Pacemaker

[bigmamma]

Hello , are there any abers out there who have a pacemaker , or who know something about one ?
xxx

[VillageVicar]

Good morning BigMamma! It's so nice to see your smile this morning!

I don't have a pacemaker, but my uncle had one. I spent a great deal of time with him as he had it installed and the process. Is there something in particular you're hoping to know about them? For my uncle, it never bothered him. In fact, he more or less forgot about it...although we were always cautious to be using the microwave when he was in the kitchen.

be well

Fr B

[bigmamma]

Good morning Fr Bill sweetheart , lovely to see you , hope you are keeping well. I went to see my neurologist yesterday and get some test results following what was thought to be a minor stroke. One of the tests was to wear a 24hr heart monitor called a halter . He said that the test had showed that it was my heart that had caused the episode .He explained that I have been referred to a cardiologist , and a pacemaker was mentioned ! Needless to say , I am rather concerned :-(
xxx

[cruella]

Hi bigmamma,
Sorry to hear about your recent health problems.
I would not be worrying too much at this point but if a Pacemaker is needed, then you can lead a normal life with one. It will correct the problem that you are having at the moment.
As V V said, if you do require one, don't go too near a microwave.
Let us know how you get on!

[bigmamma]

Hi cruella , thankyou for your answer , and your kind reassurance :-) x

Erm.....what happens near the microwave ? !!!

[VillageVicar]

Good morning again BM! Please, there�s no reason to be concerned. I remember when my uncle wore the halter during his evaluation. I�m guessing that due to the possibility that you may have had a stroke, they�re looking at whether you may have some blocked passages. When the blockage affects the flow of blood to the heart, it can throw your heart�s natural rhythm. The pacemaker is a small electrode this is placed next to the heart wall. My uncle�s was called a �demand pacemaker.� It had a sensing device that turned the signal off when his heartbeat was above a certain level and then it would come back on if his heartbeat became too slow.

At first he noticed it, but after a month or so, he and we forgot all about it. There are many different types of pacemakers. The doctors choose different ones to meet what your specific needs are.

However, this may not become a reality. If you�re still in an evaluative period, your consultant might try combinations such as Lipitor, irbesartan, amlodipine, ramipril, etc, all working together to help remove plaque that may be affecting blood flow. I should imagine those would be among the first steps.

BM, please do not worry about this. I have no doubt you are in good hands and you are being well cared for. If you would like, I would be pleased to locate a contact group for you where you may discuss any concerns. Just let me know what part of Lincoln you live in.

Whilst I have you here for a moment�I understand you were a downunder gal at one point. You may know I lived in Woollahra, Woolloomooloo, and later in Darling Harbour. I do miss it terribly. I was just there a few weeks ago and each time I go I long to stay a bit!

Be well

Fr Bill

[cruella]

Hi bigmamma
In the past, microwaves had been know to interfere with the signals in a Pacemaker if there was any leak from the microwave.
I believe that they have tried to overcome his by adding a protective type of shield in the Pacemaker, so don' be too worried.
I have a friend who works in a very demanding high powered job and also has a Pacemaker.
She has no problems at all since it was fitted. n fact, she feels a lot better for it. x

[bigmamma]

Hi again Fr Bill love, thankyou so much for your kind reassurance and helpful answer. He said my heart beat was erratically ....oh what's the word ....out of rhythm ....can't think of the word I need. Also he said that it had too many periods of racing beat . I don't understand cardio at all . lol

Yes , I was a downunder sheila for 13 years , wow fancy you being there too , what a coincidence. It is a beautiful country and so friendly and embracing. :-) xx

Ah ....irregular ...that's the word I was looking for ...lol

[4GS]

mamma!!!
don't you dare be unwell, it's not allowed

[bigmamma]

Hee hee john , I'm still smiling though :-0 xxx

[VillageVicar]

Hey BM! I think it's cardiovascular arrethymia that your consultant may be looking at. Interestingly, it's not an uncommon item. There are times when our hearts can get out of sync, ...perhaps missing a beat..such as rather than going pita pat pita pat, it's going pita pita pat pita pat...the pacemaker serves as a device to identify when this happens and it sends a small pulse to the heart to put it back into its regular pattern.

