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IT'S TIME FOR A GOOD HEALTHY LAUGH.

It's been a while since we've had something to laugh about. I hope this little quip makes up for it.

The following quotes were taken from actual medical records dictated by physicians. They appeared in a column written by Richard Lederer, Ph.D. for the Journal of Court Reporting. These and other language gems will be featured in Lederer's new book - Fractured English, to be published by Pocket Books in the fall of 1997.

* By the time he was admitted, his rapid heart h...

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You Rang...?

"I'm sorry to hear she's been a bit off lately"
Hey, wait a minute; I’m not off! Oh, health wise you mean… :)

First, thank you Cathryn, Jessie, Tammy, and Suze for all the prayers. It truly means a lot to me. Its so good to chat with people on this site, b/c even though the world is psycho and demented, its great to know that there are people who truly care about others, especially if they haven’t even met in person! But then again, some can also be caring and psycho, haha j...

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Pacemaker

On 6/8/2007 I had to go to the emergency room due to sharp chest pains, at first i didn't want to go thinking it was gas!!! but pain was getting worse so i decided it was time for me to go to the hospital. As soon as I got into the emergency I had a heart attack!!! my heart stoped for 5 seconds (flatline) hr later second heart attack, heart stops for 6 seconds, minutes later third heart attack, this time stops for 8 seconds, I only woke up for the cardiologist to tell me I needed a pacemaker and...

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Update--again

Hi everyone,

I wasn't sure if I should post this...I just want everyone on this site to know how much I appreciate all the kind words and encouragement I've been given.

I went to my EP's colleague yesterday to talk about possibly extracting my device and repositioning it on the other side. He said he would do it, but he called the procedure on me "dangerous" and "life-threatening." He made no hesitation to scare the living c__p out of me. I don't want to do anything in this...

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TENS and pacemaker

I have a pacemaker placed due to asymptomatic high grade AV block on 6/25/07. I had a lumbar fusion with instrumentation on 1/24/07. I was using a TENS unit for pain control and neuropathy in my leg. Just wondering if anyone knows if it is safe to use my TENS unit with pacemaker.

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possible pacemaker infection

Hi everyone. I am a 34 woman who had my pacemaker placed on 6/25/07 (St. Jude) for asymptomatic high grade AV block. Since 7/15/07 I have had drainage from my incision site and the site keeps opening more, it is now about halfway open. I was started on Keflex 500mg four times a day. I have seen my EP doc 2 times since then and have been to the ER twice. I am fearful that my pocket will become infected and will need my pacemaker replaced. After 9 days of antibiotics the site is still draining lot...

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interfere

does anyone know if an icd can interfere with radio equipment I am a 911 Dispatcher

Thanks Denise

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Confused about type of sensor

Hello club,
I am scheduled to recieve a PM next month. I enjoy running and cycling alot. I only have slow resting heart rate. So far, my rate climbs normally when excercising. What is the best sensor for runners and cyclists? Accelerometer? Or minute ventilator?


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Defective Pacemaker

Just recently had to replace my pacemaker (model #5370) because of a "defect". The surgery this time took alot out of me - can't seem to get my energy level back and I'm unable to walk long distances. Has anyone experienced this? It might be that I'm expecting too much too soon. My surgery was just last week. Would appreciate any comments or advice you might have to offer. Thanks.

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What's recovery time/process like?

After 15 years of dealing with an idiopathic arrythmia I've arrived at the point where it's time for a pacemaker - bottom end of my heart rate is now going too low. I'm pretty cool with the whole idea, given that I figured out 15 years ago that I'd need one of these things eventually. I'm just glad the technology exists and that it works - thanks to all those who have done this before me! So I go for my implant sometime in August.

But being the active (and otherwise healthy) person t...

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An update.

Hi all. I have not posted for a while, so I thought I would update everyone. I still read the site daily, and am greatfull for the information.
I had my lower rate set @ 80 in january and they were going to change the rate to 60 at a later date. When they changed the rate in May, within 24 hours of my base rate being set @ 60 I had headaches, dizzyness and was exhausted.
I waited about 6 weeks to see if my body would adjust and had no improvement. Mid june I had my lower rate changed...

