First check

Hello all,
I have had my pacemaker for nearly 5 weeks, feeling really well. Am going for first check with Cardioogist and tech on Thursday. Am not sure what yo ask apart from 'how's it going?'
So any tips on what I need to know and ask would be helpful.
Thanks
j00ney

4 Comments

Same for me

by Theknotguy - 2014-02-25 04:02:07

First interrogation can feel "funny". Don't get excited. Just hang in there.

Remember to ask for your report. It has a lot of info.

You can also ask the tech questions. Sometimes they have info you don't think to ask.

On your subsequent interrogations you'll be visiting with the tech as they get the report. It's pretty neat to watch the stuff going on.

They reduced the voltage while I was watching. No big deal. Didn't feel a thing.

Hang in there. There's a lot of life to live.

Theknotguy

Make sure to get

by KAG - 2014-02-25 10:02:26

a copy of the interrogation report. It will have loads of info on your device settings and modes. You don't need to understand it all but if you have questions later this data comes in handy. This site has all kinds of people who can help you.

They will hang a "hockey puck" over your device and download the data stored in it. They can see what your settings are programmed to, what your HR was, your projected battery life, to name a few. They also do a test and some people find this makes them feel "funny" but normally only lasts a few seconds. My first time was worse even though the tech let me know it was coming. Now I don't pay much attention since I know what it feels like and it goes away quickly.

The key to me in your post is "...feeling really well...". That's the main thing, how do you feel? We are all different so my settings may not be good for you and visa versa.

Kathy

First check

by J00ney - 2014-02-27 10:02:18

Thanks for tips. Took your advice and asked for report. Seems the atrial lead is pacing for 85% of the time and the ventiricular for <1%. BP was 128/86mmHq.

Cardiologist said he would need to keep an eye on diastolic BP. I wonder if this is because heart is pumping better so BP goes up. Before pacemaker BP was never higher then 112/60mmHq.

Yep, felt all the 'twitches' with the interrogation device, quite unnerving.
Cardiologist said at next interrogation he may lower device to kick in at 50bpm. Currently at 60bpm and I feel good. I think he wanted to do so today, but I just feel so amazingly well I don't want him to change it in case I go backwards. Any advice again would be most appreciated. Thanks. j00ney

You're right

by KAG - 2014-02-27 11:02:12

How you feel should be the driver in making any PM tweaks. If you feel good when you're doing your normal activities, including exercise and sleeping, then there's no need for any changes.

Another tip I got on this site was that if any changes are made, only do one at a time. If you do multiple changes at one time you won't know if one helped or made things worse. It can take a while this way but easier than trying to sort out which change helped or hurt.

Sounds like you're doing great as it is.
All the best
Kathy

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Member Quotes

I am 100% pacemaker dependant and have been all my life. I try not to think about how a little metal box keeps me alive - it would drive me crazy. So I lead a very active life.