Most Recent Messages

Incision still bleeding

Hi, my mom had a pm in Sept.06 then in Dec. 06 she had to have it removed due to leads misplaced and major infection. A week later she had another pm put in on her right side and now here it is April.07 and she is still having blood coming from the new site. I'm wondering if it is possible that her body is rejecting the pm or if there is some major infection going on inside.

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Questions

Hello all,
The longer I have this pm the more I realize I don't know. An earlier question was asked about tattoos and infections. Do we need to be more aware of infections than other people? Is a general infection more likely to head for our heart or for the pm site?
I'm also wondering about genetics. I'm diagnosed with sic sinus syndrome. Are there any concerns I need to have about my kids?
Thanks again,
Rusty

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Wow!! Its been 3 years!!!

Its exactly 3 years since I got my pacemaker and Im feeling just great!!
This website has got me through the tough times! Thank you all so much!!
Love to you all-Kay

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length of time

Hi, Can anybody tell me about how long I can expect the batteries to last in a Bi-V pm that paces 100% of the time? Thank you. AMYMARLA

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Here we go again! CHAT ROOM

Hello guys the time is now 7:30, and in an hour and a half the chat room is open ...come on in and lets all chat! Stay well, Colleen

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pain at site,?use of tegretol

Hi. I have had my pacemaker since mid January and am having pain at the site, my dr says I'm too thin, the pacemaker is still moving around in there!! Has anyone ever been prescribed Tegretol for this problem? The dr. is reluctant to redo the surgery. Help!!! Thanks, Karen

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Vasovagal Syncope question

I was diagnosed with Vasovagal Syncope in 2005. I recieved a pacer on an emegency basis becuse of this and bradycardia. My question is, in reading about this condition eveything states that a blackout or fainting will only last a short time 5 or 10 minutes and the patient will recover on their own. Well I recouvered on my own but I suffered a blackout that lasted for 3 and 1/2 hours. I never went clear out. My wife said i was joking with the paramedics and nurses but had no idea where I was or w...

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Tattoo Infection Question...

Hello everyone!! I am 22 and just had my pacemaker put in last September. Yesterday I went for my first tattoo. I usually have to take amoxicilling( or penacilion?) before every dentist visit. Not thinking, I didn't take any medication before getting my tattoo. When I told my mom I had gotten a tattoo she went balistic!! By this time, it was 6 hours since I had gotten it. She insisted that I call my cardiologist and see if everything would be alright. When I spoke to a doctor at the hospital, i...

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Recovery info needed for new PM recipient

Hi. I'm new to a PM, it was fitted 5 days ago after having complete heart block while out walking. Don't remember anything till waking up in Cardiac Care Unit.Came home day after the PM was fitted. How long do the surface wounds take to heal and when will my shoulder, elbow and hand stop aching. Otherwise I feel great. I'm a 58 yr old female

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Train Enngines

Hi this is a problem that I have not read about before. It may be all in my head but here it is:
My husband is a train engineer. That's right, he drives the train. He invited me to do a ride along with him in the engine last Saturday night. It was great fun for about the first hour or so. I began to get light headed and was having some problems with feeling tired. It was late and past my bedtime so I thought it might be just that I was sleepy. Then my heart began to do it's filp flop bou...

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irregular beat

I have had an av ablation and am 100% pm dependant. I had real bad symptoms with the afib that all most made me crazy. When I got my pm in two years ago I haven`t felt any wild thumping in my chest at all. All I can feel is my pm pacing my ventricules. Feels like a normal heartbeat, although I am still in afib. Thursday night my body kinda got jerked around real bad and I could feel my heart out of rhythm for about 1 hour or so. I have not had that problem since I had my pm. Has anybody got a cl...

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problems again

I have been told that i have sinus traycardia( i may have spelled
it wrong). I have been sick for a month with constant coughing
and congestion.they have put me on antibiotic 3 times.
i am dizzy and short of breath.some chest pain off and on.
they are sending me to my heart dr again.
What is this condition.i have a pacemaker.
could someone help?

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Problems in the cold

I am a first time poster and I very pleased to find such a helpful site. I have had a dual unit medtronic defibrillator since September 2002. I look forward to sharing some of my experiences with others, particularly those new to the procedure. For now I need to find out if others are having the same problems as I am.

My experience with the defibrillator has genearlly been very positive after I got over some very long and painful left arm and chest pain issues post surgery (6 mon...

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tingle in left arm

please let me know if anyone else has had any tingling in there left arm, it seems to be getting worse as the weeks go on. dont want to go to the e.r. if i dont have to. thanks

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Hello Kay

Thanks for the message....
Great to hear from fellow Aussie....
Your only a early one with your pacer....
Hope all goes well with it which I am sure it will.....
Message me anytime...
Denise
And if there is anyone who wants to chat feel free....
I would like to know I can help..

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EMT's and a pacemaker

My brother had his first pacemaker put in 10 years ago; it was replaced almost 5 years ago. It was checked in March and scheduled to be re-checked in May for battery life. In May it would have been 5 years old. He died suddenly this week without having any known problems. When the EMT's came and were told that he had implanted pacemaker, they said they were not picking up any signal from it.

Does this sound like battery failure? I called the measurement company and was told the E...

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Coping with your Pacer from One who has had one for 42 years

Hi everyone...
I was 8 when I recieved my first pacer....42 years later I am still here and enjoying a wonderful life.
Everyone....Please be postive...think postive and go out and take on the world. Believe me..I've had my share of ups and downs..I've had over 20 ops in my life...but truly I never let it get me down. I am married to a wonderful man,had 4 great kids and now I am the nan to 3 little girls. I have tried to do everything. Even now I still excerise and walk regularly. The...

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Countdown

Thank all the posters with their information about getting ready for surgery. Due to your information, I did my shopping, and am now set up. My date for surgery is May 2, 2007. If it hadn't been for this website, I wouldn't have known to get a strapless bra and button shirts to wear after surgery.
I am getting my PM due to a heartrate of about 36. I'm a 56 year old woman, and I'm tired of feelin' tired! This site has been an education and a comfort to me. Thanks again. :-) Barb

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Dental Root Canal Work

Two days ago my Dentist wanted to start Root Canal work on one of my teeth.
However, he postponed it because of a piece of dental equipment that almost all dentist now use for root canal work, and he was unsure if this equipment would be a problem with my St Jude Pacemaker.
The equipment in question is known a a "MORITA APICAL LOCATER"
This above-mentioned dental equipment, replaces the old system of the dentist having to use a small hand file to clean out the tooth canal befor...

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Lenora, are you out there?

Hi Lenora, I have been reading Elisa and Surferman's comments about BP readings, meds, etc. and they have a lot of questions. Reading their postings I realize that these are great questions we can all learn from. Could you possibly address this for all of us? We need our resident RN to help out. I haven't been on for over a week and am so glad to be back! Thank you and as always God bless and keep you.
Sharon

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You know you're wired when...

You know the difference between hardware and software.

Member Quotes

A pacemaker suddenly quitting is no more likely to happen than you are to be struck by lightening.