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Smitty...this one for you

Hi Smitty... (or any one else who might know!) Had my pm checkup yesterday and concerned. I have AV node ablation with 99.7% pacing and in afib all the time (single lead) hearblock and on coumadin for life (until yesterday) My pm showed that since Oct 15, I had Ventricular High Rate episodes 3 times ..first 213 then 226. The odd thing is that they happened during the time of day that I would be resting. I don't remember any feeling of dizziness, but concerned because now my cardiologist said i...

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magnetic bracelets

hello been a while since i have been on,i moved back to california from colorado doing prety well i just got approved for soc sec disability after 3 years so thats good.my question is about using magnetic bracelets for severe arthritis in may hands,just had a pm check today and the tech said it would be ok as long as you don't hold it directly on the pacemaker and not wear at night so i bought 2 of them and right on the package it says don't use if you have a pacemaker or difib.was wondering if...

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Beta Blockers

From time to time I see questions and coments here about beta blockers. The following info on beta blockers is a portion of an article from a publication our local HMO. Just thought it may answer some questions since it seems to be written with the layman in mind.

Beta-blockers are used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), congestive heart failure (CHF), abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), and chest pain (angina). Beta-blockers are sometimes used in heart attack patients...

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I just got a pacemaker a week ago...

I am 48,and was having fainting episodes several times a month...once in a patient's room!When my pacemaker was inserted,I felt better almost immediately.Now,a week later,I have returned to work,and feel exhausted.I am freaking out that maybe my pacemaker isn't working,or maybe a lead slipped.I check my pulse,and it is always over 60.Is this normal..did you find yourself "hypersensitive" for a while?

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Prayers can move...

  • by bunnykin
  • 2008-04-23 07:04:26
  • 1430 views
  • 7 comments

Mountains...I think. You wonderful people in PM club are just too 'big hearted'( no pun meant esp. in this site) I have some rather good news for you all.
I think God does give blessings in small doses and we just have to hang in there and wait patiently. If anything we just have to be grateful for little mercies.
It's been a long long week for me and running with my husband from medical centres to hospital labs and then back again to clinics made me really akin to a zombie. I was so...

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Advice (help please)

Hello my name is Lila 25y and I have been diagnosed with Neurocardiogenic syncope (or some know as Vasovagal syncope) this past fall. They give me some meds to bust my blood pressure and I am not sure it is working. I am mom of 2 year old boy and full time student, I am fine for 2-3 weeks and then I get worse, I blackout few times a day for couple of days or weeks. I just recently discovered that there are pacemakers that can help. lately i been thinking about pacemaker, but I needed some adv...

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Infection

I have a friend in another country with a pacemaker. I also have a pacer, have had one for 16 years. His care does not seem to be what we get here in the states.
He is having some infection problems and I was wondering if any one else has had anything similar. Below is from his e-mail.

My chest where the pacemaker is, red, with streaks running out from it like the spokes on a wheel. Also in the center of the red area is a black spot about size of 5c coin

I had a docto...

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Radioactive Iodine (thyroid removal )+ pacemaker

Am i unique or is there anyone out there who has to take thyroxine for thyroid gland removal and have a pacemaker?

Do you have trouble cordinating your medications?
Please get in touch

allan

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New to PM

Hello All,

Iam 39 years old and Iam going to have my first PM on Wednesday.I have had a 2:1 av block since childhood but never any symptoms but now Iam dizzy all the time and have spells of nausea so my doctor has insisted that I need pacing.
Iam worried how it will effect me afterwards as I have a 3 year old and I still want another child.My cardiologist has just said everything will be better after.Iam also worried about recovery time and the possiblity of getting depression. A...

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Beta blockers making me breathless?

is it normal to feel breathless on Beta blockers and it seems to be more acute after I eat?
Or is it that perhaps I only have a certain part of my pacemaker switched on I am sure I heard the technicians say when they were fine tuning me that this bit doesnt need to be switched on and it will save on the battery life my pacemaker is a dual lead and itis the kind that can out run initial bursts of afib and i require beta blockers to do the rest.

Does fluctuating the specific time y...

