Re: St Jude Medical ICD

[Guest guest]

Hello , I have a St Jude Medical ICD. I have had it for almost 2 years and had no problems with it. Hope yours has no problems either. Good Luck. Leah shadow061 <shadow061@...> wrote: Hi all was wondering if anyone has a St. Jude ICD implant ? I have one but was wondering if anyone has heard of any problems with these? My EP called me and wants me to come in to have it checked out, now im a nervious wreck. I asked if there was a problem and the answer was no, but they dont always tell you UNTIL you get in the office. Thanks all and hope evryone has a Happy New

year. Sincerely, in Arizona

[Guest guest]

Hi all, This is my first posting, so bear with me. I have had a St. Jude ICD for about 4 months. I just got it checked for the first time Dec. 8 and all is well. It has not shocked me yet and has been pacing 45% on the lower chamber and 1% on the upper chamber. Before I got it my heart rate would go down to the mid 30's during the night and they couldn't give me enouch heart medication (started with 1.5mg of Coreg 2x a day)(now up to 25mg 2x a day). My EP & Heart Doc's call me their special Patient. It all started out July of last year being told I had type II Diabetes. That Aug. I had my first two stents put in. Then I had ten more stents over the next 6 months. They told me when I had my CABG with 6 graphs that that would fix me up so that I would not need any more stents. Wrong-I have had 5 more stents since the bypass. The last two

were 6 weeks ago. The ICD has made a big difference since it's been in. I have been admitted to the hospital 17 times (three rides in the EMS squads). My wife is a RN (works in surgery) the only thing that she has not done is heart surgery (38 years in the Operating Room), but she knows which are the good Doctors. Anyway we have both learned a lot in the last year and a half about the heart. I'm now on 17 different Medications. I have not been able to work since this Aug., right now we are waiting for SSA to approve my disability. Thankfully I can still drive. Sorry this is so long but I need to tell someone how things are going. turkeyman57 shadow061 <shadow061@...> wrote: Hi all was

wondering if anyone has a St. Jude ICD implant ? I have one but was wondering if anyone has heard of any problems with these? My EP called me and wants me to come in to have it checked out, now im a nervious wreck. I asked if there was a problem and the answer was no, but they dont always tell you UNTIL you get in the office. Thanks all and hope evryone has a Happy New year. Sincerely,

in Arizona

[Guest guest]

I have a St Jude for 3 yrs. It was recalled about 3 months ago. St Jude has a company call me once a month and does a interrogation over the phone. They then send the report to my doc. This does not cost me or my doc anything nor my ins company. I have had no problems and when it was needed it has worked fine so far. I would have no problems getting another St Jude device when the time comes. They handled it alot better then the other companys. good luck Bill shadow061 <shadow061@...> wrote: Hi all was wondering if anyone has a St. Jude ICD implant ? I have one but was wondering if anyone has heard of any problems with these? My EP called me and wants me to come in to have it checked out, now im a nervious wreck. I asked if there was a problem and the answer was

no, but they dont always tell you UNTIL you get in the office. Thanks all and hope evryone has a Happy New year. Sincerely, in Arizona

[Guest guest]

As far as I know all of these devices ahd a recall or had somekind of problems whether it guidant, medtronic or St. jude. Have a very Happy, Healthy, Wealthy, Meaningful ansd Zapless New Year Everyone. Love TURK" O'Donnell Jr." <j_odonnell4@...> wrote:

DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less

[Guest guest]

Hi all, i have had my ICD since Nov 03 it has gone off 6 times in a row at one time yep it knocked me out, luckly my neighbor found me in the garage and called 911, spent a few days in the hospital and everything turned out ok i guess. Am on CoReg also 6.25mg twice a day what a drug !! my cardio docs say its a mircle drug, lets not go far with this ok lol. Not sure what my pacing levels are will have to ask. Didnt know about that. My model is a V-235 . Good luck with SSA i have been fighting with them for 2 years now, ended up having to hire a lawyer and now awaiting a time for my hearing in front of a Admisitrive Law judge. My lawyers told me this past summer that i would probably have it either this month or in Jan now they have told me it might not be until April may or June as they had to send some of the Judges out of state to help else where, Calif and NV.

