Landline phone

I am being fitted with a PM on 9/23. My question at this point is can a VOP phone system be used for PM checks instead of a regular land line? I'm assuming a cell phone cannot be used since you are supposed to make sure you use it on the opposite side where the PM was fitted.

7 Comments

phone in

by Parrothead57 - 2011-09-15 10:09:24

Hi felix,
My pacer is a Boston Scientific Altrua. This model uses the phone in check. I have to use a landline with handset that fits into the cradle of a transmitter box. Thus no cell phone or internet.

Other models are different. Do you know which PM you are receiving?
PH

VoIP works fine for me

by SaraTB - 2011-09-15 11:09:41

I have the same PM as Parrothead57, and use Vonage, which is a VoIP service, using my regular phone cordless handset. I've never had any issues with it - I've never told the monitoring service I was using it, and they've never said they had difficulties with the signal.

The reason they don't like us using cellphones for the transmission is because cellphone reception doesn't have the same clarity. Nothing to do with any potential interference with your PM - as Parrothead57 says, the phone is used in the cradle of the transmitter box, while you wear electrodes, not held up to your PM. And, incidentally, I never remember to use my cellphone on the opposite side, and have never experienced any interference, either!

Welcome to the world of pacemakers, and the pacemaker club - hope your procedure goes smoothly, and don't hesitate to ask any questions here: we were all new owners once, and we all had a ton of questions!

Good to know

by Parrothead57 - 2011-09-16 09:09:01

Thank you Carolyn and Sara. I have actually yet to do a phone in. First one is September 23. I was of the understanding that I had to use an actual landline and couldn't even use use a cordless handset. I either didn't understand the technician or she didn't give me correct information.

Sorry for the incorrect information felix.

Medtronic & Magic Jack

by Glennrz1 - 2011-09-16 11:09:20

I have the Medtronic Consulta and have the Magic Jack VOip. Couldn't use the weekly phone home with the Magic Jack because it would hang up halfway through the transmission. Medtreonic techs tried some filters but eventually just gave up Guess it depends on your particular combination of device and VOip.
Good Luck,
Glenn

PM Home Check ~ ~ ~

by Carolyn65 - 2011-09-16 12:09:13

I, too, have the Boston Scientific Altrua. My land line is a portable hand set.

When the PM Home check aide calls my home, I have already set up my machine, have my 'bracelets' on and ready to put the phone across the area the phone lays on. The only slight problem I have had is when my land line battery needed replacing w/new battery & charged.

In fact, this is what I spent 15 minutes this morn dong before I needed to go run errands. My next PM check will be required in the doctor offices in January, 2012.

No, cell phones, etc. will not fit the machine, nor work.

Good Luck,
Carolyn G. in TEXAS ~ Please PRAY for RAIN ~

cordless handet

by SaraTB - 2011-09-16 12:09:41

Felix, I was told I had to use a landline and no cordless phone too, when I got my first PM - I think they still err on the side of caution. Yes, those things will guarantee a clear recording, but things improve all the time - I tested the cordless handset first, without telling them, and no difference was seen. Then we dumped the landline and switched to Vonage - again, no one noticed anything.

I think they just keep saying the same thing, without bothering to actually check what patients are successfully using.

Doesn't work

by jessimay - 2011-09-16 12:09:44

I have a medtronic implatable recorder (pretty much the same thing as a pacemaker with out the leads and pacing) we tried transmitting VIOP with vonage and it didn't work. My doctor wanted to see if it would work so he could tell everyone else, but it didnt.

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