Most Recent Messages in Conditions, Meds & Tests

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MRI with abandoned lead

My Heart Transplant team are moving to using MRI rather than ultrasound to image our hearts, where possible, because of the improved quality of information it gives them.  

My current pacemaker and leads are MRI compatible, but I have an abandoned lead that predates my transplant and is neither connected to my pacemaker or to my heart; it had occluded a vein pretty thoroughly and it would have taken too long (and needed a set of skills not present in the theatre) to remov...

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TRT ( Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Has anyone had TRT since having their Pacemaker fitted.  I know it's an age thing but since my implact in May 24 I have started to develop symptoms,  A blood test has confirmed that I am on the low side and could benefit from treatment.

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ED medication

Is there a risk with crt-d and on warfarin and cordarone??

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Shortness of breath

Is it normal to still have breathless symptoms after PM surgery?  

Or does these symptoms ease over time?

My mum only had surgery on Friday and struggles with her breathing when going up her stairs.  
Friday evening she had NO breathlessness going up her stairs but then last night she did struggle with her breathing going up her stairs.

Will this take time to improve?

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Rapid Increase in PVCs

Hello,

In the past month, I've experienced what feels like a fairly large increase in the number of PVCs.  Over the past nine months, my interrogations indicated that the number increased from 4 per hour, then 7 per hour three months later, then 14 per hour three months after that. Now, when I feel PVCs and check my Apple Watch, I'll have 7, 8 or even 9 in a 30 second period and occasionally nearly 20 in a minute.  They leave me feeling drained and lightheaded with my...

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Fatigue

Hi,

I'm new to the club, I received my PM in Jan 2024, biventricular, I still get tired a lot but without insurance I'm stuck like this for a few months until my new insurance kicks in. Anyone ever get exhausted after doing simple tasks?.

Thank you

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Heart failure

I was recently implanted with a second pacemaker, this time with a defibrillator. The first was implanted in May and in August went into heart failure probably due to incorrect pacemaker (New doctor placed the second). My heart function was down to 30%, but since the placement has increased to 49.6. I had an echo yesterday and now have Grade 3 diastolic dysfunction. Does anyone else have this or are familiar with this? From what I am researching, it is not good.

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Marfan Syndrome and pacemaker

Does anyone have Marfan Syndrome and a pacemaker?  If so, how is your heart doing since the implant?  Since our hearts are delicate, I'm wondering if it can take the presence of hardware inside it, and for how long.

I have asked my doctor, but the condition is rare enough that there doesn't seem to be any literature on the two combined.

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Pacemaker with Afib

I have 2 questions about my pacemaker and afib.  If they’ve already been addressed, I’m sorry for duplicating posts.  If I can be directed how to narrow my search I’ll go that route and not take up any more of your time.

Here is my background in case it’s needed: No health issues, other than years ago diagnosed with bradycardia (pulse mid 40s), told it was due to exercise.  Feb. 2021, had a lacunar ischemic stroke.  No cause was found.  S...

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Pacemaker or not

It's' been a little over a year after having an ablation procedure for Afib and having an ILR installed August 2023... now I am scheduled for a pacemaker. I had complete heart block while sleeping 4 times over the last 12 months.I don't feel it while it happens and am perfectly fine while awake. I have sleep apnea and use a CPAP every night.  My doctor scheduled the pacemaker surgery 3 months ago and said it was OK to wait until it would be convenient for me. N...

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PET scan being made optional

I looked at all the messages about PET scans on the forum but none of them addressed this.

I asked cardiologist at last appt. if there was any test that could be done to try to figure out why heart block happened.  They ordered a PET CT myocardial viability FDG (that's what the paper called it that they gave me), and told me I could go ahead with it or choose not to, it was up to me. 

I read online what is involved, and checked with the hospital on the price and my i...