How nice. Well enough rambling i sincerely Hope that everone has a very Happy New Year. shadow061@... Ramser <tramser@...> wrote: Hi all, This is my first posting, so bear with me. I have had a St. Jude ICD for about 4 months. I just got it checked for the first time Dec. 8 and all is well. It has not shocked me yet and has been pacing 45% on the lower chamber and 1% on the upper chamber. Before I got it my heart rate would go down to the mid 30's during the night and they couldn't give me enouch heart medication (started with 1.5mg of Coreg 2x a day)(now up to 25mg 2x a day). My EP & Heart Doc's call me their special Patient. It all started out July of last year being told I had type II Diabetes. That Aug. I

had my first two stents put in. Then I had ten more stents over the next 6 months. They told me when I had my CABG with 6 graphs that that would fix me up so that I would not need any more stents. Wrong-I have had 5 more stents since the bypass. The last two were 6 weeks ago. The ICD has made a big difference since it's been in. I have been admitted to the hospital 17 times (three rides in the EMS squads). My wife is a RN (works in surgery) the only thing that she has not done is heart surgery (38 years in the Operating Room), but she knows which are the good Doctors. Anyway we have both learned a lot in the last year and a half about the heart. I'm now on 17 different Medications. I have not been able to work since this Aug., right now we are waiting for SSA to approve my disability. Thankfully I can still drive. Sorry this is

so long but I need to tell someone how things are going. turkeyman57 shadow061 <shadow061@...> wrote: Hi all was wondering if anyone has a St. Jude ICD implant ? I have one but was wondering if anyone has heard of any problems with these? My EP called me and wants me to come in to have it checked out, now im a nervious wreck. I asked if there was a problem and the answer was no, but they dont always tell you UNTIL you get in the office. Thanks all and hope evryone has a Happy New year.

Sincerely, in Arizona

Find Great Deals on Holiday Gifts at

[Guest guest]

Good luck, y'all, in convincing the SSA of your disability. Sometimes

they seem pretty arbitrary. I had the good fortune of being married to

a doctor-in-training and even she thought that the SSA would deny me in

the first go around. What I did was to overwhelm them with

paperwork--copies of all the medical workups including the approval by

UCLA to be listed for heart transplantation. Even then, the SSA sent me

to an " independent " physician for the final determination. I brought

copies of my medical history and he only did a cursory exam before

agreeing with the rest of the doctors regarding my condition. SSA

granted the disability benefits.

Coreg is indeed a miracle drug. With the medication regimen and

regular exercise (walking), my heart improved enough to get me off the

transplant list. I'd rather keep my own heart, anyway. I have been

watching my weight and blood pressure like a hawk and have avoided ER

visits for CHF (except for one episode when I did not take lasix when

my body told me to). Others on the ZAPLIST have also reported their own

successes. TURK is a great example. He's back to work after being

seriously ill.

In the old day, they tell me, I would have died of sudden cardiac death

and that would have been the end of it. The ICD and medications have

really changed the picture for the better.

Here's wishing everyone a great and healthier 2006!

Hey TURK, happy Ramazan! The last one I celebrated was in Istanbul with

a Turkish professor of French and her family. She warmly shared the

time with three of us infidels. The train ride from Ankara to Istanbul

was beautiful but bleak and it was a long ride on hard wooden benches.

Still, I wouldn't have traded the experience for anything.

Mike

On Dec 28, 2005, at 9:32 AM, john morris wrote:

>

>

> Find Great Deals on Holiday Gifts at

>

> Please visit the Zapper homepage at

> http://www.ZapLife.org

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]



Hi Mike,

Can you enlighten me about Coreg? What is it for...how much do you take.....has it improved your EF?

I have had V-Tach and Cardiomyopathy for over 10 years...but two years ago I had a "cardiac event". The doctors don't really know what happened but it damaged my heart and caused my EF to drop below 20. I now can add heart failure to my list of ailments! I was wondering if Coreg might be helpful to getting some of my spunk back.

