Most Recent Messages in General Posting

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What medicines do you take when you have a cold/flu?

Hey everyone!

I was wondering what over the counter medication you all use for a cold/flu? I have a runny nose, scratchy throat and a very bad cough!

I tried calling my doctor and they said I can only take medicines that don't contain Sudafed. 
 

my condition is 3rd degree heart block and I just got my PM 30 days ago.

Any help would be appreciated, thank you!!

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Pains around left chest and lower left ribs

I had my ICD surgery in march 2018, The last 6 or so months I've been getting Aching pains on my left chest, sensitive to touch at times and stabbing pains lower left ribs. I've had blood tests and an X-ray which has shown nothing, Has anyone had similar pains and what did you do?

I will be asking for an Ultra sound soon to rule out a deep infection.

My GP has said its cartilage inflamation which other doctors agree but there is nothing to confirm this, They also said it w...

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Pacemaker and Heart Rate Variability

I have a three year old St. Jude Pacemaker for Bradycardia which maintains my  heart rate at 60(does go down to 55 sometimes at night).  Six months ago I got an Apple Watch to record my exercise results.  It also records Heart Rate Variability and my numbers are quite low(6-9) with an occaisional spike to 30-55 lasting for 1-2 days.  My research comes up empty regarding the question: Can an implanted Pacemaker effect HRV?  My cardiology opined it was possible but...

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Post pacemaker/ICD implant pain

Dear Members,

As many of you will be aware from messages here, “post procedure pain” following Pacemaker/ICD implant is unfortunately common.  There appears however to be little in the way of studies done relating to this, other than individual case reports, whereas “complication rates” following pacemaker/ICD implant has been more widely reported and studied.

Over recent months, several members of the Pacemaker Club have expressed a wish to see a...

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Are p and r wave amplitudes affected by pacing

I'm trying so hard to understand this, but I'm confused. I was just reading my operation report trying to take a few things in.

It says that my p waves are 4.1mv and r waves are >12mv.

What does this mean?

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Edema

Hi all - having significant swellling in just one lower leg/ankle/foot, enough to contribute to a trip and fall when not wearing proper footwear - I've looked at archives here which were helpful but if anybody would like to offer any advice it would be appreciated.  No diagnosis of HF, but haven't seen doc in 2 yrs due to covid.  I've gained the covid-19 lbs and became fairly inactive over that time due to anxiety (my bad, I know I have no excuse) does anybody have...

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Anybody else had trouble with consistently high BP readings on withings connect bp monitor?

I recently swapped out my old omron wrist monitor for a withings connect bp arm cuff.  It seems like my readings may be running consistently high (20 on sys, 10 on dia).  I'm testing this theory at the doctors office tomorrow.  I purchased the new cuff because my old omron wrist monitor seemed to be reading low, although that was around the time I was in cardiogenic shock before the milrinone (so perhaps it wasn't actually off...).  I halfway managed to get an...

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more then usual pvcs

Hi everyone, recently i started managing an overnite shift and was ok for the first week. It seems like all of the sudden i have more then my share of pvcs. Its completely fustrating right now at my desk because i can feel them and im having one while writing this. I go right to sleep when i get home , i know my clock is off but im trying to stay healthy as much as i can. I just realized i wasnt taking the right amount of dose for my anxiety which was 20 mg of lexapro instead of 10. My q...

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Micra AV

Hi, I have AV Block Complete with normal sinus node function.  I've seen 2 cardiac electrophysiologist highly recomended and one says regualr pacemaker & the other says I'm a great canidate for the Micra pacemaker.  I have read on this site a lot of negative comments about it from non Micra paced people because of the newness and lack of documentation which I understand. However I would love to hear comments from anyone who has actually had a Micra implanted as they came...

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Survey - post pacemaker/ICD implant pain

Dear Members,

As many of you will be aware from messages here, “post procedure pain” following Pacemaker/ICD implant is unfortunately all too common.   There appears however to be little in the way of studies done relating to this, other than individual case reports, whereas “complication rates” following pacemaker/ICD implant has been more widely reported and studied.

