortterm recall mostly. i have always been very sharp, excellent with numbers, you know, math calculations in my head were no p...

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Breast Augmentation

Hello,
I have had a PM for 11 years and now on my 3rd device. I am interested in having breast augmentation and was wondering if anyone knows if this is possible with a pacemaker in place. I have spoken to a surgeon who tells me that he would need to ascertain where leads where and that generally pacemakers are in the same muscle as the breast implant so this may lead to infection etc. Are you aware of or know someone who has had breast augmentation when there has been a pacemaker in situ?...

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PM 2 weeks & tired

Hello everyone, I am a 53 year old and I live in Finland. I got my pace maker two weeks ago. My healt has been quite good. But I have been tired during the last 6 months. During one morning I had three blackouts. The last one was a 15 sec heart stop (which was recorded by ambulance people). I also had a strange pain in stomach area which dissapeared soon. Doctors diagnosed FA paroxysmalis & sick sinus syndrome.

There has not been found any special reason for this occasion. The corona...

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Total Gym

Does anyone use a Total Gym? I'd like to go back to using my machine but I'm afraid it may pull too much on my pacer.

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Interrogation

I have an appointment with my cardiologist tomorrow and my first interrogation of my pacemaker. Are there any specific questions that I should ask? I am new at this and just seeking advice. Thanks so much!

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pacer girl

Pacer girl
Comment posted by allanrogers on 2008-07-21 04:46.
You have a very similar medical history to me
Radio active iodine to get rid of over active thyroid
Did your heart problems start to surface before or after your radio active iodine treatment?
Is your afib under control?
Are you on your first pacer?
Are you on beta blockers?
If so what dose and how often do you take them once a day or twice a day?
How often do you get your pacer checked o...

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Many thanks!

ask again
Comment posted by TraceyE on 2008-07-17 07:56.
It can take more than three tries to get the programming right, ..

Rate response?
Comment posted by bambi on 2008-07-17 12:11. ...

Dear TraceyE and bambi, thanks for your advices! this helps me a lot. and many thanks to members of this pm club. This is phantastically friendly and helpful community. Good luck to all members and visitors. Mikhail

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Cannot make a decision

I am so nervous about my decision to have a replacement for the PM just put in February 2008 or to leave it alone.
The PM was larger, does not sit right in the pocket, leads felt and outlined in chest, floating PM to under arm.
I thought everything would be the same as when the first PM was installed without incident.
The original surgeon stated he would reposition the pocket, put leads under the PM and make me more comfortable.
It is driving me crazy to think about going th...

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pacemaker and blood thinner med

My 92 year old aunt might get a pacemaker. She is also on the blood thinner, Coumadin (could be misspelled....) Does anyone know of any complication with this med and a pacemaker? Thanks. Sara

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WHAT IF YOU LOSE YOUR INSUARANCE?

HI all,
I have not posted in a few weeks. I get my St. Jude Pacemaker this Friday morning.
I guess i thought if i didn't think about it.....it would just go away.
I am so tempted to cancel...I realize you all didn't want one either.
So of course I am sitting here trying to think of why I should NOT get it.
BUT......I really do need to find the answer to this....if any of you have had this issue arise.
WHAT IF......I lose my INSURANCE ? I would have a PM that need...

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New PM - Changes in BP

Hello folks,
I had a pm put in two weeks ago due to low pulse rate that's been diminishing for the past two years. Always had a mid- to hi 50's all my life, but it had dropped to 49 - Tiredness, plus 2 atrial fib attacks in a year - Doctor wanted the pm in to help with tiredness AND to be able to administer a beta blocker to reduce chances of atrial fib attacks.

After PM implant, next morning I haven't felt that good and alert in years. Other than soreness of implant incision s...

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billie girl

i sent you messages hon jess

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cannot talk for approx 40 secs after just climbing stairs??

What is wrong with me I am 41 had a pacemaker for 8 months was diagnosed with sinus bradycardia and also paroxsymal (intermitent a fib) just when i am getting used to pacemaker and beta blockers i start getting these small dropping sensations in my heart Is it the return of afib?
i am finding it hard to get a good nights sleep and my pacemaker clinic wont give me any more check ups as i have been back 5 times since October
I paid for a private doctor last week £150 and also for a 24 h...

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You know you're wired when...

You run like the bionic man.

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