How often pm check first year?

Is there a guide line for first year check ups? How often, What to expect at an appointment? I know docters are different...just wondering.

5 Comments

It all depends

by Theknotguy - 2015-05-09 02:05:37

It all depends upon what problems you had pre-PM, what problems you're having now, how you adjust to the PM, how you adjust to your meds, all sorts of stuff.

I had a lot of things going on so they wanted to see me every three months. I finally got to the place where my EP doesn't want to see me for a year. PM check is every six months.

Part of the three month reasoning is that it sometimes takes several weeks for heart meds to fully take effect, sometimes it takes several weeks for the heart to settle down and work with the PM. Part of it is, unless it's a crisis, not too much is going to happen within that time frame. You may not feel that way, but it still takes your body and your heart time to react.

Comment to my wife was, "If no one is running down the hall screaming, it probably isn't a crisis." I know that frustrates a lot of people because it appears their EP doesn't care (and sometimes they don't) but if it isn't a crisis, no reason to get in a hurry. Besides people in a hurry make mistakes. I already had one cardiologist go "Oops" and I don't know if I could survive that again.

What to expect at the appointment? Once again, depends. Tell us what's wrong and we can give you a good guess. My appointments have been getting better instead of worse so my EP and I have been having arguments as to how much beer I can have. He told me eight ounces. When I got over to the UK I figured out a pint of Guinness was, at the least, eight ounces so I really enjoyed it.

Some people like to know everything about their situation, some don't. Guy who does my taxes has a PM. Doesn't even know what kind it is. But he only needs it about 10% of the time. So he's happy with his ignorance. For me, I want to know everything. Depends upon how you feel about it. So if you want to know more, ask for your PM report when they check the PM. Keep a notebook with questions for your EP so you'll be sure to not miss anything.

Some doctors like to talk more, some don't. Although I've found I don't like the doctors who play the I've-got-a-secret game. Whatever the news is, I want it straight up.

Hope everything is going well for you and that you have a good year of checkups.

thank you for the reply

by sewblessed - 2015-05-09 02:05:47

To Theknotguy,
Thank you very much for the reply. You replied when I posted asking about what kind of questions to ask when I had my appointment. I did do a "follow up" post about the appointment and my surprise at not being checked but may not have done it right. I gave more details about my last appointment there. I don't twitter, tweet or text. I don't have a smart phone. I may not be computer saavy but I am very involved with family and friends to real time chat! But none of them have had any experience with heart issues so local information is lacking. A computer search for answers led me here. And though I hesitated to join I felt it was a good source of information. So many of you have already posted answers that are pertinent.
I didn't have any diagnosed heart problems before the pm. I don't take any meds. Afterwards the only problem I am having is, and it is decreasing, is lightheadedness. I get very short of breath with any exertion. But I am not letting that stop me, I just stop a moment, breathe deep and carry on.

jjiggers

by jjiggers - 2015-05-09 09:05:42

Same here, no previous heart problems and no meds...just that lightheadedness...and I just slow down a minute and keep going.

I'm thinking that if I am staying at 60, and all is going well with the PM, per the tech. then the "spells" only last for a few seconds and it's over before the PM records or act's on it. I may just have to live with it.

Pm @ 4 months

by sewblessed - 2015-05-10 05:05:58

Thank you for the comments.
Your check ups sound like what I was told by first doctor. I was very disappointed at last Monday appointment that heart wasn't listened to or pm checked. I would have been more re assured that everything is fine.

after 7 months

by joelcr3 - 2015-05-10 12:05:25

I have it for 7 mos now. had it checked by cardiologist 2 weeks later then by the tech at 3 mos then 6 mos. At 3 mos it had to have a few changes even though no events and I felt fine. at 6 mos no changes will see tech every 3 ms for a while. I feel fine and don't even know I had one.

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