Can I return to work in the heating and cooling trade:

Don't see why not

by Theknotguy - 2018-02-16 10:46:39

Got the pacemaker and got all the scary warnings.  Watch for security, don't use cell phone on left side, watch electricity, etc., etc.  Most of the warnings were there to cover someone's backside in case of a potential lawsuit.  The only thing, and I mean the only thing, that has bothered my pacemaker has been when it has been shaken and the accelerometer kicks up my heart rate.  

I volunteer in a woodshop.  Run all the power equipment, no problems.  Leaned over a running car engine to jump start my daughter-in-law's car, no problem.  Helped re-wire my son't 110 volt garage door opener and got zapped with live 110 volts,  no problem.  Walk through a security checker device that checks for firearms several times a day two days per week, no problem.  

We did have a guy on the forum who was welding.  No one would certify it was OK including the pacemaker manufacturer.  So he couldn't keep his job.  But we've had people on the forum who've done MIG, TIG, and arc welding and say they can do it with no problems.  So the jury is still out on that.  

So unless you plan on hugging some running electrical equipment,  I don't see where your pacemaker will be a problem.  

I will tell you it took a while to get over the soreness.  Had to lift 30 pound pieces of wood and it pinched the pacemaker between my shoulder and rib cage and that hurt.  So had to quit doing that for a while.  But once I got over the soreness I was back to full speed.  

Hope you can get back to work soon.

No Problems Here

by familyliving - 2018-02-16 16:00:03

Every time I get an updated device I usually worry about the same thing.  Before getting the implant, check with your EP and discuss what you do for a living, the type of equipment you're around daily, etc.  Some device manufacturers have less strict of rules than the next one may.  When I got my first one, I was told no welding, power tools, magnets, running cars, etc.  Not two years later a buddy of mine from school got his put in, a different manufacturer, he was a certified welder and was told he was clear to go.  So double check there(I know most today try to keep the same standards to avoid "losing business").  

As far as everything you listed, I've had not complications with any of them.  I've done work or worked on all listed and haven't had any noise or troubles shown on the device screening either.  I do, however, still throw a note in my phone when I do something for a long period of time they warned me against.  Just so I have a date and time in case there is a system issue listed on the device log.

The only time I've ever had noise show up was when I ran a chainsaw for several hours in a day.  The EP wasn't too impressed, but since I didn't have any problems any other time, I didn't see an issue.  For the first 2-3 months I would just keep an eye on the activity you're doing and maybe even keep a log of those questionable activities.  If nothing shows up, you should be set.

My new EP tells me to go out and live, the device is there to keep me alive, not kill me.  Keep that in mind and you quickly realize most of those warnings are as Theknotguy says, "to cover someone's backside".

Continuing to work HVAC

by Dumpster - 2018-02-16 17:03:07

Thank you both for the encouraging words!  Good to know things aren't as bad as they're making out.  I was beginning to wonder if I could do anything!  I have an ICD, not a pacemaker though, and I really didn't want to keep getting knocked on my butt by the shock.  Are fthe precautions about the same for ICD's and pacemakers?  Your comments give me hope that I can keep living my life.  Thank you!

no problems here

by muskeg - 2018-02-17 12:01:56

I work as an electric motor systems tech, on motors from 5-10,000 hp, 208-13,800 volts

I was concerned as well, returning back to work Oct 2017 wtih an ICD implant.

I did manage to get a document from Biotronics (the ICD manufacturer) stating no more then 10 gauss at the impant site would be acceptable. The company I work for bought an AlphaLab GM-2 gaussmeter (ish $800 CAN) for me to check out my work area. Thru using it to check the area out, it's best for me not to bear hug certain motors, transformers, bearing heaters, radio speakers, power transmission lines etc ( not that I did this before, or that doing this would be common practice) but the levels of gauss even a foot away from these pieces of equipment drop off considerably and two feet away, there is pretty much no measurable EMF

I have been back at work for 4 months now, with no issues whatsoever, for me having the ICD is still on my mind but for the most part a non issue.

hope this helps

Al

One thing I forgot to mention....

by Theknotguy - 2018-02-17 14:42:54

I  was doing volunteer work in the woodshop.  We do a lot of functional furniture building.  i.e. most of the stuff is made from melamine and MDF so it isn't elegant or artistic furniture in any way.  Once we cut the stuff we use regular wall paint to paint the exposed wood - functional it is.  Anyway...  Was using a Kreg Jig pocket screw unit plus Kreg's drill to drill pocket screw holes in table aprons.  We've built a special table that allows us to drill three holes quickly in a piece of melamine.  After  about 50 aprons of three holes each I was getting tired of lifting the DeWalt 110 volt power drill and started using my shoulder instead of my arms to push the drill in.  Completly forgot about having a pacemaker.  

After about another 50 aprons with three drilled holes each it finally dawned on me I was using my left shoulder to push the drill bit in and my pacemaker was lying on top of the running 110 volt DeWalt drill as I was drilling the holes.  "Shouldn't be doing that!", I thought.  Paused for a moment to see if I would get dizzy, black out, alarm bells would start ringing, or I would hear angels singing.  But, nah, nothing,  So I was definitely within the six inch "danger zone" but nothing had happened.  I changed my position on how I was drilling the remainder of the holes until I finished the job but I'm not as concerned as I used to be about EMF and the pacemaker.  I don't suggest you go out and do the same, but I don't feel you need to be as concerned as some of the medical people tell you to be. (Actually a nurse and I went nose-to-nose the other day.  She was saying I was just knowedgable enough to be dangerous and I was telling her I have a pacemaker and have to live with it and she doesn't. Ah well!)

However, since you have an ICD and can get the "Jesus shock!" I would definitely get into a discussion about driving vehicles.  Don't know how big of a truck you'll need to drive, but I wouldn't want you to get a shock while driving one of those 24 foot dual back wheel units fully loaded at 60 MPH down the freeway.  Talk about a loaded missle getting away from you!!!  You'd probably wake up dead and kill several other people to boot.  That's my concern.  I was thinking you had a pacemaker.  ICD's have to be treated differently and I don't have an ICD so I may be steering you the wrong way.  Hopefully some other people with ICD's will chime in and correct me if I'm wrong.  

Otherwise, I hope everything goes well for you.  

ICD and EMF

by Dumpster - 2018-02-18 20:15:13

I think you're both right.  I called Boston Scientific and they basically don't want the device very close to anything.  Muskeg, you said your factory said upper limit was 10 G, BS says 1 Gauss.  Big difference.  Like you all said, they're just trying to cover their butts.  I got my meter today and have been testing everything.  No really high levels here at home unless the meter is right up against the running motors.  I had classes to renew my licensing this weekend and one of the topics that came up was actually the problem with unshielded fans and equipment in public areas that are interfering with the growing number of implanted devices.  Go figure!  THANK YOU again for your advice and stories.  Nothing replaces real world experience.