Most Recent Messages in Checkups & Settings

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new meds

Hi all. Had the first visit to my consultant on Friday since Jan 10th when I had my p.m fitted. A couple of things, he has taken me off the Bisoporol, side effects were not nice after three months, and it was doing little to control a 'flutter'. I've been put on two tabs now. Flecainide twice a day and one Verapamil (vera-til sr). Also my pm is too close to the surface, the wires from it are quite proud and the whole area very tender I think it may be weight loss in that area? So it is going to...

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Is setting too high?

I had my initial pm put in about 8 years ago and the low number was set at 60 and I felt pretty good. Was pacing about 40% of the time. I had to change doctors and I needed a new pacer due to the battery. The new one is set at 50. I feel tired all the time and don't have much energy. The dr said it is fine set at 60. I am now only pacing about 8% of time. I also get light headed alot more but thankfully haven't had any passing out.

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First Checkup - Done

Firstly thanks for the direct and indirect help from the forum members. I had my first checkup yesterday, 3 weeks after the initial procedure (and a few major complications).

Thanks to the forum, I was much more prepared for this and was able to ask sensible questions.

It looks like the complications I had, have now settled down and are unlikely to reoccur or affect me again.

The PM is working fine with an estimated 11 years to go (sure to change over time). Lead...

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PM adjustment

Hi everyone! Went back to get my PM adjusted AGAIN (twice since my surgery on 4-09) But NOW I feel great!!!!!!! Dr. had put my PM low rate up to 80 thinking this would help me not feel the PAC's as much but I felt miserable! It did not help with the PAC's! Really haven't been feeling the best since the surgery. But today the Medtronic rep adjusted the Rate Response. Didn't think to ask about that before - just knew it was on for SSS.

So he adjusted the RR to low sensitivity and...

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Today is tomorrow...

The 17th I sent a...whats it called...strip by phone? They said everything is fine.
Remember I said I had issues the evening before? This was Sunday evening. I did. Thats when Nascar went...is it called EOL?? My device nurse was quite shocked. I go back next week to see when I get Nascar2.
Nascar1 runs at 100%, 100% of the time.
At least I know why these things were happening. Very long day and I am quite tired.
Have a lovely evening, Kreth

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Tomorrow is the day

My "check-up" is with the device nurse. They read the strip and say the pacemaker is fine. That just is not enough info. No matter who I see, same answer.
[I had issues yesterday in the evening which lasted for quite a while. I will make them aware of this].
I will also be asking for copies of my records. Will they give me a copy of the strip?
Note, I do realize the "device nurse" is there just to check the strip, and not "doctor" me.
Nascar [the PM], has been very differ...

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Advice needed please

Hello this is Yolanda, I had my PM put in on 3/6/13 (Boston Scientific dual chamber model K063). My setting were initially 60 low and 145 high and then my sensitivity was adjusted twice between 3/13 and 3/27 in which my sensitivity was turned up so i could begin exercising some to lose the 45 pounds i put on prior to PM. When i went in to see my Dr to get medical clearance to return to work as I am a R.N., he made more adjustments which included increasing my high to 160 because from 3/27 to 4/1...

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TraceyE

Hi Tracey just wanted to let you know I posted another comment asking a few more questions under the message "Need some advice." Since it is an old post I thought you would not see it.

Thanks sooo much,
juju

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general comment

hi iam just learning how to get on the site with every one so I don't no what I doing I got my pacemaker feb 26 2013 I go to get a ck up may2

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time for a ck up

hi every one I go back to the doctor may2 for my first ck up I ben doing so so it be four weeks Tuesday when I got my pacemaker.

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need some advice...

Hi to all. Been having some problems and need expert advice. So I had my 1st PM put in on 4-09. Surgery went well and so has the healing process. Cardio Dr. set the PM low rate at 70 and upper 130. The first week I felt very dizzy with very queasy stomach but felt more energy. I called and the Dr had me come in on the 16th along with a Medtronic's rep and they checked everything and all was good. I was also having more problems with the PAC's. They reset my PM low setting to 80 and thoug...

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First check up!

