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Lead Extraction

Went in for a new pacemaker and a lead extraction of old capped lead.  Subclavian vein was cut and I bled out requiring 6 transfusions and CPR for 3 minutes. 10 days later I needed VATS Thoracotomy and Decortication lung surgery to remove the large plural effusion and blood clots.  I had chest tubes in both surgeries the heart surgery being the largest and most painful.  I now have intercostal nerve damage and intermittent nerve pain and constant numbness in my side a...

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Coping/Adjusting

I am less than three month out since my placement surgery, following a full heart block. I have always been a very independent woman. I am having trouble adjusting to the idea of how dependent on others I am need to be. I am seperated, just a month short of divorce, so I live alone. My son lives in another city. My siblings have all but left me to fend for myself. In a way I am okay with that because I have always been able to do that. But I am finding this is different. In my recov...

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Any Natural Treatments

It's been an interesting 2 weeks for me and I'm wondering if anyone knows about natural treatments for H. Pylori. 
I started last week with some bloating.. some cramping on and off. So I went to the dr. and I got checked for stomach bacteria. 
Now I am sure I will be told on Monday that antibiotics will be the next step and I am researching for natural treatments out there.. 

My question is... has anyone experienced this and does antibiotics even work be...

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Heart Rate Irregularities during cycling

As a cycle coach, I have been monitoring my heart rate to power response regularly and have noticed that my heart rate acts extremely oddly during my rides.

This is best seen on an indoor trainer, where I can control all the parameters.

During the zone 2 main section of the training, 30 minutes to 75 minutes the power (and speed remained constant). My Heart Rate was a constant 110 bpm at 160 watts for almost the full duration of the 45 minute block. However, for no reason at all,...

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Medtronic Carelink

Is anyone else having problems with Medtronic Carelink net work. On their website it says i should transmit on two different dates when i transmitted on July 23 which was confirmed on screen. They claim last transmission was 4/22. 
Have they been affected by the cybersecurity mess?  

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AV Block 2nd degree and running

Hi

I'm a 75 year old 400/200 type with reasonably good times when 70, 65.76, 28.8.

I have had a steadily decreasing capacity to run over the last 4 years and required a heart pacemaker. My symptoms are AV node dysfunction and 2nd degree AV Block.

Clearly this means reduced oxygenated blood delivery to my body during aerobic running thus I can hardly run for more than 6 minutes even at a very slow pace. Only 50 to 200  metre reps with 2/3 minute rests (i.e. larg...

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Cardio Sarcoidosis

Hello Fellow Pacers

A recent PET scan has revealed that I have myocarditis in a very localised area, where the Cardiologist thinks Sarcoid is present but not visible. This is the suspected cause of my Complete Heart Block, which required a pacemaker surgery. I was fitted with with a CRT P pacemaker in August last year. I had an RVL lead replacement in May this year. The cause has been unclear. I have previously been diagnosed with RBBB back in 2011. After the results of the PET scan, I...

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Progress post implant crt-d

I got a crt-d implant 3 1/2 months ago and want to see how I am doing relative to others.

Prior Implant:  LBBB, QRS=150ms, EF 20%

Post implant:

On table after implant, QRS=110ms

2 weeks later follow up, QRS=80

3 1/2 month cardiogram EF 35-40%

BP in normal range but varies like Texas Weather, wait 5 minutes. Ranges 110-140 but mostly 120/75 with pulse in 70's.

Manufacturer Abbott Gallant HF, CDHA500Q with multi point lead in coranary vein.

...

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Alternate lead placement

I'm curious how many of you have alternate lead placement, not in the typical RAA and RV apex.

I will be having a double lead extraction and replacement as well as pocket revision (I believe we are moving it to the axillary fossa region) on August 13th.

Since switching from the EP who did my implantation, my current one has said that my leads were not optimally placed. He said that he rarely uses the conventional placement. After some research, I'm hopeful that h...

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Incision Infection (superficial)

Hi, it has been awhile. I just had my 2nd pacemaker put in and the incision started leaking pus 6 weeks after the surgery. I  was put on antibiotics for 7 days. The one area still leaks a small amount of pus 8 days after the antibiotics finished. The Doctor seems to think it is superfical from a suture knot. Just said if it still leaks pus after 2 weeks or becomes inflamed and I high fever to contact her. Has anyone had this wthout removing the system and putting in a new one....

