Most Recent Messages

New To ICD's

Hi All,

Wow, I can't believe there's a MB for people w/ ICD's/PM's, that's great! I even see there are a lot of young people on here (i'm 29, female). Well, my story is that I was out jogging on 5/29 (wasn't really going fast, just kindof warming up) and I got extremely dizzy and passed out in the grass (still face planted and ended up w/ a nasty bruise on my chin). A neighbor saw it and ran over and roused me and we headed to the ER. I got the regular workup of tests (blood, EKG,...

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People not to offend

The pacemaker club with quickie 1 liners, they will censor you.

DO NOT OFFEND THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE:(

The Primary Doctor who writes your prescriptions.
The Pharmacy who fills your prescriptions.
Your spouse who picks up your prescritions.
Your spouse who gives you your prescritions.
The implant representative who checks your implant settings.
The Electrophysiologist who sets the final programming.

JUST KIDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

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What's Going On?

I posted last week about having my second ablation. Well, all went well, and I am home from the hospital.
I am having some strange new symptoms now that I have never experianced before. They don't seem to be heart related, but I was wondering if any of you might know what is going on.
Since the procedure on Tuesday, I have gained 15 pounds! I am also having difficulty urinating...it seems to take a really long time and strain to get the flow started.
Anyone know what might be go...

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AMAZAZING heart camps!!!

Hey, yeah, I know I spelled amazing wrong, but I like amazazing better. Anyway, I found two AWESOME camps for kids with pms and ICDs. One is by the Children's Hospital in Boston, and I think it's free, but I'm not certain. The other one is totally SWEET! it's called Camp Odayin and it's in Minnesota. This one costs only $25!!! They eat dinner for breakfast and breakfast for dinner: how cool is that!? I won't spoil it ALL for you, so if you're interested, Google them!!!!!!!!!!

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Cliff jumping

Prior to my pacer insertion (2005) I would occasionallly jump from rock cliffs in water, feet first. No more than a 50 foot jump. Anybody know if this is safe.

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Pulling leads out

There has been a lot of discussion about how easy it is to pull a lead loose by raising an arm too high. Today I had a chest X Ray which happened to show the leads clearly. Guess what? The leads have a complete loop in them before attaching to the heart wall. There is virtually no way I could have raised my arm enough to use up all this slack in the leads. I don't know if this is standard procedure for all cardiologists/surgeons or not.

frank

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bowler bob

hi bob we miss you and wonder what happened. one of the nicest guys on this club. hope everything is swell. jessie please if you see this let us know

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i hate my pacemaker

i really hate my pacemaker! i tell my mom that i wish i could go back before i had it but she tells me to remember how bad i felt before this! i feel so much better but my whole lofe has changed and i hate it. i feel no one can relate (considereing i no noone with a pacemaker at my age) everyone treats me differnet like im going to break. man this is so much harder for kids to get one. i almost wish i had not gotten it. anyone no how i feel please someone respond!!!!!!!

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Pookie

Are you still here? Come to the chat room.

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Battery life

Hi!
Can you tell when the battery gets close to end of life, or is it something that is found in clinic?
My last check was Jan 08 I was told I had approx 1yr of battery life left, although I have been feeling lightheaded, lathargic and have felt some unusual heart beats for approx 1 week. Saying all that I am also starting to recovering from a cough that I've had since feb. Could the way I have felt for the last week be been down to my pacemaker changing modes or post illness?

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is it ok to fly

I have to make an internal flight from edinburgh to bristol next week and i cannot find my pacemaker card would a letter from the doctor be enough for the officials at the airport to side step the scanner

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symptoms??

I am wondering what are the signs or symptoms of an atrial lead dislodging? I have been raising my arm too early after surgery--about 4-5 weeks and just recently (8 weeks post-OP)
I am having pain in my atrium. Could I have dislodged a lead?
Does anybody know the signs/symptoms?
Thanks-
Lexi

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Digoxin

PM implanted 01/08. I take Digixin, among other medicines. I've had rapid, painful heartbeats. Last month, Walgreens sent a letter saying there was possibly a problem with the Digoxin. Some batches were double strength. There's no way to know if I had a bad batch or not. After wearing a Holter monitor, my doctor says I need a stronger medicine, Sotalol, to control my rapid beats. He doesn't think there a link between the Digoxin and the rapid beats. Does this mean the PM is not working? Any idea...

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For Jessie

Jessie. Have this moment seen your query about my e-mail address in the chat room. I can't imagine why it should be that the chat room doesn't register when I've left it! People will think I spend whole days and nights in there! Please get in touch by private message on here and I'll pass on my e-mail address. Wannabe

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Pacemaker Replacement - What should I expect?

I have had a Medtronic pacemaker since September 1999, and it's being replaced in 1 1/2 weeks. My doctor said the leads are good, so it's just the pacer being replaced. I've been told this is an easier recovery than the original surgery, which is good since the first one was LONG and painful. (I was a skinny 21 year old, and they had to do some serious digging to carve out a spot for it.)

At the pre-op consult with my surgeon (same one as last time), I only thought to ask about lifti...

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2 years!

I was reminded last night by my wife that it has been 2 years now that I have had my PM. Time sure does fly. I want to say thanks to all those that have been here for me and answered my questions or supported me. This is a great resource with many wonderful people (you know who you are!) and I am proud to be a part of it.
My best to all of you, Boatman

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subclavian steal phenomenon

hi there,

has anyone had experience with subclavian steal phenomenon? if so, what were your symptoms...i did find info on the internet but just wanted to talk to a real pertson who has/had it.

thank you
luckyloo

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go figure

well frank i only saw the doc intern in nov.this doc gave me the drug i have not seen her since.it appears the docs i see now do not want to take responsibility of the situation.this drug was given to me ,i was informed it was the only drug that will work.now i find out it is the last drug they give you if all else fails.i have read the fda report that is 27 pages on amiodarone.they still do not follow up the way i have read the directions on the drug,i should be monitered close.what a joke!!!!!...

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Asthma

I recently got diagnosed with having asthma. I was wondering if anybody else has this and if it has messed with your heart from medications at all.
It is nice knowing that I am not crazy when I continue to say I am sob but it took having a big spell for a regular dr to tell me that he assumes I have had it for a while. Though, the inhaler that he gave me one of the side effects says it can raise your h.r. I was wondering if this has happened to anybody? Thanks!

Tammy

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stress test

I had my chemical stress test today. Went OK, felt kinda wierd for awhile. After they finished my right arm was sort of numb and had a tight feeling in my chest, but they cleared up after a bit. Had a headache for several hours after but that was all. Now I have to wait for every doctor within 30 miles to read it so they can get a little of the money.

Thomas

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You know you're wired when...

You are always wired and full of energy.

Member Quotes

We are very lucky to have these devices.