Most Recent Messages in Checkups & Settings

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Check-up --- Thumbs up!!!

I spent most of the day at the hospital for my annual check-up (series of tests). I'm followed quite closely because of my congenial heart problems and atrial flutter.

The docs say my ablation last summer was a success. From my pacemaker check-up, they found I had short (a few beats) episodes of atrial flutter, but nothing to worry about. My stress test was also a success. They told me I did better that the vast majority of "normal" people. The remaining battery life of my pace...

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Tired and Weired

Hi I am all set to winge again. For the last week I was beginning to feel better. Went cycling and didn't feel to tired. For the last couple of days I have not an ounce of energy, I feel completely washed, headachey and didn't sleep last night because of a missed beat. I thought when the PM took over in my case at night there were no missed beats, perhaps I am wrong.

I went to the doc this morning and he checked BP and HR and told me I am probably stressed. Why, oh why do th...

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Remote PM checkup question

Hi!
I have another question for my more experienced pacers. I've had my PM remotely interrogated 2x now. (medtronic adapta) Each time, it took me 4 or 5 attempts to get a successful reading. The little green dots that progress during the interrogation would get almost to the end, and then the process aborted. A couple times the signal to reposition the device would signal, so I tried that. I haven't figured out what I might be doing wrong. The phone line is not the problem, as it even...

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Weird feelings explained

Hi,

I'm two weeks into my second PM and lead replacement. Since the replacement, I've had some strange feelings that concerned me. One was a sudden warmness that came all over my body when I was on the phone. I didn't get tingly like I was about to pass out, but it was similar in the way that the feeling spread. The other was a slowing of my HR while I was watching TV on the couch. It felt similar to an office PM check where they slow your pacing to test the threshold of the leads...

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JUST HAD PM CHECK UP

Hi All,
I just had my 6 months PM Checkup this a.m. and it is pacing quite nicely. Thanks to you, my newfound friends, I was able to ask some intelligent questions; some of which I had thought about and never asked. Others were about things I learned here. I feel better now that I know a bit more about my PM. I know that my levels are 70 to 130 which I didn't know. I know that my lead in the lower chamber has not had to pace, but the one in the upper chamber is pacing about 50% of the t...

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Difference between DDI and VVI modes?

Hi everyone. I haven't posted in a long time. I am now 1.5 years post unplanned PM for failed SVT ablation. Two months after getting my pacemaker, my EP changed my setting from DDD to DDI. I was uncomfortable and changed back after 5 days. At my November check-up, he told me that my battery was going quickly because my ventricle was being paced at 99%. After wearing a halter moniter for a week now, my EP changed my setting yesterday again to determine what my heart can do on its own. (We think I...

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New EP doctor

I asked my cardiologist to refer me to an EP doctor because I did not think my cardiologist knew what to do with me. He understood and I love my new EP. I had appt there last week. They interogated my PM and when he came in he was astounded at how many ventricular tachys I have had over the last 6 months. I told him I have been blacking out, having dizziness and lightheadedness, chest pain, etc.
He was so informative, looked me right in the eye the entire time he talked to me, not like some...

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pacemaker dependent ?

Hi!
I have just been for a check up today, to be told that my battery is running low. I have had this pacemaker for 3 years and I am shocked, my 1st pacemaker lasted 7 years.

It is documented in my medical notes that I am NOT pacemaker dependent yet today I was told my battery is running low becuse I am using it 99% of the time, does that mean I am pacemaker dependent now?
If I am not pacemaker dependent why is my heart using the pacemaker 99% of the time?
Can a pe...

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Went well

I just wanted to update you on my appointment. It was probably the best one I had. I asked to have my pacer self checked time changed. The tech had never done it and didn't know she could - she called the company and they were able to do it.

The Dr was also able to see I have been having times of fast heart beats. They suggested just watching it rather than meds or electrical study. It does feel strange but I'm Ok with it.

Thanks for your help!
Tom


<...

