Most Recent Messages

AFib below the threshold for detection?

I've been having what feels like an SVT at night most nights.  My Kardia 6L keeps saying either possible AFib or unclassified.  Had them run a check, no events recorded.  Threshold for recording is above 200BPM.  My last SVT was not AFib and was below the threshold.  The tech told me also fine AFib sometimes does not get picked up.  He said he changed the settings for me so that it would mode switch to 80 BPM V paced if I had any lower rate SVT and I would kn...

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I am back, apologies for my delayed absence.

It's been a long and interesting year, and unfortunately I locked myself out of my account and was distracted by other life events.  To anyone I missed over the last year my apologies!

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Permanent AF

When I first had my pacemaker it was set up with two leads as I was in AF 60% of the time, but I was constantly gasping for breath. 

They tell me I am now in AF 100% of the time and so they have switched off my upper lead. 
 

Has anyone else had this happen to them and has it helped?

Di

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When will I be able to scratch my right shoulder/back again 🙃

Hey everyone! I just had surgery 1/4/23 but it's KILLING me not being able to do something as simple as itch my right shoulder/right side of my upper back because whenever I try to reach over to the right I feel my pacemaker :( 

my doc didn't put it under the muscle either- which I wish he would have.... but it's a little to late for that.

 

obvi I understand everyone is different with healing, but I'm just wondering how long it took you to get your...

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High Voltage Transmission Lines - Interference?

Hi, I have a medtronic pacemaker (it is in bipolar mode - I think that's relevant to my question based on my research thus far!).  I am considering buying a home that is adjacent to high voltage transmission lines (230kV).  The backyard literally backs up to the transmission lines/right of way, so they would be very close.  Would this be a concern for my pacemaker?  I have found some articles and comments here and elsewhere that it is fine to pass under these...

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Relief band follow up

With my ep's approval, I ordered a relief band to test out. That's the tens bracelet for motion sickness that I posted about last week.

My heart rate stayed steady with it turned on. It also stayed steady when I put it directly over my device. Since I'll be wearing it for a sailing trip I wanted to make sure it would be ok if I accidentally got it too close in my sleep, and it was fine. I used my oximeter. Rate remained unchanged and zero symptoms with it turned of...

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Another thank you

Thank you, Gemita.

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A big thank you

I'm unable to find an individual reply button for resposes to my question from yesterday, so I'll just send a big "Thank you" to Tracy E, Lavender, Agent 86x and Old Male for all the great advice.  It's very helpful.  If anyone out there can point me to a "reply" button here, please pass it along.

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Riding Lawnmowers

I had a pacemaker put in November 27, 2022. I have a medtronic model W1DRO1 with 2 leads. Does anyone out there have a problem with their pacemaker using a riding lawnmower.  I will check with my doctor and see what he says but I was wondering if any of the pacemaker club has had a problem.

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Hello from Australia, new to all this

Hi Folks,

 

 I'm a 55year old male and was diagnosed with HOCM about 6 years ago.

It was a shock but did answer some questions as to why I was having trouble exercising (I used to do long distance cycling events), it also put a halt to my hobby of motor racing as they would not endorse my license anymore.

 Anyway three weeks ago I collapsed for a few seconds, stupidly I left it till the next day to go to hospital... Now here I am...

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Just a problem

I have never felt worse since getting a pacemaker defibrillator inserted. Continuous muscle twitches in left arm. I am told by my Experts that it is not caused by my operation, even though I never had problems before. Just fed up not sure best action I have had 75 good years so 

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When can I resume playing racquetball?

Hi, all, and thanks for this wonderful, informative website. I have had A-fib for 7 years, well controlled for the past 2 years with Flecainide. Having been diagnosed more recently with branch block disease and slow conductivity, I was advised that, since Flecainide, by design, slows the signals down, it was contraindicated with conductivity disease, unless a pacemaker was inserted. I had the procedure done on January 27th, and am now the proud owner of a Medtronic Azure XT DR MRI.<...

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Pacemaker settings for sports and fitness

Hi, I am a 56 year old male that is a life long runner and cyclist. I am due to have a pacemaker implanted in 3 weeks. The whole saga started about 6 months ago and I have had 3 ablations to successfully treat atrial flutter and AFIB. I have also been diagnosed with sinus node dysfunction, ie slow conduction. I had one black out episode when I transitioned out of AFIB, and was told that this condition would likely get worse even with the AFIB successfully treated. Also have cardiomyopathy, a...

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Fist PM yesterday, can't sleep, sssooo tired.

Hi. 

I had my first pacemaker fitted yesterday, the surgery itself was OK ish, I have allergies to anti bionics and painkillers, I was given an antidote before being given two iv antibiotics pre surgery. 

The local anaesthetic initially didn't work and I felt the cut until the nurse shouted to stop. They gave me a sedative which didn't seem to work at all but due to my allergies I could not have painkillers. 

The vein they wanted to use for the tw...

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Sinking feeling?

Every morning before I get up, I have a "sinking, feeling of doom" problem.  I  have thought it was because I just was not a morning person.  It is really depressing and I only feel better after coffee!  I have had PM for 4 years and just posted another message on a question of why? my resting HR which is set to stay above 70, has been creeping down to 67, 68 and 69 this week???  i am 82 and in good health, exercise 6 days a week, Curves and GYM treadmi...

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Pacemaker set at 70

My pacemaker HR is set to not go under 70 and it never has until recently.  The last 5 days it rests at 69 ,68 and today 67.  My fitbit is 4 years old and I wonder if it can not be accurate?  I recently had my device check and no problems.  Has anyone else had this problem, and maybe it is not a problem!  Thanks

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For those that are following my updates...

So, as I said in a previous post, they have completed the install of my new Medtronic CTR-D last Wednesday. They ended up taking both leads out because they were "entangled." I felt great for a couple of days and started having chest pains which I thought was due to the breathing tube, camera, and whatever else they shove down your throat! Anyway, Sunday I started to feel a bit weak. Sunday night I couldn't get a full breath. I'm still thinking the damage from the tubes.. Mo...

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Let's talk about the SyncAV study......

Hello Gemita

I want to follow up with you about the Abbott SyncAV study that I am participating in.

The study is completely voluntary.  And as I mentioned earlier, it is a blind study and you can also choose to have your data “de-identified”.

The study is being conducted in approximately 150 sites worldwide and includes up to 1400 subjects.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate changes in heart size between the first baseline visit and 12 months in p...

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Just joined

Hello all:

I got a Biotronik dual chamber pacemaker implant last Thursday (March 2nd) and I'm still getting familiar with all the does and don'ts of living with it. 

What I'm confused about here is the power tool restrictions, mainly gas powered ones.  We live on 2 1/2 acres of trees, brush, rocks, critters ( well, you get the picture).  I have a gas powered weed whacker, 2 gas powered chain saws, a gas powered pole saw and a multitude of electric power...

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Still unsteady

Hi, first post, apologies it may be a bit long but I'm not sure what will prove relevant.

I was admitted to hospital at the end of January after two consecutive days of nearly blacking out and then actually doing so in the street on the third. For the two weeks prior to that I'd been aware of things sometimes not seeming quite right, particularly when out - hard to describe, but the nearest was the lack of balance I felt when first wearing varifocals. Although it seemed clear fr...

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You know you're wired when...

You name your daughter “Synchronicity”.

Member Quotes

My ICD/pacer is not a burden. I still play tennis and golf.