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PM Heat

MY pm was installed 45 days ago.  For the first five weeks the site of the pm implant was warm to the touch.  I used a contact baby thermometer and the pm side of the chest at the implant side was 3 degrees hotter than a similar spot on the other side of the chest.  The Medtronics techs and the doctor's PA all said that this was an anomaly and checked the site for infection.  There was no infection.  A week later the temp is not as high as before but there is a no...

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Confused after implant

Hi all, I had a St Jude Assurity DR MRI implant 3 weeks ago. It's an active fitting. I had an early stage heart block with bradycardia before that and I did a lot of endurance training when younger. I also had paroxysmal AF over the last year before fitting. First two weeks were fine and the PM is set at 60. I am not aware of any AF episodes. Then the base rate would switch to 80bpm mostly overnight. I have very disturbed or light sleep when it does this. When I phoned the cardiac day uni...

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Battery Change after 14 years

After 14 years, my pacer is finally out of juice, officially running on "low power mode" and waiting to schedule surgery ASAP. Dual chamber, I am 100% dependant on this baby!

I was told my battwries would last 8-10 years. I'm at 14+ so Im happy.  I was 26 upon first surgery,  it's been so long, I've forgotten a lot of the initial struggles, pains, fears, anxiety.

My question, how much pain, tenderness, limited movement, etc will I have aft...

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Soreness

First, I wanted to say how great I think this group is and very informative. It's been about 1 month and some change (2 months on the 1st of Oct). There is no redness or swelling but the left side around the site is extremely sore including my shoulder. Just wondering if I should call the nurse. After reading, many say they are healed and starting to move around a bit more. I don't know if if the bra strap irritating it or not. I put thick gauze under the strap for cushion but it...

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Brain Fog / Sleepy

I experienced dramatically increased brain fog and sleepiness immediately after my pacemaker was implanted.  It's now been a month and although it's slightly better, I still feel significantly more drained and constantly drowsy compared to before the procedure.  My brain feels cloudy almost all the time, the opposite of what I expected.  
 

I'm 69 in good health, an active lifestyle, a calm, care-free personality and no other health co...

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How to judge a EP

I need to seek second opinion for my father pending lead revision procedure.In the short meeting time,  I would like to know how to judge the doctor is experienced or not. By number of years of practice, or by number of cases he/she has done? In the website of https://health.usnews.com/, there is a section Areas of Expertise. Is this accurate? Since making one appointment takes usually takes one month, I want to be fully prepared. Any suggestions are welco...

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Workout

Hi guys,I had my PM implanted a month ago,I am 40 years old PE teacher and my whole life is conected to sport.

My question is when its a good time to start strenght training like push ups,deeps,pull ups...

Any advice?

All the best everyone!

 

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EP appointment tomorrow - advice please

After some pestering I have amnaged to get an earlier check up with an EP tomorrow (NHS). I have two on-going issues.

1. Intermittent episodes of PMT giving palpitations occuring at the max tracking rate of 120 and which I can usually aboloish by valsalva maoevres or vigourous bending and stretching. Sometimes they self terminate after 8 or 9 beats (as they are supposed to)

2. The more significant problem for me is not being able to exercise because the PM cuts in when my&nbs...

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Can lead fracture cause sudden death?

Since my father would like to have second opinion and so we pushed our procedure till a later time.  The EP said the fracture usually will not cause sudden death, but it may cause some symptoms. Can you share your experience if you have experience fractures?

 

Thanks in advance

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Starlink

Anyone research Starlink Satellite internet and any possible issues with a PM?  My work is adding them to our vehicles and I'm trying to research the safety with no luck.  Had my PM for 6 yrs. 

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Motorcycle riding with a pacemaker

My husband will be getting a pacemaker soon.   Can you still ride a motorcycle with a pacemaker?  The doctor just sent us an information packet which says something about not doing car engine work when the engine is running.  So he is wondering about riding his Harleys.   I hope you have some good news for us!  Thanks, this is a bit over whelming at first.  Then, we have what seems like such a wait for it, 7 1/2 weeks.

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Reverse shoulder replacement

Anyone with a pacemaker had reverse shoulder replacement surgery?  I may be having this RSR surgery...what risks are there ? Surgery is left shoulder, with the pacemaker adjacent to it. 

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How do they see what they're doing?

Please forgive this post if it seems too trivial, but it is something that has long puzzled me.

Looking at some of the X-ray photos in the members' gallery I am struck by how clearly I can see the PM and the leads, but I cannot make out the outline of the heart at all, let alone its different chambers. These photos are very similar to what the X-ray monitor was showing at the time of my own operation.

So if this is the best view available to the surgeon, how do they know when...

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Waiting for pacemaker

I was wondering how long you all waited to get your pacemaker installed?  My husband is getting a pacemaker but the appointment is in 7 1/2 weeks.  That seems like a long time to wait.  Thanks

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Pacemaker surgery

I am new to all this 

It's been almost 2 weeks

I'm have a lump on my left chest

Will that always be there or will it eventually become unseen?

If so how long does it take?

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Worried Daughter

I joined this group on behalf of my mom.  She had a pacemaker put in on Sept 12/24 and she's not herself at all.  She keeps complaining about a foggy head, and numbness in her face.  She sleeps alot which I understand she needs to recover from the proceedure.  She is suffering from depression and anxiety issues of late.  I dont know what to do to help her.  She doesn't want to see the family doctor until the six weeks recovery timea are up.  I'm...

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recommendation for EP in Stanford or UCSF or South Bay

I need a recommendation for EP for pacemaker lead revision for my father either in UCSF, Stanford or South Bay. Thank you in advance!

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Chain Saw Chainsaw

I've had a BS pacemaker for about 5 months.  I know there's discussion about whether or not it's safe to use a chainsaw when one has a PM. 

There's discussion for/against saw useage.  Distance from the saw to the PM seems to be the main topic.  People use lawnmowers with their PM.  I guess a mower motor isn't that close to one's body. 

Anyway, I'm wondering if an EMI (electromagnetic interference) jacket would protect...

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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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Recent replacement and lead visible

Hello, I had my replacement in April 2024.  No real issues with healing except initially the one end of my incision was raised and wider.  It's completely healed now, but, it appears that one of my leads is on top of my new pacer and pushing against the skin.  It gets uncomfortable at times, is visible through clothes, and just all around annoying.  I didn't have this at all with my previous pacer.  Any thoughts?  Should I ask my Dr to look at it?  ...

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Member Quotes

My pacemaker was installed in 1998 and I have not felt better. The mental part is the toughest.