Backup Mode - Update

I went back to see my EP yesterday. They had 2 Representatives from Biotronik there to investigate and help reset my PM. I took my Relief Band to the appointment with me. From Tuesday's appointment they were able to send the files of data they collected from the PM to Biotronik. On Wednesday the Biotronik Engineers reviewed the files which were all the components of the PM self checking and they determined the PM was operating properly, that it did not malfunction. Also, my home monitor finally was able to download Wednesday morning so they were able to piece back that the PM went into safe mode on 1/6 (the day I flew to Florida). They said my PM detected something on the 6th and put itself into safe mode which is what it is programmed to do to protect itself. The representatives were able to reset the PM and they looked over my Relief Band extensively and determined that I could still use it as long as I didn't have it next to my PM. Then they started questioning me about the 6th. Did I have my arms crossed on the plane that would have had the Relief Band close to the PM? How far up my arm can I feel the voltage from the Relief Band? - they were wondering if the band possibly malfunctioned due to it's age. Which arm did I have it on? What type of security did I go through at the airport? I told them the new 3D style security and then they asked if airport security used the wand on me at all. I had forgotten that when I went through security I had a sweatshirt on that had 2 side pockets with zippers and also my medical ID that were detected and they did wand me in those locations. They told me to never let airport security wand me, to always ask for the pat down. But they weren't convinced that was what he PM detected, either. So bottom line is we will probably never know exactly what the PM detected but that the PM is operating exactly as it is programmed to do and they said I was never in any danger "because I am not PM dependent." Wow, what if I was??? I questioned them about why the PM can't speak to the home monitor to alert someone when it goes into safe mode. They said after 21 days if the PM doesn't check in with the monitor the monitor will send a message to the doctor. I told them I think that is too long for someone to go and what if I WAS PM dependent? While they didn't say anything I could tell they agreed and it gave them something to think about.

3 Comments

Hello

by mytrose43 - 2015-01-23 03:01:16

Just a quick question i have a st jude pacemaker am i understanding you right that you should not let anyone use a wand on you .i on occasion have to do to the local courts and i either can walk thru the metal detector or use the wand i usually have them use the wand so i am a bit confused what is safe and what is not

Biotronik

by valley01 - 2015-01-23 04:01:26

The Biotronik Reps just told me not to let airport security wand me when I travel. I should insist on a pat down if needed.

no wands

by Tracey_E - 2015-01-23 05:01:08

I have always been told that wands are NOT SAFE. They are more concentrated versions of metal detectors and can mess with our settings. It's ok to use them below the waist but I usually refuse even that because it's too close for comfort and the people using them are usually not well trained.

Very few people are truly dependent. Most of us have some sort of underlying rate so if the pm completely failed, we'd still have heart beat until we could get help. We'd feel bad most likely, but we would survive it. However, they do not fail. As you learned, they go into back up mode where it paces at a steady rate. The more you pace, the worse this will feel, but you are always safe because your rate won't be dangerously low. If you paced more, you probably would have felt a whole lot worse and this would have been figured out sooner.

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Life does not stop with a pacemaker, even though it caught me off guard.