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Stopped working

Hi everyone, just wanted you all to know that my pacemaker has stopped working and i have to go in in a few days time to have a new one. Mine lasts for 3 years and in May this year i started beeping, went to the hospital and was told that my batteries were going and that i have 3 months to change them before they went completely dead. As i was alarming 4 times a day and was quite loud i had the alarms turned off. To my surprise on thursday i was beeping again. Went in friday and was told it was...

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cough

Hi Folks,
I had my implant at the end of April...things went very well. I am doing fine. I did start a cough..dry..and it has lasted up to this day. My GP says there is nothing in my lungs..it must be an allergy. I was just wondering if anybody that the same symptom..I really don't think it is the PM but I though I would ask...I am on vasotec for the last 10 years so I don't beleive it is the drug...any suggestions/
Gary

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Getting a new lead in a different country

Hi all! Let me just it's wonderful that there is a site like this one. I'm 29 and I've had a pacemaker for 5 years now, due to neurocardiogenic syncope... I've felt much better since then, except for the last few months when I got exceptionally tired. So I went to see the pacemaker technician and they said they have to replace a lead. The NHS, in the UK, just sent me a letter saying that I'm being admitted on Monday to replace the lead. I'm originally from Mexico and have always been treated in...

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Very confused and nervous

Hello,
I am a very physically active 48 yr old male. I have been diagnosed with a Bradycardia. I have a resting heart rate of 40-45. I have had a slow rate of 50-58 for 25 years. I am only now becoming symptomatic with dizziness, etc. I enjoy running and can get my heart to respond normally when I start running, but it slows to below normal when I stop. Since I only need help with my resting heart rate, are there clubmembers that can recommend the best PM? Rate responsive? Type of sensor? S...

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Medical ID bracelet

So my wife thinks I should get a medical bracelet or chain to make any emt's, docs etc of my situation. Does anyone else have them? Where did you get them from? What do they say?

thanks

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Noony I felt my pacer too

I had a St. Jude 5346 implanted in 2001. About a year later I had the same problem.

You could see my abdomen jumping. A friend told me he kids did not kick that much.

I had a very helpful cardio and after several adjustments he got it stopped. If i understood him correctly he felt the voltage was too high; I was very thin at the time and he felt it was transferring the pulse to my diaphram. (I could be a little off on the explanation - but it worked)

I guess...

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funny symptoms

hi all i had a st. judes dual lead pacemaker inserted five years ago for occassional second degree heart block picked up incidentally on 48 hour tape investigating symptoms for fast heartbeat. i am waiting for surgery to have pocket revision as pacemaker flipping over (was supposed to have had ths done jan2007 but consultant went on long term sick leave!) i have an appointment to see another specialist in aug. i have a few problems and wondered if anyone had any answers.Basically pain on pacemak...

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Just a quick update...

Hello everyone, still no diagnosis.

Went to pain specialists...got more pain meds. They questioned whether my body is reacting to the pacemaker itself (good thought, except my EP doesn't buy it). Went to vasc guy--spent not more than 5 minutes with me without even looking at my arm (or even my legs with the bad varicose veins). His "intern" only did a little without even letting me completely tell him what was going on. Total waste of time.

Went on to ortho. Didn't take t...

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Soreness,shoulder pain

I found this wonderful site last night and joined immediately. A big thank you to you all for describing all your initial fears and pain - at last I know I am normal.

I have been in pain since June 12 when I had my Medtronic PM inserted. Glue was put on my wound and it would not move until after a month and the pain is less intense. I now have soreness where the PM is, at the side near the shoulder and the shoulder itself. The sorenes is also all across the collar bone and across...

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You know you're wired when...

Jerry & The Pacemakers is your favorite band.

Member Quotes

My pacemaker was installed in 1998 and I have not felt better. The mental part is the toughest.