Check up to morrow

Hi, advice would be welcome. I am having my first pacemaker clinic check up to-morrow 26/3/12 after having my PM fitted on 22/02/12. I would appreciate any help on what sort of technical stuff I need to ask about to make sure all is going according to plan,and the technicians are on the ball. I know very little about the actual setting parameters,so advice would be great. I live in the UK,but I guess the settings are pretty standard worldwide. Thanks in advance for any help,I'll follow up and post the results ASAP.
clockman1

6 Comments

How do You Feel?

by Peg541 - 2012-03-25 01:03:35

I think it really comes down to how do you feel?

Are you back into your usual routine?

Do you exercise? Do you have enough energy?

Start there and let them ask you questions.

I do not like it when they make changes without first asking ME how I feel.

Good luck.
Peg

Hi clockman

by IAN MC - 2012-03-25 02:03:37

Peg said it all really . If you feel absolutely fine there is no need for the technician to make ANY changes to the PM settings and there are no technical questions that you "need" to ask..

... some people are happy with the settings they have when the PM is first installed ...as it happens, I wasn't, and have gone back 5 times in the last 3 months to improve the settings to suit my exercise requirements

My advice would be

- try to create a really good relationship with the technician doing the check-up and get a tel no where you can contact them directly to discuss any queries

- very important that you know what changes they may make tomorrow and why. If you do develop a good relationship they will happily give you a copy of the summary section of their printout. You would need to ask for this, they won't volunteer it . Some UK people have had problems getting a paper copy , I didn't.

- if your PM is not in use all of the time and is only used "on demand" it may be interesting for you to know what % of the time it is being used.

- you also may find it re-assuring to ask how long the batteries will last at your current rate of PM usage.They will tell you how many years ..but it is only an estimate

If you have any niggles about how you feel and particularly how you are responding to exercise, tomorrow is the time to tell them

Let us know how you get on

Cheers

Ian

PM Checkup Information

by SMITTY - 2012-03-25 06:03:13


Hi Clockman,

I know you are in the UK but I see you have a Medtronic PM. Since mine is also a Medtronic and I expect the checkups are pretty much the same worldwide, below is how a PM checkup goes for me.

A pacemaker checkup is somewhat like an EKG. except my PM checkups are done while I am sitting in a recliner.

I usually have to unbutton or remove my shirt so the technician can put 3 or 4 electrodes on my chest. Then they sit at a computer monitor/keyboard and put in various information on my PM. This may take from 5 to 10 minutes. A magnet is then placed over the PM. When the magnet is placed over the PM you may feel a change in your heart beat. This has never been uncomfortable for me, but it is a change in heart beat that is noticeable for a few seconds. Some have reported discomfort here. With the magnet in place the PM is operating in magnet mode which is where it must be to make any changes needed and to download information the PM has stored. This part may takes another 5 to 15 minutes. After which the magnet and electrodes are removed.

This is the time I'll ask questions as I avoid doing so while the technician is at the computer and may be making changes to my PM settings or reading the downloaded information. I want them to be able to give that part their undivided attention.

At the end they usually make a hard copy of the data obtained and any changes they have made. I always ask for a copy of that printout. Not that at I will understand much of what I see there, but it is a very good place for me to refer to for questions. Also, on my printouts any changes made in settings are marked by (>). I will take quick look at the print out as I can spot the > marks easily and since I know that indicates a change in some setting I'll ask what and why.

After that it is time leave. My total checkup time is usually less than 30 minutes.

Good luck,

Smitty



Good news

by Tattoo Man - 2012-03-26 03:03:13

Hi Clockman 1, very glad that it's gone well for you today and that your questions were answered. I have a Sorin too. I've just looked them up and they are the people who have developed this tiny PM with a volume of only 8cc. They claim that, in 1981 they had the first PMs with microprocessors...were there transistors or something before ??...tell me not valves !!

Its been a fabulous day here in the UK and doubtless the North West coast had its fair share of sunshine.

Best wishes

Tattoo Man

Best Wishes Clockman

by Tattoo Man - 2012-03-26 06:03:31

Usually, at least for me , the check-up is done with the patient sitting in a chair.
At my first check I had a completely unexpected BP crash and I ended up on the floor... the tecchies dealt with me very well and all progressed without any further hitches.

I dont see myself as particularly 'weedy' but I've learned that feeling comfortable and relaxed is essential when being checked.
My notes now state that I'm better off on a bed when being checked, they have no probs with this. They also tell me exactly what they are doing, especially at the 'Switch-off' point..that I have to say I dont like very much at all.

I wonder if others have anxieties about these routine checks ?

Take Care

Tattoo Man

Check up over

by clockman1 - 2012-03-26 09:03:11

Hi to everybody that sent all the helpful replies to the questions about my PM check up which I had this morning.
Turns out its a Sorin not a Medtronic, and everything is working fine ,no problems. The technicians reduced the output voltage a little and answered all of my questions willinglly,they were very helpful and friendly. So now to try and forget its there and move on. Many thanks to everybody that took the trouble to reply to me ,it was a big help and just proved what a great web site this is.Thanks again everybody ,see you on line.
clockman1
Roy

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