I had my first check up today. I got my pm for syncope, and it is set with a rate drop response and a minimum. The minimum was 60 and he changed it to 50. I was expecting to hear it hadn't paced much, but apparently it was in use 458 times in the last 8 days! So lowering the minimum will probably lower that a lot. They said it was used approximately 17% of the time. I had a couple episodes where I had a rate in the 170s before it plummeted. I don't know why, as I've done nothing more than lay in...

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Weird pains - Getting ready for first checkup

Hi all, it has been one week since I got my pm and my first checkup is tomorrow. I think I'm recovering well, but I do have some weird feelings every now and again. Last night as I was trying to fall asleep, I had a pain that hurt with every heartbeat which I could feel very strongly. I tried to find a better sleeping position but it didn't make any difference. It lasted around 45 minutes. This morning everything feels fine. Occasionally, when I either speed up or slow down (like sitting down af...

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Pacer Follow-Up

I just had my pacemaker checked a few weeks ago (sorry it took me so long - life is super busy!) at my new hospital! All I can say is, I do not regret leaving my old hospital for a second! I'm now being seen at Johns Hopkins, and not ONCE was I met by a single rude or dismissive comment. How refreshing!

Anyway, I still have about 4.5 years left on the battery, and next month I will have had it for 10 years!!! It was only supposed to last 8 years, and the ones before it only lasted 4,...

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1st pm check

Well, I go to see cardiologist for my first pm check. Now I can ask why my heart races so fast just walking to another room. I take my pulse and it is almost 98 bpm when my rate is set at 70, and then it quickly goes back down when I sit. Does anyone else have this issue? Hope it is something he can adjust.

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Can anyone explain PET/CT results

I just had a ICD implanted replacing my PM implanted for 2nd degree heart block, due to evidence of cardiac sarcoid They just did a PET/CT scan to determine level of sarcoid in my heart. Can anyone explain the below results to me.

Results from N-13 ammomia MPI "Essentially fixed moderate to severe perfusion abnormality involving the basal septum extending in the mid to distal anteroseptal and anterolateral regions is associating no obvious regional wall abnormality" "No fixed or reve...

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Upper Tracking Rate change

After more than 10 years with a PM (this is my second) I've been having some problems recently and today had a meeting with my nurse practitioner, my EP and the rep. from Boston Scientific (who drove 2 hrs from Mass. just for the meeting!) to try and get to the bottom of it.
No-one's really sure what's going on, but lots of small tweaks were made, and in particular - at my request - my upper tracking rate increased from 155 to 165. We'll see how that goes - thanks to members here for discu...

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all is well

Well, had my first pm check and was given all is good. I asked about the rapid heart rate with minimal activity and they are going to reduce my base rate during the day. Was also told I need to start doing the treadmill at l Inciseast 15 minutes each day so I will start that tomorrow as I like to o exercises early in the day. My incision is healing well and have just the smallest amount of discomfort when I push on the area. I really appreciate this website because it makes me know that I am...

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Evia SR: problems?

Hello All,

My daughter finally received her pacemaker ten days ago, her surgeon opted to implant a Biotronic Evia SR. She is experiencing extreme heart pounding, diaphragmatic pacing, headache, pressure in her chest. She is pacing with great frequency. She has been seen in ER twice with complete workups and the implantation is sound in all ways. We made the four hour trip back to her surgeon, he had called in the Biotronic rep and between him, the pacemaker nurse and the rep, they...

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What to Ask

Morning everyone - been lurking for a couple of days and have now decided to post my situation and first question.

My first question: My first PaceMaker followup is coming up on 22nd April - What the heck should I be asking or looking for!

My situation: UK based, 3 Backouts in 8 months, Loop Monitor implanted. 5 weeks later, data was recovered and I was told I needed a PaceMaker inserted asap, so was booked in the next day (my heart had been stopping at night for durations...

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You take technology to heart.

Member Quotes

I have had my pacer since 2005. At first it ruled my life. It took some time to calm down and make the mental adjustment. I had trouble sleeping and I worried a lot about pulling wires. Now I just live my life as I wish.