Most Recent Messages in Complications

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Irregular Heartbeat

Just wondering if it is normal to have irregular heartbeats off and on, but then, it goes back to a normal heartbeat.  No SOB, Pain, or Fatigue, just irregular.  I just feel just a little "different" when it is happening.  

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Holding My Breath

Hi All!

I'm not sure if anyone experienced similar but looking for some feedback. Two weeks ago I took a Pulmonary Function Test. While taking the test I was asked to hold my breath. I noticed I immediately felt something wrong in my chest. It felt like panick but it also felt like I had to breathe like NOW or I was going to faint. So today I decided to hold my breath and both times I IMMEDIATELY felt like I was going to faint if I didn't breathe. I felt awful afterwards as well...

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I’M A FOOL

I have a dual chamber pacemaker that was installed in July to combat Sinus Node Pauses. Healthy heart...multiple echocardiograms, stress tests, EKGs, blood work over the last 15 years with a clean bill of health for my heart...minus my wonky nodes of course. I was told to go back to normal activities. 

Over and over I fall for PACs and PVCs. For years now I've suffered from both. This week was no different, the worse case that I have been through. Starting Monday I was feeling...

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Worried

Hi there, 

has anyone ever felt a pulsating on their skin on the pacemaker side? 

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PVCs

Hey team, 

anyone on here live with PVCs? I've had them for years and years...going through 4 echocardiograms within the last 10 years, cardiologists chalked them up to being benign. Usually lasting a few minutes to even 8-12 hours of interrupted beats...they sure seem like the end is near and scary...

How do you all cope with them, and have you had them for years? 

I do have a dual chamber pacemaker that was installed in July 2021. I bring the PVCs up to cardi...

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ICD Complications

Hi all, had my Medtronic 3 lead ICD implanted Nov 26th 2021. 

Since having it I feel worse than before. Short of breathe, irregular beats at times, trouble sleeping, depressed. I had swelling and nerve pain in left arm and neck which has eased slightly. Feel as tho it has made life worse not better. At 4 week check up I was told 3rd lead may be hitting nerve to diaphram. Has anyone else had similar things happen and can offer some advice? Thanks 

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Muscle twitching over pacemaker pocket site

Has anyone had any experiences with a muscle twitch on the chest wall over the pacemaker site?  I started to get a strong and visible muscle twitch over that area.  It seems very positional as it seems to only happen when I'm laying on right side and goes away if I lay on my back or left side.  I had a fractured lead four years ago due to subclavian crush syndrome, for which the new replacement lead was placed in a manner to prevent this from happening again.  I h...

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St. Jude Recall? ..scary

I am 100% paced and my device is 3 years old. My device was recalled because of possible moisture penetration. My battery went from 9.5 yrs to 3 months in a very short time. I had my device changed asap by St. Jude/Abott.. any one here go through a device failure or know of the protocol on this? My Merlin notified the Cardiologist  stat. All opinions appreciated 

 

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Vein blockage caused by pacemaker leads

Hi my dual lead pacemaker was fitted in August 2019. Since it was fitted I had had problems with my arm and veins around the pacemaker site. During the last year my arm has become swollen blotchy and blue in places. My shoulder and vein in neck are also swollen. I have been diagnosed by a vascular surgeon as having a very rare complication of having a pacemaker, in that the leads have blocked my vein. I have had venoplasty and venogram. I take daily blood thinners and wear hand and arm compre...

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Update on I want a pacemaker for Christmas !

Hi,

I was finally given the clearance to get my new pacemaker and it was inserted a week ago on the right hand side of my chest. You would not believe how exciting this is for me after weeks of severe infections, several operations including the one to remove the pacemaker, which by far was the worst operation. I still have recovery to master and adjust again to having a new pacemaker but at least I can now start to look forward to living life again. 
I am seeing my cardiologi...

