Pacemaker Surgery is Monday 3/6/17

wrong date

by DRG - 2017-03-04 11:47:33

Just realized I typed 3/7 instead of 3/6/17

you'll be fine

by Gotrhythm - 2017-03-04 13:16:15

You've done the right thing by getting information and support from this site. Wish I had known about it when a Holter monitor test revealed my heart was taking 4-6 second pauses.

Get ahold of your fear. If you must have a heart problem, needing a pacemaker is the absolute best kind to have. Attirude will make all the difference.

Fear

by Tracey_E - 2017-03-04 15:06:43

JMHO but getting a pacer is less scary than not knowing the next time you'll pass out and how badly you'll be hurt. Think of it as your high tech computer insurance policy. No one would choose it,but most of us find it's easier than expected so we can heal and get on with our lives. As Gotrhythm said, if we have to have a heart condition, we truly do have the best kind since it can be fixed. If you have questions about the surgery and recovery, or about living with a pacer long term, ask away. 

Pacemaker surgery

by Loonylil - 2017-03-04 15:09:36

Absolutely agree with above comment by gotrhthym..it is a shock at first to be told you need a pacemaker, but it sounds as if it is exactly the right thing for you and you haven't got long to wait. It will be all done by this time next week and you will be looking forward to better health! Best wishes to you ❤

What i will miss

by DRG - 2017-03-04 16:51:42

Doctor told me I can use the cell phone and microwave oven.  The only restriction is no iPod at all.  Sure will miss playing Words With Friends

I think your doctor is out-of-date

by LondonAndy - 2017-03-04 19:03:08

I would be very surprised if an iPod interfered with current generation pacemakers.  I just Googled that to see why he might have said that, and found an article from 10 years ago that said that some experienced interference, but newer devices have better screening, and just in case you can keep the iPod more than 6" away from the pacemaker and it should be fine.  Note that if interference occurs it will only be whilst the iPod is close to the pacemaker, and moving the iPod away will mean the pacemaker will return to normal operation.

I have only had a pacemaker for 2.5 years, but not experienced any interference so far, and had no other problems that I am aware of.  And I am 100% paced (reason for device was surgical complications from replacement aortic valve surgery).  I am sure your pacemaker will improve your life and that this period before its installed is the worst time, not knowing!

(That 2007 article is at http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/789302)

Ipod use

by DRG - 2017-03-04 19:42:01

The surgery will be done at the Levenson Heart Institute and the cardiologist group (of 38) have quite a reputation.  Only three doctors do the pacemaker surgery and I will follow their instructions.  Just reading again the paperwork it states they will be putting a duel chamber pacemaker and to avoid the use of Ipods even if it is 15 feet away..  Another reason I'm scared stiff is I have a majoy allergy to IVP Dye.  The doctor said he can do the operation without the use of dye. 

iPod

by Hamsquatch - 2017-03-04 20:19:58

15' away just seem not right, I'm typing this on my iPad and it's pretty close to my ICD. Best of luck with your procedure! 

restrictions

by Tracey_E - 2017-03-04 22:00:39

Pacers have a little switch. A magnet pulls the switch closed and puts it into test mode. They do this every time they test it. If we get too close to a strong magnet, the potential is there to pull the switch closed and put it in test mode. As soon as we get away from the magnet, the switch opens again and it returns to full function with no harm done. Reality is, they are very well shielded and there is virtually nothing at home that will affect it. Keeping anything suspicicious 5-6 inches away from the device is the most precaution we need to take, not 15 feet. 

That said, I've been paced 20+ years and never once had a problem. If we put it in test mode as described above, it shows up on the interrogation report. I run with my ipod clipped right over my device, a half marathon last week. I read in bed with my ipad on my chest, complete with magnetic cover. I work next to my router, talk with my cell phone on my left shoulder. I've toured power plants, run our generator during a hurricane, jump started cars, been near giant speakers at concerts. At one time or another, I've heard somewhere that each of these is not safe. It's just not true. The only thing at home I can think of that we should avoid is the scales that calculate body fat. Anything else goes, and worst case we get near something questionable, it's not dangerous, it'll just put it in test mode until we move away from it. 

Here is the no no list from St Judes. Ipads, ipods, laptops, cell phones are all on the no known risk list

https://www.sjm.com/en/patients/arrhythmias/living-with-your-treatment/electromagnetic-interference

Received the pacemaker

by DRG - 2017-03-08 16:07:55

Medtronic two leads and there latest version where you can have an MRI.  Everyone here was 100% correct ablouy using an Ipod.  Dr was really upset that the hospital gave out paperwork were they said you could not use it.  Was installed in an hour and without IVP Dye.  Was not needed.

no worries

by dwelch - 2017-03-14 01:41:45

Here is the deal, the convenience store likely still has a warning that microwaves are in use.  You will see warnings left and right for pacemaker patients, a lot of that is just lawyers trying to protect the company from frivolous law suits.  

If you clime up the telephone pole and hug the transformer you MIGHT experience enough EMF to cause you to pass out, as soon as you are out of that field you will wake back up (as you fall to the ground).  

There is a relay that they use with a magnet, it turns your pulse into a battery meter, literally, the pacer drives your rate based on what it measures the voltage to be and they can use some device over the phone/internet to keep track of that.  So dont fool around with magnets right next to the pacer you dont want that relay to get stuck and be stuck with a rate until you get it fixed (replacement)?  

Phones, metal detectors, ipods, microwaves, walking across the carpet in socks and getting zapped on the light switch or door handle, etc.  These either have never been a problem or have not been a problem in 50 years.  The wireless communication between the device and the programmer is not going to get confused by microwave signals, etc.  

Magnet right on the device, maybe MRI although reading here maybe not and yours is supposedly okay with an MRI, geting punched/hit in the shoulder. and the damn seat belt if it is on your pacer side are pretty much it, that I can think of.

My biggest problem

by DRG - 2017-03-14 12:17:08

My biggest problem and I let the doctors know yesterday is I'm having problems with short term memory loss.  I wonder if it's from my heart stopping a few times for four to five seconds.  It is making me depressed.