Thanks,

in Vermont

Re: St Jude Medical ICD

Good luck, y'all, in convincing the SSA of your disability. Sometimes they seem pretty arbitrary. I had the good fortune of being married to a doctor-in-training and even she thought that the SSA would deny me in the first go around. What I did was to overwhelm them with paperwork--copies of all the medical workups including the approval by UCLA to be listed for heart transplantation. Even then, the SSA sent me to an "independent" physician for the final determination. I brought copies of my medical history and he only did a cursory exam before agreeing with the rest of the doctors regarding my condition. SSA granted the disability benefits. Coreg is indeed a miracle drug. With the medication regimen and regular exercise (walking), my heart improved enough to get me off the transplant list. I'd rather keep my own heart, anyway. I have been watching my weight and blood pressure like a hawk and have avoided ER visits for CHF (except for one episode when I did not take lasix when my body told me to). Others on the ZAPLIST have also reported their own successes. TURK is a great example. He's back to work after being seriously ill.In the old day, they tell me, I would have died of sudden cardiac death and that would have been the end of it. The ICD and medications have really changed the picture for the better. Here's wishing everyone a great and healthier 2006! Hey TURK, happy Ramazan! The last one I celebrated was in Istanbul with a Turkish professor of French and her family. She warmly shared the time with three of us infidels. The train ride from Ankara to Istanbul was beautiful but bleak and it was a long ride on hard wooden benches. Still, I wouldn't have traded the experience for anything. MikeOn Dec 28, 2005, at 9:32 AM, john morris wrote:

Find Great Deals on Holiday Gifts at Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org

[Guest guest]

Coreg is in a class of drugs known as Beta Blockers. Its principle

action is to slow the heart rate and the arterial resistance. You can

read more about it here: http://www.chfpatients.com/coreg.htm

Your doctor needs to determine whether or not Coreg is appropriate for

your condition. There are some standard medications used to treat heart

failure. The protocols are defined by the American Heart Association

and get updated from time to time as clinical trials reveal what is

working and what is not.

Be sure to describe all your symptoms to your cardiologist. When you

start taking a new medication, be aware of the side effects and report

them to your cardiologist. Initially, Coreg caused me to be more tired

than usual. The cardiologist began with a small dose and gradually

increased it to the recommended maximum. Eventually my body got used to

it and the extreme tiredness went away. It took a year before I got my

energy back and I'm still not as active as I was before.

Good luck in your treatment. You and your cardiologist are partners in

your health care. The goal is to improve quality of life and health.

Mike

On Dec 28, 2005, at 3:28 PM, The Belanger Family wrote:

> Hi Mike,

>  

> Can you enlighten me about Coreg?  What is it for...how much do you

> take.....has it improved your EF? 

>  

> I have had V-Tach and Cardiomyopathy for over 10 years...but two years

> ago I had a " cardiac event " .  The doctors don't really know what

> happened but it damaged my heart and caused my EF to drop below 20.   

> I now can add heart failure to my list of ailments!  I was wondering

> if Coreg might be helpful to getting some of my spunk back.

>  

> Thanks,

> in Vermont

>> Re: St Jude Medical ICD

>>

>> Good luck, y'all, in convincing the SSA of your disability. Sometimes

>> they seem pretty arbitrary. I had the good fortune of being married

>> to a doctor-in-training and even she thought that the SSA would deny

>> me in the first go around. What I did was to overwhelm them with

>> paperwork--copies of all the medical workups including the approval

>> by UCLA to be listed for heart transplantation. Even then, the SSA

>> sent me to an " independent " physician for the final determination. I

>> brought copies of my medical history and he only did a cursory exam

>> before agreeing with the rest of the doctors regarding my condition.

>> SSA granted the disability benefits.

>>

>> Coreg is indeed a miracle drug. With the medication regimen and

>> regular exercise (walking), my heart improved enough to get me off

>> the transplant list. I'd rather keep my own heart, anyway. I have

>> been watching my weight and blood pressure like a hawk and have

>> avoided ER visits for CHF (except for one episode when I did not take

>> lasix when my body told me to). Others on the ZAPLIST have also

>> reported their own successes. TURK is a great example. He's back to

>> work after being seriously ill.

>>

>> In the old day, they tell me, I would have died of sudden cardiac

>> death and that would have been the end of it. The ICD and medications

>> have really changed the picture for the better.

>>

>> Here's wishing everyone a great and healthier 2006!

