38 and wired

I has surgery 8 days ago. Just took a real shower today. I live in a rural part of Alaska and was given a st Jude model because of its remote ability to transmit info to my doctors office. So far I've seen some good signs and bad. I'm able to walk and do more without being totally out of breath and exhausted. Mst of the swelling has gone down. I have had some continued arrhythmia's and one panic attack. I'm also still waiting for Cell phone adapter that should have been given to me before I left the hospital. Is it normal for the manufacturer to act like it's not a big deal that you still haven't been able to allow your device to be monitored because you need them to send the right equipment? My doctors office seemed mildly surprised and said if I hear nothing by Tuesday to let them know. I'm adjusting to life being wired. Has anyone experienced interference to their pacemaker?

6 Comments

Thank you

by Pandabear - 2014-09-08 05:09:33

Thank you for the replies and honesty. My husband is also an amateur radio operator as well as a wireless internet device inventor. We have a lot of the things they claim can cause interference so I've been worried. This site has been very helpful.

Nope

by Duke Heart Patient - 2014-09-08 09:09:57

Never had an interference at all ... I have a Medtronic ... 3 years now.

It's probably more "mental" interference than anything :)

Stay strong !

no interference

by bluebowtye - 2014-09-08 10:09:08

Hi,

I have never had any interference. My PM is a Medtronic and they told me when I left the hospital that they would be mailing me my remote transmitter. It took about 3 weeks to get, but that was plenty of time before I had to do my first at home check.

Good luck to you,
~Sheila

I also have

by MelodyMarch - 2014-09-08 10:09:39

The cellphone adaptor from St. Jude but that is because I don't have a landline. A lot of the reps don't carry the adaptor because most patients (older) tend to still have landlines. I was lucky and the rep that was at my implantation surgery had one in his car and the first question he asked me when he came in pre-op and saw my age was "do you have a landline?" He ran out to his car and got me the adaptor because if they don't give it to you at the surgery sometimes insurances give you a hard time about it, something to do with cell service carriers and regulations.

As it was I didn't get my monitor unit for almost 2 months after implant, so I wouldn't worry about it. I'm on a see the doc for an interrogation every six months, with a remote monitor at the three month mark in between. There are also certain events that if I have too many or outside parameters that it will contact the docs office for me and they give me a call or adjust my meds etc. Living as remotely as you do the monitor is a good idea, saves trips when there really isn't much going on and you are feeling good.

As for interference, I wouldn't worry about it. I don't like big giant speakers at concerts and football games, or standing right next to the bass drums in marching band, but I didn't really care for that even before my pacemaker. Trust me, you will know if there is a problem because it will be a dramatic feeling.

Melody March

monitoring

by Tracey_E - 2014-09-08 10:09:53

I've had a pm for 20 years now and have never been monitored remotely. I go in every 3-4 months for a check. Many go once a year. So, no, I don't see any rush to get the equipment. It's a nice thing to have, but it's not necessary. I would feel weird if they were suddenly monitoring mine every day! It's a high tech computer that you can trust. It takes a while to have that faith, but it'll come.

I've never had interference, and I can safely say I've done a good percentage of things people have heard they are not to do. :o) I regularly hold my cell phone with my shoulder on my pm side, I run with my ipod clipped over my pm, I read in bed with my ipad (in its magnetic case) propped on my chest, I work all day next to my router, my husband is an amateur radio operator so we have all sorts of crazy stuff in the house, I lift weights, I ride roller coasters. I pace every beat so I'd feel it right away if something interfered. I really thought the ipad case was going too far so I took it along to a pacer check once. We messed with it in the office, could not get it to interfere.

It's normal to be nervous at first! I think you'll find that the longer you have it, the longer you feel good and get back to your normal life, the less likely you are to worry about things that could go wrong.

claims

by Tracey_E - 2014-09-09 10:09:42

Most claims are just that, not founded in fact. Many warnings given my companies are more cya from the lawyers than actual risk of a problem. And the internet is full of bad advice and old advice. For instance, yes, once upon a time microwaves caused problems. However, if you have a pm old enough to be affected by a microwave, you have probably had a dead battery for a good ten years, because that was fixed ages ago! Newer pm's are very well insulated. Industrial equipment can cause problems. It's unlikely anything at home will.

When something causes interference, it's because a magnet is strong enough to pull the switch closed and put it in test mode, just like when they interrogate it. It's not harmful, it just feels funny until we get away from it and the switch opens again. So, interference isn't that big a deal. If you feel weird, get away from whatever is causing it. Usually 6" is all you need.

You know you're wired when...

“Batteries not included” takes on a new meaning.

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