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Electricfrank

Just to say thanks ElectricFrank I went back to the doctor again today and asked why I was taking the Beta Blocker. He said that I had extra styoles but no heart problem as such. Have asked if I need to take them. He agreed that I should go without and see how I go.

Cheers

Julie

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Effects of Lowering Pacemaker Setting

I posted a few weeks ago about how bad I was feeling with the pacemaker. I went to my cardiologist last Thursday and he sent me to the hospital to have some setting adjustments made. The pacemaker was turned down from 60 to 50 and the rate response mode was turned off. They did detect at the hospital that I am having extra heart beats, which I just have to live with. Friday was the first time since I got the Pacemaker on December 14th that I didn't feel my heart beating at different rates const...

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Check up Monday

I have not written for a while, but I check out the site a few times a week. It feels good to know that others are here.
I have a check-up with the doctor himself this coming Mon. I only see the actual doctor 2x a year. The other times it's nurses and technicians.

I have some questions and I wanted to run them by you - I always get this reaction like " you are so strange/ annoying/ hypochondriac to ask this stuff."

1. I (still) get this "fast/flutter" kind of heart be...

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Great

Hi

Took on board all the comments about rapid response. I went back to the cardiologist saying about the fast heart rate and how I was feeling. I have been fined tuned - he turned down the response and as soon as I got off the table I felt that awful feeling in my stomach gone. Also went for a walk this afternoon and not one funny session.

I have been put on a tablet for a month as well - sort of beta blocker - and am due to see him again on the 22nd Feb.

H...

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Doctor's visit

Hi All

Just been to visit the doctor. I am at present living in France and that is where my PM was inserted by the cardiologist here. There was no explanation as to what I was to expect or feel. I have written before here saying how stressed I am now that my heart is beating faster.

Anyway, saw the doc and explained my concerns albeit that I broke down and started crying. He said that he was going to check with the cardiologist as to what sort of pacemaker I have...

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Does anybody know??

Does anyone know what the "ADL" setting is on the PM readout sheet? Mine is set at 95. I tried to ask the doctor but he just said in essence "never mind it's not important". In nursing lingo "ADL" refers to "Activities of Daily Living". Any help from all you PM gurus out there would be appreciated. Your Pacer Friend, Carol

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First Interrogation

I had my first interrogation today. Everything looked good according to my Doc. The estimated remaining battery life is 9.75 to 10 years. I am pacing 94% of the time. Max pulse was 94 bpm which had to be during my exercise time. Settings: min 60, max 130, rate response on fast, recovery time medium.

I advised my Doc that I am still having a few episodes of light headed and slightly dizzy. He informed me that the pacer would not cure this. I was somewhat surprised by that comment....

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Pacemaker syndrome

Hi all,
Just curioius if anyone has had pacemaker syndrome immediately after a pacemaker interrogation? Or feel like the technician left the battery on your chest when you left the office? I went back and had three adjustments, but it looks like I will have to live with the sensation of my heart beating in my stomache, lightheadedness, pain in neck, etc... Any suggestions?
Thanks for the info?

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Do it yourself settings

I just posted a picture of my new dial it up pacermaker. Don't we wish!

for fun,

frank

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Defibulator testing

Hi all,
New to the club. I had a PM/Defib installed Aug 2008 and am scheduled to have it tested next week. Anyone with similar experience? What am I in for here??

Thanks,
Mark

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Change in base setting affecting sleep?

I would love to hear from those of you that have had your base setting turned up. My son is almost 18 months old and has a pacemaker. Because of his young age, he cannot tell me what is going on. He has an EnPulse dual chamber, rate responsive Medtronic pacemaker. However, the atrial lead is fractured, so he is only being paced ventricularly (sp?) and it is set to motion. A very young child functions a bit differently than an adult b/c he doesn't engage in any sustained aerobic activity and...

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You know you're wired when...

Your device acts like a police scanner.

Member Quotes

I am not planning on letting any of this shorten my life. I am planning on living a long happy battery operated life. You never know maybe it will keep me alive longer. I sure know one thing I would have been dead before starting school without it.