>>

>> Hey TURK, happy Ramazan! The last one I celebrated was in Istanbul

>> with a Turkish professor of French and her family. She warmly shared

>> the time with three of us infidels. The train ride from Ankara to

>> Istanbul was beautiful but bleak and it was a long ride on hard

>> wooden benches. Still, I wouldn't have traded the experience for

>> anything.

>>

>> Mike

>>

>>

>> On Dec 28, 2005, at 9:32 AM, john morris wrote:

>>

>>>

>>>

>>> Find Great Deals on Holiday Gifts at

>>>

>>> Please visit the Zapper homepage at

>>> http://www.ZapLife.org

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

[Guest guest]

Hello :I don't take coreg yet but my doc is thinking about it, but in the mean time i take lisinopril which relaxes arterial walls, doesnt that defeat the purpose. TURKHappy New Year Everyone. Hiranuma <mhiranuma@...> wrote: Coreg is in a class of drugs known as Beta Blockers. Its principle action is to slow the heart rate and the arterial resistance. You can read more about it here: http://www.chfpatients.com/coreg.htmYour doctor needs to determine whether or not Coreg is appropriate for your condition. There are some standard medications used to treat heart failure. The protocols are defined by the American Heart Association and get updated from time to time as clinical trials reveal what is working and what is not.Be sure to describe all your

symptoms to your cardiologist. When you start taking a new medication, be aware of the side effects and report them to your cardiologist. Initially, Coreg caused me to be more tired than usual. The cardiologist began with a small dose and gradually increased it to the recommended maximum. Eventually my body got used to it and the extreme tiredness went away. It took a year before I got my energy back and I'm still not as active as I was before.Good luck in your treatment. You and your cardiologist are partners in your health care. The goal is to improve quality of life and health.MikeOn Dec 28, 2005, at 3:28 PM, The Belanger Family wrote:> Hi Mike,> > Can you enlighten me about Coreg? What is it for...how much do you > take.....has it improved your EF? > > I have had V-Tach and Cardiomyopathy for over 10 years...but two years > ago I had a "cardiac

event". The doctors don't really know what > happened but it damaged my heart and caused my EF to drop below 20. > I now can add heart failure to my list of ailments! I was wondering > if Coreg might be helpful to getting some of my spunk back.> > Thanks,> in Vermont>> Re: St Jude Medical ICD>>>> Good luck, y'all, in convincing the SSA of your disability. Sometimes >> they seem pretty arbitrary. I had the good fortune of being married >> to a doctor-in-training and even she thought that the SSA would deny >> me in the first go around. What I did was to overwhelm them with >> paperwork--copies of all the medical workups including the approval

>> by UCLA to be listed for heart transplantation. Even then, the SSA >> sent me to an "independent" physician for the final determination. I >> brought copies of my medical history and he only did a cursory exam >> before agreeing with the rest of the doctors regarding my condition. >> SSA granted the disability benefits.>>>> Coreg is indeed a miracle drug. With the medication regimen and >> regular exercise (walking), my heart improved enough to get me off >> the transplant list. I'd rather keep my own heart, anyway. I have >> been watching my weight and blood pressure like a hawk and have >> avoided ER visits for CHF (except for one episode when I did not take >> lasix when my body told me to). Others on the ZAPLIST have also >> reported their own successes. TURK is a great example. He's back to >> work after being seriously

ill.>>>> In the old day, they tell me, I would have died of sudden cardiac >> death and that would have been the end of it. The ICD and medications >> have really changed the picture for the better.>>>> Here's wishing everyone a great and healthier 2006!>>>> Hey TURK, happy Ramazan! The last one I celebrated was in Istanbul >> with a Turkish professor of French and her family. She warmly shared >> the time with three of us infidels. The train ride from Ankara to >> Istanbul was beautiful but bleak and it was a long ride on hard >> wooden benches. Still, I wouldn't have traded the experience for >> anything.>>>> Mike>>>>>> On Dec 28, 2005, at 9:32 AM, john morris wrote:>>>>>>>> >>> Find Great Deals on Holiday Gifts at

Shopping>>>>>> Please visit the Zapper homepage at>>> http://www.ZapLife.org>>>>>>>>>>>>