After I last wrote, I thought of a way to describe it...do you recall those adverts for electrical currents that cause muscles to contract, which suggests you can firm your body and lose weight from it? The pacemaker is somewhat similar to this...it sends a quick electric pulse to your heart to make it contract back into its normal beat.

I shouldn't worry about it...and cruella is right...the microwaves aren't that big a problem any longer..however, if you're er...um..heavy in the chest...don't carry popcorn in your shirt pocket!

Be well

Fr Bill

[VillageVicar]

I forgot to share with you BM, that on the QF flight from SYD they were playing 'I still call Australia Home.' That set me off with a BIG grizzle! Yep..love the people there!

I was hoping the Christmas lights were up in Hyde Park so I could take a walk through there in the middle of the night...but not yet...may have to go back just for that!

Be well

Fr Bill

[bigmamma]

Thankyou Fr Bill , you are a clever lad , a very helpful lot of information thankyou. Just heard from my GP that she wants to discuss this with me so I have made an appointment for monday morning .
My son went back to Australia earlier in the year for 3 weeks hols and went to see our old house , his school , and all our old haunts .....oh ..I wanted to go back too :-) xxx

[Panic Button]

I don't believe it. I went to the docs yesterday as I have been worried by an erratic heartbeat!

The ECG showed no probs, but he could feel it in my pulse so I am being referred for a 24 hour check aswell.

Bit frightening.

[VillageVicar]

Panic and Bigmamma...I realise you are both anxious about this. Please, rest assured, knowing that these are now simplistic procedures, with little impact and wonderful results. Please do not be alarmed as it can make matters worse for you!

Deep breaths please :-)

Bigmama..apologies..did you say where in Sydney you lived? I so miss leaving home in the wee hours of the morning, heading to work..no cars..no people..I'd stand in the middle of the streets listening to the harbour or just enjoying the silence...

Bigmamma...I thought you might enjoy this...my little dinky di!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbGuqmaDgLA

No worries ladies! She'll be right!
Fair Dinkum!

Fr B

http://www.youtube.com/watch?vhbGuqmaDgLA

I still call Australia Home

[bigmamma]

Good luck for your 24hr monitoring Panic Button honey . Try not to worry , although I know that's not easy :-) xx

Fr Bill , oh , as soon as I opened that link and heard that song I burst into tears , I really miss it so much , that song really stirs it up doesn't it .
I was working in Crown Street Womens hospital in Sydney for 6 years , until it got pulled down. I had a flat in Coogee Bay Road then. Then I had 7 years in Canberra , working at the Royal Canberra hospital , and lived in Kippax 2 years and Giralang 5 years . :-) xxx

bugs and quiches

[bigmamma]

Sorry , that should read Giralang 5 weeks and then Charnwood 5 years * :-) xxx

[shanx]

hello bigmamma ,my physio has had a pacemaker for years , he makes jokes about it and he carries on working , i know it is worrying but if you have to have one i am sure you will be fine. xxx

[bigmamma]

Thankyou shanx , that's good to know . I am disabled so I won't exactly be worrying if I can be very active or not ..lol
but it's good to be told that you can live normally with one .

[smudge]

Hi BM - so sorry to hear you've been having a few health problems regarding your mini stroke. I'd also like to mention that apart from microwaves, you can't use a Tens Machine if you have heart problems.

Thinking of you & wishing you much better soon. -xx-

[VillageVicar]

Hey Bigmamma! My goodness! Ya know, you and I may have ridden on the train together between Sydney and Canberra together..or passed one another on Crown Street...ya never know! I don't recall ever having a chance to go to the Royal though.

Such a small world indeed! Yes...that music made my eyes well up as I played it before I sent it to you...

I have a small story to tell you...but I'll have to figure out where to post it...

be well!

and DON'T FRET about the pacemaker!

bugs & quiches!

Fr B