Home monitor and cell phones

Hey, folks. I have a Medtronic home monitor for my nice new PM. Very handy; it downloads nightly. The manual says not to use it within 6 feet of a cell phone. The tech said she'd never heard of that, but hello? there it is in the instructions. My monitor is on the night table right next to my bed; the next closest place is on the edge of the 10 feet of distance they don't want you to exceed. Too many words here: bottom line is my cell phone is my only phone, and I really want to keep it on the same bedside table, less than a foot above the monitor. Anybody out there keep a cell phone close to their monitor when it might be downloading? Or am I confusing interference on downloading with transmitting the info, which it will only do on its own if there's a big problem.

I guess I could just let it be, and if my phone really messes with the unit it'll let someone know. Or call Medtronic, perhaps. Your thoughts, fellow travellers? Thanks in advance!

4 Comments

Home monitor and cell phones

by fleebee - 2018-05-19 23:58:10

I checked my Boston Scientific manual and it says cell phones shouldbe kept  at least 6 inches away from your device, not feet. Check your manual again or look it up online...

Home monitor and cell phones

by fleebee - 2018-05-20 00:07:13

Is this what you have?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eKlLz3uIvxk

Home monitor and cell phones

by Sharon M. - 2018-05-20 00:18:38

fleebee: no, that video is 5 years old; there's a newer one out there. (newer video and newer equipment. no need for a phone jack for this one). But the manual for mine (24952) says:
Do not use the monitor within two meters (six feet) of a television, computer monitor or screen, or wireless communications equipment such as wireless home network devices, mobile phones, cordless telephones and their base stations, or ‘walkie‐talkies.’ Using your monitor near these devices could interfere with communication between your implanted heart device and the monitor. 

yes, it's a real problem.

by AgentX86 - 2018-05-20 20:39:26

At least mine uses the (AT&T) cell network to call home.  Cell phones constantly touch the cell towers to tell them where they are.  Your phone transmitting when the home monitor is trying to talk can easily step on the transmission.

In fact, I'd forgotten this issue until just reading this post.  I just sent a record (I don't do it automatically, only when something goes bump - first time today) and it wouldn't send until I'd moved the unit away from my cell phone (though I didn't think of that problem at the time).

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