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Rollercoaster List

I have had a pacemaker since I was 10, i am 27 now, and I am now starting to have some issues... Now days they make alot of rollercoasters with electromagnets..can anyone out there give me a list of rollercoasters that have electromagnets?
Also..I just got denied a tattoo at a tattoo shop because of my pacer, they said I needed a doctors note..grrr..has anyone here had a tattoo with a pacer? Thanks ahead of time for advice and responses.

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cathrynB reply reg. REmodeling

Hi cathryn, Yes remodelling is a term sometimes used by doctors. Bearing in mind I still have permanent AF etc my heart has jumped through a hoop and performed a miracle. This was not expected by the doctors. They are dumfounded by my incredible almost unheard of recovery under the circumstances. They are shocked at how well I look. I do help myself though, ive never smoked only have a drink once a week and get a good nights rest and eat well. I tell the doctors I feel 15 years younger but actua...

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To the ladies!

I was wondering if any ladies would be able to answer this question for me. Have any of you had a breast reduction after having a pacemaker? If so how was your recovery and was it more complicated?
Thanks,
Tammy

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biking

i just had my 2 week checkup post implant and everything seems to be going ok, I want to get back to exercising specifically biking, was wondering what precautions i should take. With my upright bike i'm not too concerned but with my mtn bike i'm a little hesitant because of posture ie more strain on shoulders, arms, and wrists. I'm pacing 100% in my ventricles. any information on getting back into an exercising program would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

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ONE YEAR SINCE IMPLANTATION

Its just over 365 days since I left hospital after a AV node ablation and a bi-phase resynchronising guidant pacemaker fitted. Only 2 leads were fitted as I have permanent Atrial Fibrillation which adding the third lead could not help.(this approach surprised the makers of my pacemaker who were taken aback when I told them the third lead was not fitted).Instead my ventricles only are beating in synchrony between 70 and 120 beats per minute. The decision as to whether or not to have the AV node a...

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Welding

Hello,
I have a new PM and need to continue welding. I read that welding should be 24 inches away from PM and if affected, that it is only temporary. How temporary it didn't say.
I want to know if anyone else has a problem welding. I needed the PM because heartbeat dropped to 39 beats/minute shown by holter monitor (much to my surprise).
If and when the therapist cures my shoulder pain, (which he thinks is a pinched nerve), I need to weld some.
Thank you for any input,

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Toprol

This is my first time here! I had PM implanted Feb.14th of this year. I don't want to take Toprol because of the side effects...other medications had the same bad side effects for me. I feel better not taking any. But I don't feel near as good as I did the first week after surgery. Does anyone else feel they are better off not taking the recommended Toprol/meds also and get by just fine?
Thanks,
Don

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Shoulder Pain

Hi,
My new PM has given me another problem. That of shoulder pain and limited range of motion. I am working with a PT but he thinks we will have to try something different soon as he thinks I have a "pinched nerve". If the PT can't fix this, can a pinched nerve be corrected without surgery. What could have caused the pinched nerve?
Thank you,
Don

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Prayers from you / Thanks!

  • by bunnykin
  • 2008-04-22 01:04:45
  • 1015 views
  • 4 comments

This seems so lame but I took a good dose of xanax to sleep last night as it's not going to help if I don't get enought rest and fall sick too. At this time I need to be stronger than my husband whatever my cardiac situation is.
I went straight for my labtop as if I have something to cling on for comfort and stability besides the family.
THANKS SO MUCH to all who responded to my plea for prayers. This afternoon my husband, Paul (for Sharon/Calif who asked his name for purpose of prayer...

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Need your Prayers...

  • by bunnykin
  • 2008-04-21 12:04:02
  • 960 views
  • 11 comments

Hi friends,
This is all so sudden; It may be quite irrelevant to post it here but I know as a member, you my PM/ICD friends are a group of kind and wonderful people I can turn to.
I am requesting for your prayers if it's okay; My husband had a colonoscopy done last friday and had found many polyps, and Dr was able to remove all but one. He said this last one was difficult to remove cos it's lying in awkward position and will need proper surgery to take it out clear and clean. Cos of hi...

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