When to expect first check up?

Hi,

I had my pacemaker inserted on Tuesday in UK and was told my FIRST check up would be in three months time.

Looking at various postings others seem to be having their first check within 1 or 2 months and in in some cases even less.

What is the normal amount of time or is it based purely upon the individual?









8 Comments

Depends on where you live

by IAN MC - 2015-02-28 05:02:52

Hi Elmo The more you read on here, the more you realise that almost every aspect of having a PM is something of a postcode lottery

- Local or general anaesthetic at implant ? Depends on where you live.

- Make of pacemaker ? Depends on where you live

- Recommended time before you can raise your arm / do exercise ? Depends on where you live

- Interval to first pacemaker check ? Depends on where you live

Wouldn't you imagine that there would be a standardised " best medical practice "; but there isn't !

I am in the UK and had my first PM check at 4 weeks BUT I have found that , if I have any concerns whatsoever, I can have a PM check-up almost immediately simply by ringing the PM clinic. I have been seen several times off-schedule at my request.

So, if you feel fine , waiting 3 months is OK. If you do not feel as well as you think you should, then ring them !

Best of luck

Ian

Feeling fine - so why am I worried?

by Elmo - 2015-02-28 06:02:16

Standardising would really help Ian -thank goodness for Pacemaker Club and people like yourself kind enough to take time to respond.

I suppose I'm worrying as I felt great before I collapsed and heart apparently stopped.

At the moment I feel fine apart from soreness in chest and shoulder. I expected to feel PM doing something but feel nothing therefore, how would I know if leads have moved and in fact aren't doing anything at all.

To wait three months feels a long time before I know if PM is doing its job but, as you say support from the Clinic is only a phone call away. Having said that to ring up and say "I feel fine is it working seems crazy"!!!


Best wishes.


First check-up

by golden_snitch - 2015-02-28 07:02:39

Hi Elmo,

there are guidelines on this, and one typical scheme (used here in Germany) would be to do the first check after 4-6 weeks, then 3 months afterwards, then 6 months, and then every 6-12 months. But this varies greatly, even among doctors in the same country.

If they do a first check after a couple of weeks, it's rather to look at the pacemaker site and make sure that it heals nicely than to test the device. It does not really make sense to check the device after a couple of weeks only. One of the parameters that needs adjustment after a while in almost every patient, is the pacing amplitude (output voltage), but you cannot change that before the leads have healed in properly, and that is not before 3 months after surgery. So, no need to check this after 4 weeks.

Of course, there are some patients who already know after a few days or weeks that, for instance, their upper or lower rate limit setting is problematic for them. If that's the case, these settings can be changed earlier. But if the patient is doing just fine, one can schedule the first check after three months.

With all the advancements we see in the home monitoring technology, the check-ups routine many of us have known for years, is already changing and will even change more - less in-office checks, more home monitoring. In the future it's likely that patients will only be called in, if their remote transmission of pacemaker data has shown anything that needs closer look at. In some patients it's already done that way. Many of the devices implanted today can be home monitored already.

Best wishes

Inga

BP Cuff

by Artist - 2015-02-28 10:02:42

The doctor suggested that I buy a BP cuff to help track my heart function. I bought one that also detects AFIB. Initially I was pleased because I thought that the lower readings that never fell below 60 meant that everything was fine. When the lower reading fell to 37 several times even though I double checked manually I was afraid I had pulled a lead. So, I requested a quick appointment with my EP and learned that when my heart is in afib, the lighter beats just can't be detected. To make a long story shorter, the EP then lowered the voltage at only 7 weeks post op. and adjusted my medications. They then slid my 90 day check up down the road. I don't think that 90 days is a firm time for adjusting the voltage and you might benefit from getting an earlier appointment to put your mind at ease so that they can verify that your PM is working well They check the resistance on the leads and if they get good readings that helps to verify that they are making good contact with your heart walls. It is probably just an insurance thing when they set up the first interrogation at 90 days. If you have worries like I did, an earlier appointment really could help relieve your anxiety.

Feel I'm going backwards not forwards.

by Elmo - 2015-03-06 11:03:17

Thanks for all your info golden_snitch and Artist - it's really appreciated.

I've now got an appointment in couple of weeks for wound check. Am now feeling really tired (didn't before) and have prickiing sensation in my chest/back. Hopefully in couple of weeks all will have settled down and I will feel great - felt better a few days ago!!

Best wishes.
Elmo

It will pass!

by saljack - 2015-03-23 05:03:03

Hello Elmo
Have just read your post - only just found the pacemaker club - great site!

I am in the UK and had my pm in Jan 2014 and like you I had been in good health - or so I thought - and then I collapsed / flatlined total heartblock etc.

The advice that you have already had on this site re pacemaker checks is all good, very variable across UK but always the option of contacting your pacemaker clinic.
What I really wanted to flag up with you is that it can take a LONG time to feel better, I found the psychological fallout as difficult to deal with as the physical. Even now 15 months on I have "off" days .....but have enjoyed some great times in the last year that I would not have done without pm, so keep smiling and talk to as many people who will listen!

Reply to Sajak

by Elmo - 2015-03-24 06:03:13

Many thanks Sajak. It's strange isn't that after feeling absolutely fine these things come out of the blue. In fact sounds as if we have both been very lucky as so many people seem to feel quite poorly leading up to having a PM.

Feeling a little strange yesterday and today and in fact posted on the site earlier.

So pleased that in spite of your"off days" life is good.

Best wishes.

Reply to Sajak

by Elmo - 2015-03-24 06:03:31

Many thanks Sajak. It's strange isn't that after feeling absolutely fine these things come out of the blue. In fact sounds as if we have both been very lucky as so many people seem to feel quite poorly leading up to having a PM.

Feeling a little strange yesterday and today and in fact posted on the site earlier.

So pleased that in spite of your"off days" life is good.

Best wishes.

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