First Checkup

Going for my first PM checkup Wed. Any suggestions for good questions that I can ask? I don't know if my examiner is a EP or not since this is all new to me. I will be sure to ask that question for sure.

4 Comments

Questions

by Theknotguy - 2014-03-10 06:03:46

You'll want to get a copy of your PM report. That will give you a lot of information.

You don't say what you have besides a dual lead PM. (I looked at an earlier post.) So it's kinda hard to give you suggestions on what questions to ask.

Whatever questions you can think of. PM techs can be a wealth of information, especially if you get a chatty one. Others may not. It just depends.

Your checkup should go well. I was watching when my tech dropped the voltage on my PM. Didn't feel a thing and everything kept on ticking like always.

Hope you have a good checkup.

Theknotguy

Questions

by quickclick - 2014-03-10 08:03:17

Thanks theknotguy. I am perplexed as to what the dual leads are since I am naïve with the PM due to being so new. Definitely will as the question.

Checkup

by quickclick - 2014-03-14 01:03:39

Hello. I had my first technical checkup (St Jude PM) Wednesday. It was with a technician (in same office as cardiologist) and not an EP. However, she was very helpful in answering questions and giving information. I will not get my report until I see my doctor next Monday. I did learn that my rate is set at 60 bpm; I have 11 years of battery life at this time (which is updated at each visit), I have Atrial and Ventricle leads, I can use my left arm more, but no lifting over 20lbs for the next few months, no MRIs; and I have only had on short AFib moment in the past 4 weeks. It was a very good checkup to learn that all is functioning well and my surgical site is nearly healed.
Any ideas as to what PM is chosen? Is it what means your needs, or is it whatever the doctor is being paid to use? Just curious, since there was a large variety of PMs displayed in the technicians office. Thanks for the help "theknotguy" on the questions to ask. Still have a big list for my doctor.

Checkup

by quickclick - 2014-03-27 09:03:01

I saw my cardiologist on March 17th for a review of my PM check and to have my questions regarding what I was going through and what I could do. He was very receptive to my questions. He cleared me for a 600 mile road trip. All went way until the return trip.
I was in the hotel and started have super heart beats and could not get a good pulse. Tried to let it get under control for three hours and took one nitro, but to no avail.
I ended up at the ER and the nurse had me as AFibRR. I was told my rate was in the 140's. When they put in in the room and hooked up the strip, I had returned to sinus. They still kept me overnight and there was no further problems.
Made an appointment with my Cardio doctor to see what was going on and why I couldn't return to my set rate.
I guess AFib is not cured by a PM.

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