Most Recent Messages

How high will the pacemaker go?

I was just wonder if anyone know how high a pacemaker can be set for? My doctor seemed to thing about 140 but he really didn't seem all too confident with that answer. I have an exercised indused heart block so when I am exercising my heart rate will be at 150 or even higher and then my beats will drop all the way down to 60 and stay there for a few minutes before trying to catch back up. It is even happening at around 100 bpm now. I have had my PM for 5 weeks and I 've just started back work...

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Recovering

I am scheduled to have a generator (pacemaker) changed on next Thursday I had my last pacemaker changed when I was 19... they at that time moved the pacer to my right shoulder side what have you. Anyway I know that it hurt like heck for the first couple years and I was just wondering if it is going to hurt again for the same amount of time I am aware that I will not be able to golf and lift for a month or so but I was wondering if it is going to hurt as much as last time....
K Daniels

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First tech dropped the ball!

I just went in for a 6 month check up with St Jude. The first technician, who had 23 years with the company, said he needed to make a couple of adjustments. He did and I went home. I felt on edge and a little weak. I called my Doc and went back in the next morning. A new tech was there from St Jude and hooked me up to the machine. In five minutes she stopped and said she had to talk to the Doc. He came in the room in a few minutes and sent me for a chest xray. One hour later he showed me the xra...

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Future ICD's

I swear I'll stop posting so much soon, I just got on this site today :-). Anyway, I was wondering if anyone knew of advances in ICD technology, more importantly (to me anyway) the size of the devices. Does anyone know of smaller, thinner devices in the works? I've tried to find info on it but all I find is that St. Jude's came out with flatter leads. It seems like the devices haven't really reduced in size from the 90's. I think the problem is that battery technology has basically come to a hal...

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Chronotropic Incompetence(CI) - Need pacemaker

I'm hoping to find someone here with similar experience/situation who received a PM and had his/her problems solved. I've read thro' several posts here but nothing fits exactly. I'm primarily looking for advice on whether a PM will help me.

My problem, after 4 years of testing and some missteps by docs along the way appears to be that my heart rate does not go up with exercise as it should. I get dizzy, never have passed out, if I start exerting at some point. It's getting worse. 4 ye...

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Leads coming loose

Hi,
I've seen a few people write about leads coming loose from the heart or device. I was wondering how you know it has come loose, is there an intense pain, do you get shocked?
Thanks!

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Discomfort when sleeping AND weight lifting question

I had my pacemaker put in on March 23 and I still have a lot of discomfort. It has been 5 weeks and I am still having difficulty sleeping because when I roll on my sides the PM digs into my collar bone. Does anyone else have this problem? Its driving me crazy! I also have pain at the site, is that still normarl?
Also, is anyone else out there a weight lifter? I teach a class called Group Power at my gym and I am suppose to start teaching again next week. I am a little concerned about l...

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First Pacemaker Interrogation Questions

I was implanted with a Guidant 1298 on February 20, 2007 and will have my first pacemaker interrogation tomorrow. I was wondering what to expect, what to ask, what to be aware of.....

Not sure if I will see a rep fro Guidant or my Cardiologist but I do have many questions.......

Any info on just what is done during the first pacemaker interrogation would be helpful......

Thank you....... and I want all to know that this site has given me more answers than all the...

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Had the 2nd surgery after 10 days

Hi eveyone,
I got my first PM 4 weeks ago, I have 3rd degree of heart block which I noticed it about month ago. I was shocked when I heard that for the first time. Right after 7 days, I played soccer for about 30 min. I could not run much but I just wanted to convince myself that I am still alive! And can move, sine I love soccer and running. 2 days after I played soccer again for about 1hr. I went home and then the symptoms that I had before PM started. At the hospital they said the lead h...

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rate drop response

My pacer is a Medtronic EnPulse DR it is set for me at 70 bpm. The rate response is set so that if my heart rate drops suddenly within a 1 or 2 minute span (not sure which) by 25 points then the pacer kicks my heart rate up to 100bpm for 2 minutes. Then slowly it goes back to the setting of 70 bpm. This gets the blood pressure back up quickly and keeps a person from getting dizzy or passing or even from blacking out. This has worked great for VVS. Now those pesky little split second blackouts wh...

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ICD implant under the muscle

Hi,
I'm new here and just wondered if anyone has had their defibrillator implanted under the muscle? I just had one put in on the 13th of April and was told by my Dr. he had to go over 1"+ under the muscle to put mine in. The thing that is upsetting me now is that I can see the lump still. I would think being that far under the muscle it wouldn't show. I can also feel the hard box when I barely press on the area (I can even feel the edges of it). Is it possible he put it over the muscle and...

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Safe mode period

My pacemaker's battery is near the end of its life. It went into safe mode mid-march 2007. I'm 100% paced also. My question is how long can my device go in safe mode? The reason I'm asking is because I'm supposed to get it replaced this week, but I have a sinus infection which might have it pushed back. So i'm a little worried.

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Seeking Support Group in Ft Worth TX

I live in Ft Worth, funkytown USA, I'm looking for a support group in my city, does anyone now of one. I have a medtronic dual pacemaker that was inserted Feb 5, 07. Just want people in my city that I can get to know. I'm a 39 year old female very active and I feel like when I wear tank tops people see my scare and I get these wiered looks. So I feel I have to explain then I hear Oh your so young, be careful. I don't want peoples pitty I just want to get back to my life.

You know...

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Chat? Chat? Chat?

Hi folks~
I'll be hanging out at the chat room if anyone is interested. It is currently 7.17pm EST (New York) on Tuesday, April 24th.

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Groups in Southern England

Can anyone tell me of support groups in Southern England (Hampshire/Berkshire/Surrey). I'm new to all this. Thanks

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chat room

Hi just wondered how chat room worked i managed to chat to Tiggerak for a few mins tonight but seemed to then loose contact also couldnt see who was in chat room and had to post message before i could see what was being said or else there was a blank screen any help would be most appreiciated thanks

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In the chat room

Come in here! lol

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Info

Hi,

I had a Medronic Dual Chamber P.M. install in March 2006 after collapsing with a full heart block. Since having the p.m. installed I have experienced episodes of feeling that I am going to blackout. These episode's last from a split second to 10 seconds. I have seen my cardiologist who has scanned my carotid arteries, heart, kidneys and I wore a heart monitor for ten days. In addition my p.m. has been checked several times and is functioning correctly. All test have shown that n...

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PM Lead goes down not up

Hello, Had a St Jude PM put in last Oct. Got Broncuitus in Nov and coughed for over a month. St Jude tested th PM today and said something was wrong. Dr sent me for xray and found one of the leads in my heart was going down to the lower heart area with the other lead. Now I have to go in to the hospital Thurs and have it changed or a new lead put in. Has anyone ever had that experience? Mr Frog

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Chat room

Blake,

Is there any way you could change the chat room so people could see who’s in the room before expressing themselves. You have to write a message before you know who’s in the room. I hope you consider this for me and others. Thanks Blake!

Christmmpace

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You know you're wired when...

You have a 25 year mortgage on your device.

Member Quotes

I consider my device to be so reliable, that I never think about a failure.