Most Recent Messages in General Posting

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ambulane chasers and Pacemaker club sell out

I can't believe Pacemaker Club gave or sold my email address to a bunch of ambulance chasing lawyers without my consent. How much did the Club get for the list??
It's bad enough to get telemarketing calls on my phone but for Pacemaker to sell out is very disturbing.
The lawyers could get this information from Medtronics and not have to hawk their wares through what I thought was a reputable organization.

georgeh4

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Telephonic checks and Medicare?

I was due last Thursday for my first official telephonic check at 9:40. I had my little modem all ready and was awaiting the phone call. Instead I got a call from the tech who said due to Medicare rules I couldn't have a check until January (?) because last month on Oct 17th when I had a "spell" and fainted they had done an inquiry in the office.

I said where is that written and she couldn't answer. Is there a time frame or something? I read here that people have such good rapport...

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Musical Interference

Any performing musicians out there? I had a Defib fitted about 2 and a half years ago. I've been zapped twice in the last 6 months (my first time of being zapped) and both times I've been performing at the same venue with an electric instrument. The Doctor has told me it's just a coincidence. This affected my confidence to play as you might imagine and I became quite anxious about performing. Any similiar circumstances out there,words of wisdom? Any musicians with Defibs? Thanks Steve

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homeopathic therapy

does anyone have any experience of seeing a homeopath? do any of the tests they do interfer with a pacemaker. im due to see one next week and would be grateful if there would be any contraindications to the pacemaker .thanks

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PM revision

I had my PM implanted 1997 (dual, Medtronic) and has worked like a dream since., however replacement day will have arrived on 26th November and the PM leads will need replacing as well. Can anyone who has had this done before advise me of how the lead removal/replacement went. I worry somewhat about this part of the procedure as I believe there is some possibility of damage to the heart when leads are removed as they will have grown into the heart over the preceding 10 years. Thanks to all if yo...

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Pacemaker Dependency Percentages

My pacemaker implantation was September 2005 and now that my PVC's (post ventricular contractions/extra heart beats) are now under control, I feel so much better. I still have some brady-tachy episodes but they are split second and my dizzy spells are minimal. My pacemaker is set at 70 and I have so much more energy. However, my heart beats mostly at 70 and rarely a beat more on its own. I have gone from pacing at 12% initially to over 57% according to my last 4 checkups. My pacemaker depende...

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Weird Feeling Behind PM

Tomorrow will be 4 months for my Pace Maker. Haven't had any problems except early on with some pinching type pain around the site but that went away and probably was nerve related.

But this morning something weird happened. All of a sudden I am feeling my heart beating right behind (or maybe in front of) the Pace Maker location. Never happened before. It felt like it was racing but when I took my pulse it was about 84. It went away in about three or four minutes. Anyone else ex...

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Electrician Contractor -Occupational Concerns

Hello,

I am wondering if there are any electrical contractors out there who have a pacemaker and are working in a different work site or location every day. How do you manage the uncertaintly of magnetic field and electrical current levels if your job requires that you visit a different customer (sometimes power plants) every day?

I would appreciate any input from those who may have experienced this? Thank you!

Teri (Nurse from Michigan)

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Atrial Fib

G,Day everyone, I have a question about Afib, I have bradicardia, SSS and atrial fib, I have a St Jude pacer (1 year now) with an algorithm which controls the afib by speeding the heart up then slowing down again once the fib is stopped. I get the afib every time I lie down , It is worse when I first go to bed and also when I wake up. I have been woken up occasionally in the early hours with mild discomfort and afib .
I am not on any medication. The Afib seems to be getting worse but this...

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Long Term Prospects

Our daughter had her regular 6 monthly check-up this week and, fortunately, all is still well with her (she has complete congenital heart block and has had a pm since 10 days old, she is now 8yrs old).

We were just generally chatting to her cardiologist when she mentioned that there are reports suggesting that long term pacing can lead to the heart not functioning properly at all, even with a pacemaker.

She has been asked to talk on the subject but admits herself that there...

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*********Happy Birthday**********

With our Valerie not quite up to speed yet....... I thought I should let you all know it was CathrynB'ssssssss birthday yesterday So Happy Birthday "Cathryn" He He you did not really think I would let you get away with it did you !!!!!! You girls know me don't like to talk about a ladies age but somewhere in the 21-30 range.
Anyhow I am sure we all hope you had a great day.... your pacer friends........Peter N

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Not for another Year

Hi Pacers

Got back from two days in Hobart for my checkup. Everything AOK. My battery has had little use in the four years and my technician said everything is fine. He is a great bloke. He was explaining everything to two trainee emergency nurses. Brian stood up with them and enjoyed the lecture too.! The Cardiac Sp was pleased with my progress and neither Cardio or Tech want to see me for a year. I ahve been given appts for 30 Oct 2008. Unless, of course I feel the need to c...

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Jimmy and his last beta blocker

A new brake-through was discovered in a small town in South Jersey.

One morning Jimmy woke up and was running late to work. It was his first day at his new job. With his mind set on impressing his boss he decided to wake up alittle early to get a head start. He took his shower and finished dressing up. Soon after dressing up he gathered his things and headed out to work. He got to his car and realized that he forgot to take his beta blocker. He quickly ran back into his house a...

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Pacemaker Change

Hi,

I wrote last week with a low battery question and got some encouragement and support from the group. Then on Friday, I went to my Dr. and found out my battery was indeed very low and needed an immediate Pacemaker change.

I had the change yesterday and am back home. It is a strange feeling. I felt immediately better, but it was in the background as I feel sort of groggy from the anestetic and such.

But I think it will make me feel a lot better. My stam...

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Me Again

Hello Folks,

Well my trip got delayed a couple of days because I had a flair up of my arrhythmia on Tuesday morning and had to go to the doctor. I got some new medicine and I was instructed to wait until tomorrow or the next day to see if things settle down a little before we leave. So, I'll see if I can give some of you good people something to read.

Some questions I saw today were "How does a sick SA node normally respond to the use of a pacemaker? Does it become lazy, d...

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Checking back in!

Hello everyone,

It's been a longgggg while since I last posted. Thinking of everyone.

The last time I wrote I was about to pursue another opinion out of state (closer to home) regarding my SVC obstruction. I went to a major teaching hospital known for taking "tough" cases.

Well, I went in September. Met with a vascular surgeon who decided not to make any recommendations right away, but to consult with several of his colleagues about my case. (understandable).

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chat

Hey! randrews i tried to answer you and the chat room kept. Going away. I am back there now come on by. Or any one else here now. bowlrbob

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a very intellectual question

If you cross your eyes while undergoing an MRI procedure of your head, do your eyes look cross-eyed on the scan?

:p
~valerie

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I asked this last year. I am trying it again.

this Sunay I am leaving town for the week. Going to a national bowling tournament in Las Vegas. Do we have any members from the great city of Vegas. If so it would be fun to meet you. With some inside info I could maybe get to see a side of Vegas I have never seen. I think it would also be nice to meet with others who also have pacers or ICD's that have an interest in this club. I will be there from Monday night thru Friday night. If you are interested in meeting up or going out to a dinner some...

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My Recall!

Hello all long time no talk! Well hows everyone!, I now have to get my lead replaced as it has been recalled by Medtronic! I am so p.....sed! Anyone else got to gt their leads replaced due to Recall??

Stay Well, Colleen

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