magnetic necklace fastening

Hello, I'm not actually the person with the pacemaker..it's my elderly mother-in-law so I have joined this forum on her behalf. I just bought a magnetic necklace fastener for her as a present as she has arthritis and has difficulty with such things. I noticed that other people have mentioned the effect on the PM, and I really don't want her to use it if it has even the slightest chance of affecting her. Does anyone know for sure that she shouldn't use it? Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks.

4 Comments

should be fine

by Tracey_E - 2013-08-20 03:08:42

Unless it's one of the new super strong magnets or especially large, it should be fine. The worst a small magnet can do is temporarily put the pm in test mode, which means it's still pacing but at a steady rate as opposed to going up as needed. If this should happen, which really isn't likely, the pm goes back to full function as soon as we get away from the magnet.

magnetic necklace fastening

by Raphael1 - 2013-08-20 05:08:06

Thanks for your comments, really appreciated. She is seeing her specialist in a few weeks, so will probably not use it until her appointment. I didn't consider any consequences of magnets when I bought it.

Doc said "NO"

by ksig - 2013-08-20 05:08:57

I purchased a necklace online. When it arrived, I saw that it had a magnetic clasp. the magnet was strong enough to pick up a spoon! So I decided to email my doctor and his response was change the clasp or return the necklace. As you see, I am pacer dependent so he recommended that I not take the chance so I send it back.

ksig

The real scoop on magnets...

by donr - 2013-08-21 11:08:18

...these are two comments I posted in the past year. See if they help. I've since used a strong rare earth magnet on the back of a nametag to test my PM & it had zero effect on it.

Don


Begin paste:
"Let's talk magnets
Comment posted by donr on 2013-02-27 02:26.
That magnet is a rare earth super magnet. Extremely strong for its size. You ask is it safe for you to wear?

Yes, No, Maybe. Let's look at it realistically.

When that magnet is attached to its other half, the magnetic flux & its field are MOSTLY captured by the keeper & there is very little leakage. Take that keeper off, & it's Katy Bar the Door! Big time.

Have you worn it yet? Did it affect your PM? I'm guessing that it did not.

If all you have is a PM, the magnet will not permanently affect its operation at all, should it get near enough to affect it at all. They use a magnet to download your PM in the Dr's office & that doesn't permanently affect you, does it?

Here's what you can do & it's perfectly safe. Hook the magnet to its keeper & hold it in your fist (The fist will NOT affect any magnetic field, it's just convenient) Sloooooowly move your fist nearer to the PM, see if it gives you the same feeling you get when they download the PM. If not, keep bringing it closer till it's about as close as it can get to your PM while around your neck. If it does affect you, STOP & put the necklace away till you can take it to a jeweler & get a lobster claw put on it.

If it passed that test, Now place it around your neck, magnet connected to the keeper & slowly move it around your neck till it's as close as it can get. . No funny feeling, you are home free. Funny feeling, get it away from the PM as fast as you can & don't wear it.

I just happened to think - my Wife has one of those & she cannot manipulate it behind her neck, so I get the magnetic clasp fastening duties. Her nape is about even w/ my M & I've never felt any affect from it, either assembled or separated.

I really think you are safe, but you should try this out for safety sake.

Don

Thanks for the reminder
Comment posted by donr on 2013-04-29 18:04.
I've been meaning to do this since trhe last time the question was asked.

I found my wife's necklace w/ the magnetic clutch on it & ran it up & down my chest & around my neck. NO EFFECT.

Then I found a little plastic tube w/ three of them in it & did the same thing. Again, no effect.

I think I can safely say you SHOULD be OK.

Worrying about it can be just as bad as having something happen, so if you cannot accept my test & your apparent lack of effect, get rid of the clasp by going to a jewelry store & having it replaced."

Don

You know you're wired when...

Microwave ovens make you spark.

Member Quotes

I have earned my Black Belt. I now teach class!