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Arm pain

I had a PM inserion (left side) just a little over a year ago for complete heart block.  After 6 weeks of limited range of motion (ROM) for the  arm (per drs. orders), I develped frozen shoulder syndrome.  I went to a massage therapist and she helped me with the majority of the pain and ROM.  I still have pain in my arm and now  I believe that this is due to the PM hitting up against nerve/nerves.  The PM is underneath the skin.  Has anyone else experie...

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PM/ICD distorts left ventricle

I've finally gotten the answers regarding my pacemaker disaster. During several trips to Mayo Climic for near fainting and difficulty breathing, they determined I needed a mitral valve replacement and even broached the subject of a heart transplant. Their tests showed an extremely distorted left ventricle including the mitral valve. 
 

my wife and I drove home figuring out the logistics of an open heart surgery which would require a months stay in Scottsdale...

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Covid and ICD

Hi Everyone,

Has anyone tested for Covid yet ? I am Covid positive and wanted to know how bad this may affect me. I am vaccinated and boosted. Could my Covid worsen my condition or can my Covid be worst than usual because of my condition?

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Venous insufficiency in pacemaker arm

I have developed venous insufficiency in my right arm, the same side where my pacemaker is implanted (and my dominant arm.)  Symptoms that led to that diagnosis were: purplish tint to my arm, feelings of heaviness in my arm, bulging veins on the inside wrist and occasional numbness in my right hand. I also had bruising on the upper arm that has not resolved after 4 weeks. I saw both my internist and cardiologist when this first occurred about 3 weeks ago.

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arrythmia

I have had an arrythmia for 4 hours or more. Feel like crap - tired and a little light-headed.

3rd arrythmia since pacemaker was implanted in Aug. 2021. This is the longest it's lasted.

Does this just run its course without intervention, or should I call 911?

I know you're not doctors, but you guys are pretty well informed. Would appreciate your input at your earliest opportunity. Thanks.

 

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Atrial Tachycardia

So I had a generator replacement on Dec 15. I posted before about this because during the procedure and an hour after I went into afib and developed what they told me was an atrial flutter. They used the pacer to trick my heart back into a normal rhythm and gave me meds to control it. Today at my follow up, after they had time to review the events of that day, said it was not really a flutter but atrial tachycardia. Has anyone else had this after a gen change? I was 30 when I got my first pac...

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Pacemaker insomnia

Hello,

I got a crt pacemaker 2 years ago and have been dealing with lack of sleep, so much so, that I thought I had fatal insomnia.  Was told by technician they never heard of anything like that.  I know what your thinking....anxiety.  No....I have had a pacemaker since 1999 at 25 years of age.  Mechanical heart valve surgery left me with heart block.  A dddr was placed with 2 leads. I slept fine.  Battery wore out, got a new pacemaker, slept fine.  2...

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High altitude and soreness

Hi All,

Got my ICD, October 2021. I've relocated to a high altitude location in California (5,000ft+ elevation). I've noticed that the area around my implant site becomes a little bit sore during the colder months here (right now actually). I am assuming this is normal correct ? I can feel a distinct lack of soreness when we do head down to lower and normal elevation. I also feel more active in lower altitudes. This is all normal right ? Does anyone else deal with a high elevati...

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Palpitations

Hi

had a pacemaker fitted in August.  Scans show no heart disease, I had been taking blackouts.  I have been experiencing palpitations occasionally when I go upstairs or lift anything as well as some breathlessness.  Has anyone else had similar experience?  Pacemaker is a Medtronic.

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Would love a pacemaker for Christmas !

Hi,

I have been a member of the club for two years now after I received my Medtronic pacemaker for a cardiac arrest. I suffer with bradycardia and vasovagal syndrome and am very symptomatic ! Life for me was ticking along just fine with my pacemaker and to be honest I had forgotten it was there which was a great place to be in. However 6 th October I was operated on to remove my device and leads because i suffered a bad infection and sadly it was the cause. When it was removed my cardio...

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