Most Recent Messages

DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THOSE WITH A PM/ICD

I don't know what the California laws, or any state or federal laws are regarding people having pacemakers and/or defibrillators may be. But any law or rule that places a penalty restriction on people with a heart assist device is unfair and asinine. All that any of us that have these heart assist devices have done is learned that we have a medical problem and that problem has been corrected or helped by a man-made device. Getting that manmade device has not made us a higher risk for any activit...

Read More...

Encouragement

Hello friends... I've noticed that there are some new people and have been some depressed members in the past. Here's something that I thought was inspirational...

Do Not Quit
When things wrong as they sometimes will;
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill;
When the funds are low, and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh;
When care is pressing you down a bit-
Rest if you must, but do n...

Read More...

Medtronic Rep Madison, WI

Like many posts I've read on here I've been having problems getting my PM programmed correctly. I have been to the PM clinic several times complaining about PVCs (lots of them) and other symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue. They kind of implied that I really wasn't having PM problems because the PM wasn't recording any episodes.

For the last 10 days (I've only had my PM a month) the problem kept getting worse until I nearly ended up in the ER and then they finally began to...

Read More...

For Fred in Seattle

Come and chat, Fred. Wannabe

Read More...

Baby Can I Drive My Car? (with an ICD?)

So, next week on June 18th I have my Guidant 1290 pacemaker replaced with a St. Judes CRT/ICD.

What's the situation with driving?

Are there state regulations (Californina here) for people with ICD's? Do EP's generally allow patients to drive? Do ICD's give any pre-defibrillating warning before firing? This already seems to be a high anxiety situation knowing that at any moment one can get zapped, and if on the road, this certainly could present a problem.

As L...

Read More...

two weeks in

Hi, everyone.
I share your anxiety about getting an ICD implant.
I had mine two weeks ago and am happy to say all my anxiety has gone away. My incision is almost healed and I have never had a moment when I felt any different.
However, I googled the subject to death. I suggest you do the same. Some great sites are Cleveland Clinic, American Heart Association and Medtronics. (the manufacturer of my device.
I talked to people with this device and am fully aware of the "kick" on...

Read More...

What Does It Feel Like???

I will not be getting my pm untill July. I am Really nervous.
What does it feel like? Can I feel when it is pacing? Does it feel like palpitations? That seems like it would feel uncomfortable.
I realize it will take some getting use to.

For instance...someone said when they have a few beers..it makes the pacer kick in and they don't feel well. Would it not pace often....or everytime your hr drops? Does it make you feel funny?
Can i ask the doctor to set it low..It was n...

Read More...

help

hi everyone,my name is linda, my husband had a pacemaker and icd put in 6/21/06 he has alot of dizzy spells, also gets a upset stomach. ALOT. is this part of the meds or some thing else. we have talked to his dr. but no real help. can anyone help us ? thank you linda

Read More...

life after a pacemaker

hi everyone,
I am wondering how many of us feel that we are totally back to the way of life that we had before the implant. I am doing well but not back to where I was a year before the PM. Am I asking for too much? My EP doctors don't seem to care if my energy is not the same or that I sometimes get lightheaded going up stairs. Should I learn to live with my limitations or keep after the PM clinic. In the clinic we never get the same doctor twice. All are EP trained card. but they spend mo...

Read More...

PM and Exercise HR

Hi everyone- I am curious what experiences other people have had with their HR while exercising after getting their PM. I have AV Block and had a PM inserted about 1 month ago.

I just started exercising this week. I have noticed that my HR starts around 75 and jumps almost immediately to 155-156 (within a minute). It settles down to around 150 and when I slow down it gradually comes down as you would expect. I have only been running 2-3 miles at a 12 min/mile pace to start.

Read More...

Thanks!

I just wanted to thank you all for the encouraging comments you guys posted about my graduation... I am at school today waiting to be called down. I love you guys!

Read More...

short of breath

I had the pacemaker inserted on June 4th....have my first doctor's appointment today...but at times feel out of breath after doing something....anyone have these symptoms...my pacmaker is set at 60...thanks vtlaney

Read More...

tattoos and an ICD

I am thinking about getting my first tattoo on top of 'old sparky' after the tenderness goes away.

Anyone have and experience with interference from a tattoo gun?

Read More...

KNOWLEDGE

ElectricFrank is really knowlegeable and claims that he understands the electronics in his pacemaker and spends a lot of time studying medical documents. I also have noticed that some doctors do not like it if you educate yourself and are able to make informed decisions about what and what not should be done. If I had not made a study of electrophysiology , I would not be in the good health that I now find myself in. Hospitals often "use" patients to speak to worried patients about their concern...

Read More...

Treasure hunting with Metal Detector...

I wanted to know if anyone has a metal detector for treasure hunting. I'm getting a metal detector tomorrow for Father's Day. I'm so excited, but, I just wanted to know if it's okay to use with a pacemaker. If you have any information to share with me, I would be happy to hear it. May you all your blessings come to pass.
What a treasure it was to find this web site. I'm happy to report that I'm hanging in there and things are looking up. I hope everyone finds a peace of treasure in their h...

Read More...

PMclub site quotes

Hello again. I'm sure you all are aware of my quote mission, and was hoping it would be okay if I created section in my book for those quirky You're Wired When quotes as long as I gave the site credit. Thanks a bunch!

Read More...

Pacemakers & Sharks

Very strange inquiry, but...................my 11 year old son has been paced since he was 18 months old. We are moving to the outer banks this month where surfing is very popular. My question, in case anyone has any info, is would sharks be attracted or opposed to the electromagnetic energy of a pacemaker? THere are devices divers use that use electromagnetic energy to avoid sharks.......

Read More...

what do i do...

if i hate my doctor's assistant?

michael, the assistant to my CEP, is the biggest jerk i have ever had the displeasure of meeting. he is condescending and patronizing, disorganized and disrespectful. every time i speak to him (which has only been three times) he puts on these airs that are supposed to make me feel like the biggest moron to walk the planet. i question him about something, and he gets offended and begins speaking to me as though i'm two.

thing is, i'm pretty...

Read More...

Sudden Brady Response (SBR)

I have had my pm since 03 and my new EP dr, when I had my EP study in April, said that he did not know why the SBR setting had never been set up in my pacer, given the fact that I have been complaining of syncope ever since I got it. He turned that feature on, and MAN do I feel so much better!!!! I am really upset my last EP didnt know to do that. But I am grateful my new one has some sense. I havent been having any syncopal or near syncopal events since he changed it.

Sudden Brady Re...

Read More...

World Heart Rhythm Day 2008

Arrhythmia Alliance, in partnership with the International Cardiac Pacing & Electrophysiology Society, is pleased to announce that the forthcoming Arrhythmia Awareness Week 2008 will be held from 9th-15th June, with World Heart Rhythm Awareness Day falling on 13th June.

Organisations, such as Pacemaker Club, and individuals from across the globe help raise awareness of heart rhythm disorders and sudden cardiac death.

To learn more visit www.aaaw.org

Read More...

You know you're wired when...

You invested in the Energizer battery company.

Member Quotes

At age 20, I will be getting a pacemaker in few weeks along with an SA node ablation. This opportunity may change a five year prognosis into a normal life span! I look forward to being a little old lady with a wicked cane!