Not pacemaker dependant

I contacted my EP this week to inquire as to whether I could have ultrasound treatment on my left knee that I have been having some problems with. The EP told me after consulting with a cardiologist that there was no problem having the treatment as I am not pacemaker dependent. I did not at the time she was on the phone question her about this. Has anyone been told this? Does this mean I really do not need a pacemaker?

Sharon B.

3 Comments

dependent

by Tracey_E - 2008-08-08 11:08:22

Not being dependent doesn't mean you don't need it! It just means you beat ok without it for the most part.

My understanding is ultrasound is ok on extremities. I am completely dependent but they ok'd ultrasound when I broke my foot.

therapy vs diagnostic

by Tracey_E - 2008-08-09 08:08:14

I think the ultrasound they use in physical therapy is different from what they use for a diagnostic test. It lasts a lot longer and is more intense. I had an ultrasound right over my pm when they found a shadowy spot in a mammogram years ago and they didn't even call the cardiologist first to ask if it was ok. Ditto for the abdominal one I had earlier this year and the ones I had when I was pregnant.

The u/s I had in therapy when I broke my foot felt tingly and they leave it on for 5-10 minutes. It can interfere with some pm's if it's done too close. Newer pm's are shielded and it's not supposed to be a problem anywhere, but with some of the older ones they have to be careful about how close it is. Even if you have an unshielded one, extremities should be ok.

Dependent....

by Bionic Beat - 2008-08-09 12:08:53

I'm completely dependent but have had abdominal ultrasound since getting my PM.

Why would ultrasound be a negative?

As Tracey said, being dependent on a pacemaker means that you need it 24/7 forever.

Many people have "demand" pacemakers that take over for a slow heartbeat or other cardiac issues.


Bionic Beat

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Hi, I am 47 and have had a pacemaker for 7 months and I’m doing great with it.