PM2210

just had a replacement pacemaker implanted last week. dr and tech did not discuss type of device they were installing. had a pacemaker for 8 years and never had to worry about setting up an in home monitor before... only had to visit the dr office 1- 2 twice a yr. no big deal ... this seems like a major inconvenience now...
Have not set up the monitor yet. any suggestions

6 Comments

talk to them

by Tracey_E - 2012-12-27 08:12:14

It's a shame they didn't tell you in advance but usually they consider the home monitor to be a convenience and they're doing us a favor giving it to us. I've never had one either, and would probably feel as you do if they suddenly gave me one. I like going in for my appointments, talk to a human. Ask if you can just skip it.

mee too

by RetCop - 2012-12-27 10:12:41

I wish I had one too. I didn't even know it existed until after my pacemaker was installed. I guess it is up to the doctor what you're going to get.

My doctor mostly puts in Boston Scientific and mine is a duel chamber. She must have a reason to stick with them.

home monitor

by Zia - 2012-12-27 12:12:14

I don't have a home monitor, wish I did, but have been told it's "not needed" even though I live 60 miles from the nearest PM clinic which only meets once a month. I agree with everybody else that they should have discussed it with you in advance to be sure you understood the why and how of it. BUT they didn't, which you'll find is pretty common, so as advised by the others, I would just go with it for now. It may be that they think you need to be checked more often than before or something like that. When you can get hold of your doctor, ask about this and don't take no for answer.

Home monitor for pacemaker

by Diamond Jules - 2012-12-27 12:12:54

Dont be scared of the home monitor, it is so simple, easy, straightforward to use. Mine has clear instructions (Medtronic) and is pretty much "plug into phone line, press buttons and place pad on skin over pacemaker and wait for lights to light up and send signal and data"!

I get a letter in the post telling me when to do it and they check it the next day then send me a letter soon after :-)

Best regards
Julie (bionic Ju)

LUV MY PHONE CHECK MONITOR ~ ~ ~

by Carolyn65 - 2012-12-28 02:12:07

After my first couple of months of Dr. visits after my PM placement 11/2009, the heart Dr. office asked IF I was interested in a 'box' being sent home. They explained it would save me a trip every 3 months to their office, which is about 40 miles from my home, thru 'big city' traffic and the 'crazies'.

I love the lil' box. After the first initial appt. in 2009, a Lady calls me from the heart Dr. office once every 3 mo. I know the time/day she is calling, I place the provided 'bracelets' on each wrist. The bracelets are attached to the machine. The Lady calls, asks me to lay my phone down on a noted place on the small box machine for a few seconds, then place a provided magnet over the PM for a few seconds and we are thru! Maybe 5 minutes in my own home quarterly, compared to having to dress, brave the weather, take my life in my own hands in the 'big city' traffic/craziness and drive for an hour, only to be in reverse coming home again.

I love my box and its convenience. Only takes about 5 minutes of my time every 3 months. I do have to go in on the 4th quarter to the office for an official in office check. If I ask for it, they will mail a copy of the test 'gibberish' home to me, but the Lady always tells me her 'ticker tape' looks good. I see my heart Dr. once/per year.

I am sure the boxes are even more modernized now.

Let us know,
Carolyn G. in TEXAS

Home Monitor

by gleesue - 2012-12-28 12:12:16

I have a Biotronik and I think the technology is great. You don’t say what type of monitor you have. I have a monitor next to my bed. It communicates with a tracking station every night. My Doc. will know immediately if something is not working correctly with my PM or there is something going on with my heart. The quarterly check ups are done on my PM at night while I sleep. I don’t even know when they take place. If I go out of town for a brief period it will update as soon as I get home. If I go out of town for an extended period of time I can take the monitor with me and hook up to any phone at it will update to the tracking station. This really gives me peace of mind.

Jerry

You know you're wired when...

You’re a battery-operated lover.

Member Quotes

Hang in there; it does get better every day!