Finding a Doctor that knows my Medtronic device

Medtronics

by BillH - 2017-05-20 17:15:53

You can try contacting Medtronics and see if they have such a list. Other you would need to call around to offices and ask.

But I have a different idea. Contact Medtronics and ask for the name of there top Tech Rep in the area. Then make arrangements to have that person meet with you and the doctor.

I suspect that the reps have much more knowledge about what and how each model works and what settings the pacemakers have. But they need to work with the doctor to find out you need.

Medtronic

by Tracey_E - 2017-05-20 17:21:51

With a few exceptions, primarily use of rate response, most pacemakers really are one size fits all. It's the programming of them that varies widely and is definitely not one size fits all. That's where some docs are better than others.  

Pretty much all docs know Medtronic, it's sort of the McDonalds of pacemakers. Brands like Biotronic and Soren are less common and you'd need to search more to find someone adept at them, but I've never heard of a doctor that doesn't do at least some Medtronic. However, doctors vary in how good they are, how responsive they are when facing a challenging patient, and how they do the programming. The office I go to brings in someone from SJM to do the checks and programming. My old cardiologist mostly read their reports and went on their suggestions and was never present for checks, my new ep is much more hands on, was there with the rep. Same rep for both docs, by the way, and he's awesome so I don't worry so much about the doc when it comes to programming. 

Thank you

by swolf154 - 2017-05-20 20:54:26

Thanks so much for replies. I've been relying on my current MDs to know what's going on with my heart and pacemaker. I'm finding out I'm wrong. I only recently have been doing research on my heart and pacemaker. I had a valve replacement, bypass and pacemaker done in an Emergency situation. I've had trouble ever since the surgery. I get lightheaded and my feet and calves swell up like balloons. I had none of these symptoms before the surgery. I was examined by 2 doctors 3 weeks before the emergency surgery and they both told me " Your heart sounds good". Now that I have a computer running my heart I don't feel just listening to my heart with a stethoscope is the best way to diagnose my heart. Am I wrong? Can't the unti be "Tweaked" I'm a computer - Data guy. Not an MD. Using the right machine and software for my pacemaker makes sense to me.

Anyway thanks for the reply. I'm going to call medtronic first thing monday morning.

  Thanks

            Steve

swelling

by Tracey_E - 2017-05-21 10:28:22

Check the side effects of the meds you are on. Some of them, amlodipine in particular, can cause legs to swell. 

Often when they say everything is great, what they really mean is the pacer is pacing and the heart is beating. That's a long way from optimized and us feeling our best. If they aren't responding when you say you are symptomatic, it's time to find a new doc. 

When my cardio moved out of state, SJM would not give me names, so don't be surprised if Medtronic is not responsive. 

Medtronic

by Bela - 2017-05-21 23:37:57

Maybe you could try a electrphysiologist 

I'm gaining on it

by swolf154 - 2017-05-22 17:42:10

Talked to Medtronics today. They gave me the names of a few Docs near me. They also told me someone from Medtroncs would come to my Cardiologist's office and check my pacemaker with my Doc. Now that's more like it. I feel much better knowing that. I DLed all the manuals for my PM and read them all over the weekend. I guess you could now say I'm an educated consumer. Thanks again. to all.

Ask for the histogram report

by Paced2017 - 2017-05-23 04:33:52

That's great. Ask the Medtronic technician to give you a print out of the pacing histogram, which provides a summary of how much pacing and at what rates you've had since the last review. Then you can track changes over time more easily.