May Have Pacemaker Implant Soon

Hello,
I am a first-timer here. I hope that I'm posting my question within the right group.

Although I am new to Pacemakers and/or ICD's, I am not new to heart issues. I have undergone three (3) Open-Heart Surgeries and I have two mechanical heart valves.

My issues began at the age of 24; I am now 63 years old and very fortunate to be alive!

After my last OHS in 2006, I started having A-fib issues and they have progressively gotten worse. My cardiologist is now thinking of implanting a Pacemaker.

Trouble is, I live in New Mexico and my doctor is in Houston, TX (THI). I am scheduled to fly on the 26th of Oct, have the Holter-Monitor put on Monday, the 27th and then meet with the doctor on Thursday, the 30th to go over it. It will be at this time that it will be decided if I will have it implanted while I am there.
If that is the case, I foresee me staying there for at least 2 wks. because I am on Coumadin and have to be taken off of it prior to the procedure.

Now, if all goes well and once I am released, will I be able to fly back home or will I be restricted to fly for a period of time?

Did anyone else have to deal with this when you had your implantable device?

Sorry I made my post so long but I am kind of anxious on how much time I'm going to be away from home since I have some pets that I will be thinking about when I'm gone.

Thank you in advance!

9 Comments

Can fly

by Lurch - 2014-09-25 08:09:52

Someone here, sorry I can't remember who it was, got their PM implanted while on an overseas trip and traveled back shortly later (hopefully they will come on and talk about it).

But, I have to ask, and please don't think I am being rude, but don't you have doctors in New Mexico?

Not offended!

by njp - 2014-09-25 09:09:05

Yes, we have cardiologists here in New Mexico and some are even good!

That said, all my heart surgeries have been done in Houston (St. Luke's Hospital) starting with the 1st one in 1975, performed by no other than the great Dr. Denton Cooley who is still very much a part of THI! I still keep very much in contact with him and his doctors. The last OHS performed in 2006, was done by one of Dr. Cooley's recommendations, a Dr. Reul.

I had my share of cardiologists in my lifetime but for the heavy-duty stuff, I go to Houston.

Travel.

by Tony G - 2014-09-25 09:09:11

The big problem will be that you won't be able to lift your arm on the side with the incision over your head for about 6 weeks. Also, make sure you have your card showing you have a PM with you and inform security. (Don't let them wand you too much.) Your best bet is to speak with the PM representatives before hand. They are usually very quick to answer these types of questions. Most PM's are not a problem on flights, though you not be adjusted just right.

Not Sure How to Reply to Comments???

by njp - 2014-09-25 11:09:27

I'm not sure if this is the way to reply to the posts from others (Tony G & Lurch), but thank you for your advice.

For Lurch: Another reason "why" I'd rather go to Houston for heart things: I am considered to be very high risk because of the fact that the Mitral Mechanical Valve that was implanted in 1975, has become overgrown with scar tissue as a result of my previous heart surgeries.

I now suffer with Stage 2-3 Congestive Heart Failure and take many medications to keep the CHF symptoms at bay. The doctors are very reluctant to do another OHS unless it's a "do or die situation" because it would be a very high surgery and they are afraid that the results would be worse than what I am now! I have been told that I am a "walking time bomb" and could suffer a stroke or heart attack at any moment.

Because of the above situation, I have A-Fib and Pulmonary Hypertension. I guess they are hoping that the Pacemaker will provide more relief. I kind of see it as trying to put a band aide on a gaping wound!






Thanks again!

by njp - 2014-09-26 01:09:46

Thanks again to all of you for your words of wisdom!

I'm getting to feel a bit more relaxed about the idea of having yet another heart gadget! LOL!

I realize that a PM doesn't mean that my A-fib will go away and I think that my cardio's main concern are the gaps in heart beats which are about 3 sec right now. These gaps occur mainly during my sleep. I am already on Oxygen therapy at night-time.

My husband will be traveling to Houston with me this time so I'm not too worried about having to deal with luggage. We usually check it in and that way, I'll have only my portable oxygen machine to cart around.

I will make sure to get a card or form of documentation from my doctors so I can present at airport check-in.

Thanks again for all your advice. I appreciate it very much!



Ah, 3 sec pauses...

by donr - 2014-09-26 05:09:18

...THAT is a different story than just A-FIb. PM cannot help A-Fib, but it can fill in missing heart beats. Meds and/or ablations are the normal counter for A0fib.

Wish you luck in your next great adventure.

Donr

As a former resident of....

by donr - 2014-09-26 08:09:08

.....Las Cruces back in 1961-63, I understand your problem. I was a student at NMSU & lived in college married housing across Espina Street from the Cattle feed lot. Just loved the spring when the wind came howling out of Arizona & paused momentarily across Espina to pick up a fresh load of cow patty infused dust to infiltrate through the glass panes in the living room.

Granted, that was 53 yrs ago & the only pacemakers we had then were shamans from the local pueblo who followed along behind us beating rhythmically on a drum to give the heart something to follow. Didn't work too well, to be honest.

On to your real problem: I don't blame you for wanting to go to THI for a PM, - but their specialty is plumbing related. PM's take care of the electrical control systems of the heart & the MD's who treat the two conditions speak two very different languages. I Googled THI & read their info - all advanced plumbing as I read it.

Unless there is more to what they do - PM's do not do much for A-Fib, except in some very special cases. Ablations are the procedure of choice to attack them & do not have high success rates - in the 50-60% range, as opposed to the 80-90 % range.

Our local expert in this is a German woman named Golden_Snitch. A real whiz on this. She likewise travels a long distance for her cardiac care, so you are not alone in this world.

Realizing that you are new to the PM world, you are not yet up on all the nuances of the little devices, but if someone starts talking PM to correct A-Fib, I'd get a second opinion from another totally independent health care institution that specializes in electrophysiology (The science of the electrical control system of the heart). there are several in Houston.

Donr

Flying

by Bostonstrong - 2014-09-26 08:09:49

Good luck with your surgery. I flew a week after my implant and took another trip 4-5 weeks later. I was ecstatic to get the time off work and made good use of it. If you are traveling by yourself check your bag so you won't have to toss it in an overhead bin. And try to get a seat on the left side of the plane going home so your incision isn't bumped by other peoples backpacks as they board. I had to cross my arm over my incision to prevent getting bumped. Other than that flying post op was a breeze.

I travel long distance

by JerryG - 2014-09-26 11:09:45

for cardiac care. I live on my farm in a private game reserve near the South Africa / Mozambique border while my cardiologist is in Johannesburg where I used to live.

I had my PM implant in September 2013 having flown in to Johannesburg from Hoedspruit (my nearest airport). I flew home again two days after the implant surgery with my cardio's approval and didn't experience any problem other than to advise airport security that I had a brand new PM and could not go through the normal detectors and would have to be patted down manually.

I also have had afib. My cardio did an electro cardioversion last year which was successful. I started having episodes of afib again earlier this year and the Medtronic tech changed my PM settings in an attempt to avoid the afib episodes. My 6-monthly check last week confirmed that the setting change has worked so far.

It isn't possible to stop or cure afib with a PM but certain settings can help to prevent afib occurring. My cardio told me last week that had I still been in afib he would have tried another electro cardioversion before looking at other alternatives.

Good luck and fly safely there and back.

Bushveld greetings

Jerry

You know you're wired when...

Your device makes you win at the slot machines.

Member Quotes

A properly implanted and adjusted pacemaker will not even be noticeable after you get over the surgery.