Most Recent Messages

chat

I have about 15 minutes before I need to go to bed. Anybody for a chat?

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how to deal

Hey Everybody,
Well as some of you know, I have been fainting almost daily for 4 years. I got my PM in June and am hoping with a little tweaking that the faints will slowly get better.
The problem is that I seem to be losing my friends. I had a great group of friends that used to hang out all the time and call to talk almost daily. Since the fainting, I have noticed that they don't seem to call much anymore and when they make plans to get together...I am usually left out.
I try...

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Phone Check?

Can anyone tell me what is the point of doing phone checks on a pacemaker. I received mine in June of 2007 and have been in for office for Medtronic Rep. checks.They have been booking me for every 8 weeks. Can they tell as much in short amount of time what the heck is going on? I had another one today and am booked for 8 weeks again. What information do they really get from them unless you are having a problem at that time?Does it record everything that has been going on since your last check?<...

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Rate Response Switch

Hi

Would really appreciate someone explaining to me what this switch is and what it does? I have a Medtronic dual chamber PM. Seeing my cardiologist for 5 week check up and am very breathless (wasn't before the PM) and would just like to understand a bit more about this particular setting. It is often mentioned in postings so it seems to be important. I am seeing him midday London UK time tomorrow, Tuesday 11th - sorry I only just thought of this.

Thanks.

Susa...

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Not up to par: Part II

I told the producer of the film I'm on in Israel (an old friend) that I had a PM (he was shocked) and would like to check/tweak the settings. After assuring him that I wasn't about to drop dead, they found me an EP in Jerusalem and confirmed that everything was working alright. He did make a little tweak to shorten the time between my atrial and ventricle to see if that would help. Time will tell, but I'm glad I went.

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Longest one has lived while pacer dependant?

How long is the longest someone has lived with a pacemaker? And what problems are expected from long term pacing?

From my research, modern implanted artificial pacemakers have only been available for about 35 years (some were available in the 1960s but not very successful) - since the 1970s. I guess I assumed until recently that they have been in use for much longer.

My son is a toddler and got his pacer at birth due to complete heart block (caused by maternal autoanti...

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Tiredness

OK - blood test came back with just white blood cell count low. Nothing else relevant. I am not anaemic, no thyroid problem or diabetic.

I am really trying to be positive. I am getting back to exercise, went on X-trainer for 15 mins on Sunday and 20mins today. Why oh why can I not feel energetic! or for that normal.

Feeling pretty low, do not want to go down the road of taking anti-depressants I must be able to get back to normal.

Any suggestions!

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well its done

hey thanks for all the tips i do apreciate them. yep surgery no big deal but not driving or doing anything for 2 weeks is the tough part. I was a cop but now they say i cant do that and shouldnt be around transmiting equipment..or powers tools etc...etc... so what do you do if you cant do anything else..Im not complaining just wondering what is next?????

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Not up to par

So here I am in Israel on a 4 week consulting trip. I'm 5 weeks out from my second PM implant and I'm just not feeling great. The PM is working insofar as I can tell my checking my pulse, but it doesn't seem to have given me my endurance back for climbing uphill or fast walking. My pulse is pumping away, but I still feel out of breath. My last PM had me feeling so normal that I forgot about it. My settings must be off from what I had before.

My question is, should I wait anoth...

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Anyone hear of this one?

Hey all, I've been dealing with a new complication. Anyone ever hear of, or have a blockage in the subclavian vein? Evidently this is the newest blockage I've developed. It has been causing steadily worsening symptoms of swelling in my arm and hand, bulging veins, and severe pain. Another venogram is scheduled. Dr.'s can't figure out why I keep developing blockages. Been in and out of the ER. Also found out my pacemaker has moved. Not been a good couple of weeks!
Bambi

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Length of Battery Life

Just a query. How long does a battery last in a pacemaker?

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Yawn !!!

Hi Friends!!
Could any one tell me if they started to get tired when getting close to battery running low?
I got mine 23rd Apr.04 and was told last year that mine was over half way gone.I am having my next pm check in a few weeks time.I mostly have a lot of energy but noticed the last couple of months I get really tired.It could be our hot summer or a lot of babysitting but things like that dont usually make me tired/I think I have read that other people here have felt this way but cou...

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friend with RBBB

Just a note to thank all of you for your comments on my friend with RBBB. He now has a dual chamber pacemaker, it was implanted on Friday March 7, 2008. He is doing well and came home on Saturday.

Margaret

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Polar monitor or PM malfunction?

I recently rejoined the gym and have been experiencing odd readings on my Polar monitor. It will jump to above my high rate then show a reading of anywhere from 0 to 140 then level off. It primarily happens when doing isometric exercises for core strengthening as opposed to on cardio equipment. I wore it outside the gym to rule out interference from equipment and it happens when at rest also, although not as frequently. Since I'm not sensitive to fluctuations in my heart rate, I can't real...

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Rapid Heart Rate Strikes Again!

Many of you have probably read my previous posts concerning rapid heart rate. Well, this afternoon while driving home, the rapid heart rate reared it's ugly head again. I was just calmly driving through our quiet neighborhood when my heart started pounding, I got short of breath, and I became very dizzy. I barely made into the house, and then I passed out. I was home alone, so I don't really know how long I was out...I just remember waking up on the floor.
I have a history of fainting becau...

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lead migration

i had a three-wire pacemaker-defib st. jude unit implanted feb. 18, 2008. at my 2-week checkup, the company reps had hard time finding the pacing feature.
doctor said one of the wires had migrated inside the heart vein and i wasn't getting the pacing feature. i'm scheduled to return to have this lead either pushed further into the vein or removed and have another one put in.
my question: why didn't they fix this problem when i was in hospital? i stayed overnight after the implant. the...

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loss of vision

Hi Everyone,

This PM family is so supportive and informative I think I'm a little spoiled. I have searched the internet for a similar site for Age Related Macular Degeneration. As much as I hate to admit it, I am losing my vision fairly quickly and need to get into a site where ideas, problems and solutions are discussed in a similar fashion as we do here with our PM's etc. I had a very traumatic event with my vision last night and need to get on it as quickly as possible.

...

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?????????

Where have all the regulars gone? Just would like you to know that you are missed very much. Feel like I lost part of my family. You did so much for me and many others. Probably more than you know. I am sure if you are reading this you know who you are. Come back! Please! Don't make me beg.LOL

God bless you,

Amy

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DIETS

Hi
Thought I would ask a question of my fellow bionics.Since I am
going to be at home for about the next month I thought I would start a diet.Before my surgery I weighed 240 and while I am
fairly active I have found that food is my favorite dish.I asked my doctor about one on my last visit,and while I like him very much,he sometimes answers you without answering you.I might also add that I am a type 2 diabetic (meds only) and I have 1 kidney (operation 2001).This may be a question...

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Protective chest gear

Has anyone tried to make their own chest protector. I've been experimenting with ace bandages but there must be something better and more comfortable. I had some suggestions of shirts to buy but they are too bulky and hot for the desert here in Tucson.
Thanks Mary

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You know you're wired when...

You play MP3 files on your pacer.

Member Quotes

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