Pacemaker check

Interrogation

by ROBO Pop - 2020-09-23 19:39:23

Thats actually the technical term, and it's exactly like it sounds. They take you into a darkened room, strap you down to a torture bed and then the fun begins. They suspend you from the ceiling by your device using a super conductive magnet attached to your chest. Bubba comes in wearing bkack rubber and carrying a leather whip. The rubber hoses come out and they start asking questions. Most they know the answer to, if you lie, they torture you by beating you with the hoses and continue until you can't hold out any longer. You spill all your darkest secrets. Then the real questions begin...how much salt did you consume today, did you really stick to your diet, did you take all of your medications, and it goes on and on...

Then again they could place a magnetic donut over your device, and the computer could just download the data stored there and you never feel a thing, but hey, that's not much fun for the people conducting the interrogation. Relax it's a piece of cake...or is it?

Interrogation

by AgentX86 - 2020-09-23 20:20:00

You forgot about the dentist's drill.

The only part that may be uncomfortable is if they test you for dependency. If you are, it feels like the bottom just fell out of your elevator. They "usually" warn you ahead of time, "this might feel a little funny".

Other than that, it's no more difficult or painful than sitting in the doctor's office. You should get a copy of your settings. You might need it for reference in the future. It's also useful to learn the details of your device.

pacemaker check

by JIMMYANDJEREMY - 2020-09-23 21:11:58

Thank you glad I won’t be tortured

Ambiguous statement

by AgentX86 - 2020-09-23 22:07:14

When I said "you should get a copy", I didn't mean that they'll like give it to you (they won't) but, rather, that you should demand it.  Take a thumb drive with you.  It might be useful to get all the settings.

Oh, how we've missed you!

by crustyg - 2020-09-24 03:08:58

You brighten up my days, ROBO Pop!

Seriously JimmyandJeremy, this is as much your opportunity to ask questions and perhaps charm them into tweaking your settings as it is for them to download information from your PM.  Make a small list of questions, get them answered and as AgentX86 says, politely and firmly demand a copy of *ALL* reports and settings from your device =>USB stick.

You may not understand it all (although that's one of the benefits of this site - ask away), and it's very useful to have as reference in the future.

Best wishes.

First pacemaker check?

by Gemita - 2020-09-24 04:58:54

How can anyone follow ROBO Pop but I will try !  ROBO Pop can you do serious or perhaps try not to be quite so funny?  It is not good for someone with a weak bladder !!!

JimmyandJeremy, what is involved in a pacemaker check?  For us not very much apart from having a magnetic reader placed over our device to read our pacemaker data.  This will allow your doctors to determine how battery, leads, device settings and your heart are performing.  They also use an ECG monitor to see how your pacemaker is affecting your heart.  You shouldn't feel very much at all.  They might ask a few questions about any symptoms you might be getting so be prepared.  We just lie there while these checks are made.   If all goes well, no complications found or need to change too many settings, you could be out of the clinic in around 15-30 mins.  

For me it was important to know whether any serious events had been recorded - like an arrhythmia, a sudden change in heart rate (increase/decrease) and the duration/frequency of these events?  If you have had any syncope events, for example, try to keep a diary note of the date and time you believe it occurred so that they can look for this in your Pacemaker data.  This is the sort of information they are looking for.

Briefly you could ask them to confirm how often you pace (% paced) in the ventricles and/or atria and whether your leads and battery are functioning as they should, but as others have said, try to ask respectfully whether you could have a copy of your data downloads, or ask how you could gain access to them.  I have to apply formally for access to my records which are eventually sent on a computer disk.  They are not handed to me at the time of my pacemaker check.  During my last check my pacemaker technician was very willing to answer many questions, but this was quite exceptional - they usually tell me to follow up with my EP/Cardiologist 

Easier than I had expected.

by That_1_Canadian_Guy - 2020-09-26 04:35:33

I had my first post-implant pacemaker check on the 17th and it was pretty straight forward. I sat down, the tech located the exact positive of my device and then placed the programming head over my PM. I felt a little discomfort when my pacemaker went into programming mode ( 100 percent paced at 80 beats per min). Once my heart was where it needed to be, the rest was a breeze.  The tech reviewed everything recorded and then after some discussion, we changed a couple settings, the programming head was removed and I was on my way.

How Soon

by JerseyGM - 2020-09-27 17:14:44

How soon after the pacemaker is implanted should this be done? I had my surgery in June and still haven't seen a tech or had this check done.

JerseyGM

by Gemita - 2020-09-27 17:38:56

First check is usually done 6 weeks after implant !!  At least here in the UK.  Where are you ?  By now you should have received notification of your first check up.  If not I would get in touch with them

Where?

by AgentX86 - 2020-09-27 21:04:54

Genita, his name is JerseyGM.  It's obvious he's in North Carolina!  ;-)

I had one during my wound check at two weeks, IIRC.  I had one, in office, every three months for a year, then twice a year in-office and twice remotely.  I've also had ithe settings adjusted anytime I thought it necessry.  I align my in-office check with the time change to keep my clock synchronized.