Most Recent Messages

Help.. Batteries need to drain

Hello everyone,
We have just joined this forum.. My sister, mother, and I have been trying so hard to learn about pacemakers/defib. since a year ago when our dad/husband had to have one put in.. Since then we changed drs... and have recently found out that the one put in was to small.. now we have to have it replaced.. However, we can't have this done until the batteries are drained down... this is what we were told.. When the dr turned the batteries up to 86%(which was the highest it would...

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Lack of guidance about exercize

I am a 67 yr old male. I had a double lead Guidant PM implant about a month ago for an accidentally discovered sinus block condition (asystole for 5.5 secs). I have worked with free weights and done cardiovascular (CV) exercizes all my life and have just gotten back to my CV routine.

I am eager to get back to weights (after another one or two months as recommended) and am not sure whether I can exercize using free weights or should use resistance machines.

I very much ap...

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Loosing Job due to PM/Defibrillator

Is anyone else out losing their job due the PM/Defibrillator being implanted. As a telephone, video and data installer, the doctor told me that I can no longer climb telephones, climb ladders and walk beams in attics for the PM/Defibrillator could shock my heart at any given moment possibly causing me to loose my balance, thereby causing me to have an accident. The company I work for said that since I can no longer perform some of my job duties, that they will have to let me go. That I could...

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New person

Hi my name is Julie, I am 43 and have a pacemaker. I have had my pacemaker for 4 years and it has changed my life.

I suffered with blackouts for about 30 years and was diagnosed with epilepsy but after have a lot of seizures in a short space of time the Dr did some more tests and found it was heart related and not epilespy.

I joined the patients support group STARS (syncope trust and reflex anoxic seizure) www.stars.org.uk after my daughter also started to have blackouts...

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Need life insurance..with pacemaker

I have seen comments about trouble in obtaining life insurance with a pacemaker. I am 53 years old and want to find a policy. Does anyone know how I can do this? What about the no questions asked, no physical required policy they offer through AARP? Would appreciate any information. Thanks. JoyUnderHisWings-Barb

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what does it mean?

ive had a pm 2wire fitted for 2yrs and just had my pm check up at a differant hospital than usual.
when the technicians were taking the information from the pm, they said ive had 3 heart ocurrances this year 2 in march and one in april (the latter lasted 16 hrs), but not to be concerned because its nothing to worry about unless i start to get them regular then i may need some treatment.

The problem is i cannot recall having them

note - i have tyhroid problems as well

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question on exercise

hi all, i'd just like a little advice from you pros. i was told by the doctors that i could resume normal activities and exercise after 3 weeks of implantation.
but after reading the horror stories of people with leads slipping out of place, i'm now not sure if i should wait longer. advice welcomed

dying for a swim,
verger

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%=%=%= HAPPY BIRTHDAY! =%=%=%

TO:
Smitty May 15, 1929

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Smitty, Happy Birthday to you !!!!!! And many moooore !!!!

It's your birthday again? GEEZ! Weren't you old enough last year?
Just joking! LOL.
I hope your day is wonderful.

~ Dominique ~

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Back home from the hospital

Hi everyone,

I had my ICD implanted on Tuesday, and came back home late yesterday afternoon. Everything went well, and my surgeon, doctors and nurses were all wonderful and really went out of their way to make me comfortable. I have rheumatoid arthritis and can't straighten my arms, and my surgeon actually let me rest my arms across my stomach instead of strapping them to my sides.. he just made me promise I wouldn't try to "help him out" with the surgery!

I had the device...

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Hello Everyone

Hey everyone Just wanted to say hello. Been awhile since ive posted. Been super busy with college. Never realized it was gonna be this stressful. Seems like every semester something bad happens and its always the week of finals. But I am hoping for a nice and easy summer semester :-)
I hope everyone has a wonderful Summer and Welcome to all the new people Ive seen making post. and Last but Not Least HAPPY BIRTHDAY SMITTY :-) YOUR AWESOME.


Britt<3

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Tomorrow is the big day...

So tomorrow is my PM implant. I am excited to finally have all of this sorted out and feel better again but I am also very nervous about the surgery. I have faith in the docotor and the hospital and I know God will be in there with me but Im still a bit nervous. What should I expect tomorrow? Part of me wants to be asked to be completely under and not just local anesthetics. Can I ask for that?

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Soccer

I'm 51 and just got my PM last Friday, completely unexpectedly. I passed out a few times and my heart stopped for too long, so I was told it was a no-brainer. I'm sure it was the right call. Other than these episodes, my heart is in great shape and the doctor told me there shouldn't be any restriction on exercising, so I'd like to continue playing soccer on over-40 and over-50 teams. However, I've read that if you have a PM you should avoid contact sports, though, and sometimes it can get pr...

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Sore Area at PM Site

Hi,
I'm 2 1/4 years past the surgery to implant my PM.
I have noticed lately from time to time that I have a
sensation at the PM site. I can't quite describe it but it is just irritating; not really a pain. It seems to be inside of my skin at the PM.

I did notice this time that it was after I did some yardwork.
Of course, using the rake caused those muscles near the PM to move quite a bit.

I'm wondering if the PM might be slipping back and forth in it...

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I'm Around Anyone for Chat

Hi folks I am going into chat seems I have missed everyone again. Billie

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Gallbladder surgery

OK. I'm sorry to be off the topic of pm's here, but I was curious who in this wonderful club has ever undegone gallbladder surgery? I'm due to have mine out June 9th, and I was just looking for info. from people who have had it done. I have time on my hands waiting for June 9th, so I keep thinking about it.

The surgery will be done on an outpatient basis because it is being done laparoscopically. Gallbladder problems run in the women in my family, and my HIDA scan showed an abno...

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hi everyone

well i am here looking at the snow on the mountains very beautiful. it takes your breath away really. my grandchildren are just so enjoyable. we are having a good time laughing and joking. so it wasa direct flight from london ontario and then only 3 hours and 40 minites with westjet. they are the best! lol so feel privileged to be here and be a part of their young lives. jess

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Pacemaker help

Hi,
I am new here and wanted to know if anyone could help or maybe have some of the same problems...
I had my pacemaker put in 2006 and ever since then nothing but problems!

1.The device moved/shifted from my left shoulder to under my left armpitt. (one of the Dr said that the hematoma shifted it another said no it was just placed wrong)

2.It is unconfortable to move my arm...actually very painful to move it.

3.I feel like the pacemaker is rubbing ag...

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Photo upload?

Blake,

I uploaded a photo two weeks ago or so but have never seen it in the gallery. Is there an issue with the picture?

Thanks!

Theresa (tks)

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Interesting Article

Copy and paste link into browser


http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/H/HEART_DEVICES?SITE=1010WINS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

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Av Block - no other primary reason?

Hi everyone -

I am very excited to find this site dedicated to those of us in this unique club. I am a 40 y/o male and last Monday (5/5) I failed my stress test (could not get a heart rate above 78). On Tuesday I had a heart cath which showed a healthy heart, valves and arteries. No blockages. I also had a holter monitor for a couple days and an echo. By Thursday I had the pacemaker installed to treat Level II AV block.

Its clear I have level II AV block but its not...

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You know you're wired when...

Like the Energizer Bunny, you keep going.

Member Quotes

I am 100% pacemaker dependant and have been all my life. I try not to think about how a little metal box keeps me alive - it would drive me crazy. So I lead a very active life.