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MRI and Pacemaker

For those who may be anxious about getting an MRI with their pacemaker here is my recent experience:

I received my Medtronic Azure XT DR MRI SureScan pacemaker on 8/12/2023, dual lead, right atrium and ventricle, for symptomatic bradycardia.  100% paced in the right ventricle.  I had an MRI yesterday to investigate my month long back pain and sciatica.  I was fortunate to get an appointment within a week at Hillcrest Hospital in Simpsonville, SC (USA). They...

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Can my mom stop Amiodarone now that she has a pacemaker?

My 77 yo mother had a heart attack and developed afib.  They put her on amiodarone to get rid of the afib, but her heart rate was bouncing all over from going too fast to stopping altogether.  They inserted a pacemaker which seemed to solve all the problems.  However, her doctor hasn't taken her off the amiodarone.  Does she still need to take it?

What questions should she be asking the cardiologist to see if she can stop taking the meds?

Thanks in advance...

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Shoulder Pain 9 Months Post Pacemaker Implant

My bilateral shoulder pain persists 9 months post pacemaker surgery, the left shoulder pain, the side of my implant, worse than the right.  Tomorrow I have appointment with my surgeon and his battery assistant for a periodic check of the battery placement and two leads and remaining battery life.  All was well and good when the 3 month checkup was performed.  At that  time I mentioned my shoulder pain and surgeon assured me it would be temporary and normal in time. &n...

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Dozing off while watching tv

wondered if any in the forum experience this.  When I am sitting down or in a stationery position,  I tend to doze off for a period of 10-20 minutes.

This does not happen when  I am standing or driving or concentrating on an object of activity.  I am not experiencing this at all.  

I am currently taking valsarten and not a high dose.

This does not happen when I am driving or anything like that.  It is more when I am reading or looking at th...

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Pacemaker

In 2003 I had a Medtronic pacemaker implanted with two leads. A couple years later they had to add a third late. Everything was going okay until I moved to Tallahassee Florida and of course had to get a new EP. Changed pacemaker in 2014 to Boston Scientific but still used the same leads. Unfortunately I got stuck with an issue even after that pacemaker was recalled and they had to put a new one in so that was number three. The issue was after the second pacemaker I have been stuck with an awf...

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Afraid to leave the house

Just found this group totally by accident. I'm a. 78 year old woman that went into afib when I was 32. It was permanent. I never felt anything until I was 72. That's a nice long run of excellent health and no complication from my heart. I started getting short of breath about 4 years ago and long story short, I ended up with a micra pacemaker. It's a small pacemaker that is placed right in your heart. That little thing caused one side of my ventrical to enlarge SIGNIFICANTLY causi...

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2026 list of Medicare Price Negotiated Drugs

Because this topic was recently visited on this forum, I thought I'd post an update on the first 10 drugs that have been price negotiated by Medicare here in the US, effective 2026.  Several of the drugs are related to heart failure.  All are amongst the most commonly prescribed drugs for medicare (aka older or those on permanent disability) recipients.  A step in the right direction.  Also, please note that the prices listed are for those with Part D (Medicare Drug) C...

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ELIQUIS & Jardiance

Hi all,.

I was recently prescribed these two outrageously expensive meds. Can anyone recommend a legitimate, reliable Canadian (or other) mail order pharmacy?

I have Medicare and a supplemental, and an Rx plan, but copay is still Sky high. 

The TAVR, pacemaker and Stent didn't Cost a dime, but, the meds-wow. 

Many thanks, 

Fred 

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Medtronic my care link

Is anyone familiar with how to get info about transmissions?

 

I am trying to figure out the dates for all my transmissions I sent this year and also what hospital the transmissions were sent to...

I am dealing with insurance (and filing an appeal) as a certain hospital is saying they got my transmissions and charged me a lot for them (yet the transmissions should not have been sent to the clinic/hospital) as I switched doctors and hospitals this year.

&...

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It's much better to live with a pacemaker than to risk your life without one.