Over recent months, several members of the Pacemaker Club have expressed a wish to s...

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Sleep

Hello to all. I am still feeling well & grateful to be able to say that. There is one thing that still bothers me and I thought getting some feedback here might be useful, although I don't think it is necessarily pacemaker-related. 

The thing is, I find that I sleep (or want to sleep) A LOT. I believe that I am sleeping reasonably well at night, at least I don't notice that I wake much at all. I do have apnea & have not been able to put up with CPAP, but I rece...

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Breast MRIs/ Molecular Breast Imaging/ high risk for breast cancer

Hello all,

I wanted to update everyone on an issue I've been trying to resolve for YEARS. 

When I received my pacemaker six years ago, I made sure that I got something that was MRI compatible. Good thing, since six months later I had a hemorrhagic stroke and multiple brain MRIs since then. 

I'm also at extremely high risk for breast cancer, due to chest radiation I had for cancer as a young adult. Because of that risk, I'd been having screening breast M...

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Getting on the list..

Good morning y'all,

I have good news to share, but first I have to tell you the funny part.  I went to bed pretty late last night and was sound asleep about 20 min ago when the hospital called.  I answered the phone and it was my cardiologist, I was still half asleep.  His connection was bad so I could only make out half of what he was saying.  I was able to make out that they are listing me for a heart sometime in the next 24-48 hours, I was so sleepy and mildly...

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ICD and High altitude

I had my ICD placed 3 months back and going to Colorado for summer vacation. Just little nervous about visiting a high altitude place because last time I visited Denver when I had my PM , I felt little woozy. Just wondering if high altitudes have any effect on people with pacing devices.

 

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Question for admin about spam

Hi all of you great people working to run this site - I am very appreciative of your efforts.  I included an internet link in a recent posting; while the link was to a secure (https) site, should the inclusion of links be avoided to minimize spam?  Thanks.

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Fitbit

Is it safe to use a Fitbit? It says it has a magnet in it. It has a warning to ask your Dr? But,  I was wondering because it's on your wrist, is it far  enough away from the pacemaker to use one safely? I'm not 100% dependent. 

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Covid-19 Vaccine

Hello everyone,

So I am scheduled to get my first Moderna vaccine tomorrow. I am looking forward to receiving it and was wondering if anyone feels comfortable to share if they suffered any symptoms after the shots? 

I have a complete heart block and thankfully my pacemaker is doing well. My only concern is having palpitations or a fast heart rate after the vaccine. Although, this is probably unlikely...I am just a bit a nervous.

Thanks everyone.

:)

&nbs...

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Apple Products that can affect your devices.

Apple has released a rather long list of products that can interfere with pacemakers and defibrillators.  

28 of their products are on the list which was released two days ago.

Please check their website for this list and if you have an iPhone 12, set it down until you see if it could negatively affect you.

I actually found it easier to find by googling Apple Products and Pacemakers.

Wish I could make a link, perhaps someone else will do it for me?  Thank you...

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My PM now has Company!

Hello All

Quick update, i had a permanent Nerve Stimulation implant placed recently for pain management. Would have to say i would prefer Sub Pectoral PM surgery any day in comparison! The operation went ok and i am getting through the recovery stage slowly... So far the two devices seem to be getting on together ok  i havent noticed any thing untoward with my PM. I am to have a PM check with my Heart Dr next week. 

Just wish there was a support websi...

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How many pacemaker members have had strokes

I have just had my medtronic dbl lead pm replaced after 8 years. One additional year has pased since replacement. 1 year aft intial placemenet i survived a puluminary embolism; about one year later i begin to have problems with getting very cold on my left side. Almost freezing cold. I would have to wear several layers of clothes and jackets to keep warm. Shortly after this i started have shorterm memory issues. More than usual. I am now male and 71 years old. 

I played H...

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You know you're wired when...

You know the difference between hardware and software.

Member Quotes

My pacemaker has ultimately saved mine and my unborn child’s life for which I am thankful.