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RF DEVICES

I had a new combi boiler fitted today and the model is operated via the Halo Combi RF (obviously Radio Frequency) but it didn't occur to me to inform the heating engineer I had a Pacemaker device. I know all my wifi gadgets are ok but never even thought of RF devices. It's placed in my living room. Should I move it???   Any advice please? TIA

Update

The Halo unit is powered by 4 AA batteries and communicates with the Halo Lite Receiver unit on a 868MHz ...

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My heart is working on its own ~5 months after receiving pacemaker

This is my first post on the site and first time sharing my experience online. Thanks for having me, I can definitely see this community being a valuable resource moving forward.

A little background on me: 

I'm a 33 year old man. I've never had any kind of serious health issues, I live an active lifestyle, I'm not overweight, and never considered my health to be of any concern.

A few months ago, in the early hours of 2/13, I was laying down to go to sle...

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Pacemaker moving in pocket

I was diagnosed with joint hypermobility almost 10 years ago. No testing for any other connective disorders has been done. I have been finding my device moves 2-3 times it's size on all directions. This has confused my doctors and they have no idea what to do as they think it's the whole area moving they don't think suturing it down will help at all if it even keeps the suture intact. Lately I'm finding it's sitting lower in my chest (top of device was 2 fingers below coll...

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3 Month Check-up Results!

Short version -   Great check-up!  All systems functioning and no problems identified.  Settings adjusted to allow for exercise and my naturally lower nighttime heart rate.  Have my first echo next week along with lipids panel to see if any reverse remodeling has started and to see if my beta blocker holiday has had any benefit.  (more detailed version below)

Detailed Version:   Just had my 3 month post-implant check-u...

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ICD & AF

I posted recently (29th June, ICD Review) and I thought I would give you an update.

The ICD was adjusted on 25/6 and my situation was to be discussed at the group meeting. Since then I have had two letters. The first from the EP  saying: patient seen due to AF. Found to be in AT with a tachycardia rate of 100bpm with sudden drops to 55 with AP.  Then went back to AT. Reprogrammed DDI with VP/S at 55. Sent patient for a walk to assess RR, he felt better with it on. Lead checks...

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Upgrade to 3rd lead

I am going in on 08/13/24 for a third lead due to the left ventricle with slower blood flow than the right ventricle. Is ithis common and is it the same recovery time and procedure as the original pacemaker placement?.  And any other input you have from your own research or experience!

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Post COVID Heart block

Hi all...I have 2 questions.  How many here were diagnosed with a heart block (left branch bundle block for me) following COVID and vaccines?  Seems a bit more info has come out more recently concerning heart issues following COVID.

Secondly, I have always been a fitness nut and have done years of moderate weightlifting.  Do others here have limitations or soreness at the implantation site because of lifting?  I've recently started a bit more rigorous lifting pro...

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Second ablation maybe

Hello all, recently back in and out of AFib.  I already take tikosyn and metoprolol and have had tons of cardio versions and had an ablation about 2 years ago.  Recent Dr visit the thought was to possibly have another ablation,  the first time I had it done it was a longer recovery than I anticipated.  I do feel much better with my device and being in AFib than I did before the device, which is great.  My question is for anyone that has had multiple ablations,  i...

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New Blood Pressure & Cholesterol Guidelines - Edited*

I came across this website https://thennt.com/ which was recommended by a cardiologist. 

The NNT (Number Needed to Treat) came about because doctors and patients are often provided with benefit / risk probabilities for commonly prescribed drugs in a way which may not be completely clear. Some physicians wanted to cut through this and provide something which showed doctors and patients the risks / benefits much more clearly. 

If you read the ‘About’ section,th...

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New member

Thanks for allowing me to become a member. Receiving a pacemaker is very new to me....one week today! My heart went into afib and I had, over a 24 hour period around 15 episodes of syncope due to around 10 second pauses which lead to an urgent pacemaker placement.  Doing well at home and processing all that's happened.  Looking forward to reading about how others have adjusted to their new normal. 

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You are always wired and full of energy.

Member Quotes

Hi, I am 47 and have had a pacemaker for 7 months and I’m doing great with it.