Most Recent Messages in General Posting

SSS caused by other disorders

Is it foolish of me to want to know what caused my SSS? I know that I should be happy that the pacemaker is there to keep my heart rate within a safe range, but can't help but feel like there is some kind of underlying condition causing it. I have had somewhat strange medical occurrences since childhood, and keep wondering if it all ties together somehow.

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Waiting for e-mail confirmation

Good morning...

What an interesting website!

I signed up a few days ago and am just awaiting the email verification. I've checked "junk" mail. How long does it normally take?

Thank you. I enjoy reading your comments.

rc

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Lead revision/relocation

Hey there everyone! I am completely new to all of this and still trying to find my footing. I had my dual pacemaker placed 6/14 for SSS with severe sinus arrest and bradycardia. My longest pause was 15 seconds. While still in the hospital, I started having very intense, visible, paced spasms in my right ribcage area. They seemed to shrug it off as muscle spasms and gave me Flexoril. A few days later I had had enough and called my pacemaker clinic nurse. She said she had to see me that day and...

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CRT

I'm deciding between having the device under the skin (I'm thin) or behind the muscle.  How noticeable is the device in both cases?  I'm told behind the muscle is more painful, more bleeding, healing time, but it woudn't show as much as below the skin

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Heart rate

Hi All. I am having a little difficulty trying to do some basic exercise. I have a Medtronic dual chamber placed 7 yrs ago. Recently I was having difficulty just walking to take the garbage out where I would have to stop and rest due to being winded quickly.  I thought this was just from needing to exercise more so I joined the gym but continued to get sob easily with an sort of exercise. At my next interrogation visit the new cardiologist noted I was so sob just walking to the room. The...

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recent appointment

HI, Just had an appointment with EP and said im pacing at .4% in the ventricle and 20% in atrium at sleep. any thoughts. I have so many questions to ask and sometimes im dumbfounded and cant get out one word. propably nerves. thanks for being supportive.

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PM

Hi all, just need some info please. The girls will be helpful, the guys ...........not so much. Question; what is the lbest way to wear strap on bra or is there any type of padding to protect incision? Also can you ever sleep on your left side again? Got my PM on 4/20/2021.

Thanks

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Heart rate of 120

Hello all , just wanted to confirm with you all if its normal to have heart rate of 120 . My dad just had pacemaker surgery last month and doctor suggested to lower the heart rate. He started Ivarbrad 5mg medication , but after couple of days my dad started facing breathing issues. So we thought of stopping the medicine and after that the heart rate varies from 90-130 . Our cardiologist is off for a month and we are not comfortable taking medication from someone else. Just wondering if this h...

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Update

Hi all fellow pacers.  It has been awhile since I gave been on here.  Back in October I had a pacemaker implanted. Then after having pneumonia due to Covid I had a vtach episode and landed back in the hospital in December to have it replaced with a CRT-D.  The Dr that did my first surgery did this one as well.  He put it so close to my breast that it started sinking down. I was then transferred to another hospital with more equipped Heart Dr's.  This Dr sched...

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Pace maker has moved

I am post op 11 months with my second pace maker. However after a slight movement to my arm from its location on my left side chest above my breast, this morning it is gone!!  I finally was able to feel the edge of it deep in behind my breast tissue. Is this normal?  My first pace maker move a short distance towards my arm (I am a left side sleeper), but then stayed in place for 7 years.  I have reported it to my doctor, but feeling stressed about having further surgery. <...

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Still waiting but a bit of good news.

Hello y'all,

 I wanted to give you all an update that the transplant coordinator had just called me about the nicotine results.  As soon as I told her I use nicorette she told me that was fine, that the positive test result doesn't stop the process if there is a reason for it.  She said she just needed me to confirm I was not a smoker and that checked the box.

The remainder of my labs have come in and nothing showed up that would be a contraindication for tr...

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Pacemaker and hot weather

Hi.  We live in Spain. My partner got his pacemaker 6 weeks ago and says he feels really well.  However, he has nearly collapsed 2 x recently and says its because of the heat and humidity here. He did recover quickly. He also has had hiccups 2x at night. First time just 2 his second time it was 4. Should I be worried? Should I inform our doctor?

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Teenage daughter preparing for possible pacemaker this summer

Hello,

We have been in the process of figuring out what is going on with our 16 year olds heart. Currently on our 3rd opinion and so far the first two electrophysiologist have agreed that a pacemaker is needed. She is asymptomatic and stable. We happened to find out about her low heart rate at a well child visit. The dr dont have an official diagnosis as she doesnt seems to have a complete heart block but it is too sporadic to be benign. She is a cheerleader who does stunting, loves eve...

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pacemaker

Do pacemakers and hearing aids get along?

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pacemaker

Hello,

I'm new here and am so happy to have found this group. My pacemaker was inserted 4 weeks ago. I'm still having pain around the pacenaker and in my left shoulder.  Is thia normal? Its tolerable but worriedsome.  Is this normal? 

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Panicking

So I am an ex smoker for 2 plus years who still uses nicorette aka Nicotine Replacement Therapy.

I have never hid this fact from any of my physicians and even during my transplant eval mentioned it to them several times.  It is also listed in my electronic medical records.

I know that most transplant centers require abstaining from tobacco products, and knew that I needed to be clear that I use nicotine replacement.  I assumed if they were concerned about this they would...

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Almost on the list!

Just a short update:

Had my final appointment today for dental exam and clearance which thank goodness I passed with flying colors (and my teeth are super clean, had put off dental cleanings during covid and I was well past due). 
 

Aside from a double booster vaccine from a nurse on Monday all my tests are done, I have been watching them come in online and although I am not a doctor I can safely assume with my knowledge and understanding that I am likely all cleare...

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Nursing Home Insurance...

Hi Folks,

I was wondering if anyone here had experience trying to get nursing home insurance after their pacemaker implant?  I'm single, no kids, and reaching that age where I need to start looking around for insurance since there's a darned good chance I'll need it someday.  I remember as a kid, my dad couldn't get life insurance on me (over 40 years later, boy did they loose out).  So, now I'm wondering if nursing home insurnace will be dif...

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rate change

Can some one explain this? 

She is very sensitive to rate changes with pacing so the device was reprogrammed. His notes included

Review of the datalog demonstrates 22% atrial pacing and 99% RV pacing with no arrhythmic events. The device was reprogrammed to make response times quicker with activity. 

This is a patient with a long history of vasovagal syncope who has now developed heart block. She is very sensitive to rate c...

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Anxiety

Hello to All, 

I received my pacemaker in July 2019 due to sick sinus syndrome, however  I have had 2  heart attacks and has 20, 30,  40 percent blockages. I also have leaking mitral and tricuspid valves. 

I am 56 years and lives alone. Since the past week I noticed I have been getting nervous and anxious especially at night regarding my mortality.  I do take medication for anxiety which only happens when I am driving (been taking it for years, not re...

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You participate in the Pacer Olympics.

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