Travel with Monitor?

No

by Tracey_E - 2022-06-13 09:31:09

I was told anything less than a month, don't bother taking the monitor. 

i was told the same thing

by new to pace.... - 2022-06-13 09:37:59

new to pace

Interesting responses

by crustyg - 2022-06-13 11:48:39

I too was of the same mind - not bothering.  And then last June, 1st day away from home and out on my bike, the MV sensor on my PM decided that it didn't like the signal it was getting and switched vector - which disables MV feed into RR for 6hr.  Not a nice cycle home with a low HR.  But without my monitor I couldn't check with anyone about what might have happened.

So now I'm taking the giant, clunky kit with me.  Sigh.

Really, it entirely depends on your needs.  Two weeks away, having a relaxing holiday, I still wouldn't bother.  But two weeks away cycling around Mallorca, for example, I'd definitely take it, now that I know I can't trust the SAM to stop interfering with the MV signal - which for *me* is the main value of my PM (SSS+CI).

Travel with monitor - yes

by Gemita - 2022-06-13 12:09:13

GWFL, It would very much depend on your condition, the reason for your pacemaker and whether you and your doctors would feel safer knowing you had access to your monitor 24/7.  Clearly though emergency services in the holiday destination would take over your care in an emergency situation, so it shouldn’t be a problem and they could then interrogate your pacemaker. 

However, if you needed to be monitored closely for a potentially serious event, perhaps you shouldn’t be travelling in the first place?  I would definitely check with your pacemaker clinic and get them to make the call, or to decide for yourself for your peace of mind, to take your monitor with you (unless you have got a smartphone App that can transmit data to your clinic without the need to carry any hardware)?

I took my monitor with me when I went to Italy for two weeks prior to Covid.  Haven’t unfortunately travelled since then, but I live in hope.

MV RR

by AgentX86 - 2022-06-13 12:11:41

That's amazing Crusty.  I'd be upset about that.  Unless they're in the loop for every beat, giving you "permission" to aise your heart rate, I'd be in their face. Sheesh.

Of course, your answer to taking the box with you of "it depends" is right on.  I never took mine because it only calls the mothership every three months or so. I have the smart phone app now, so it doesn't matter much. In your case, I'd think it was an imperative. Sigh indeed.

Monitor

by gwfl - 2022-06-13 14:51:55

I think I'll go without, it's only to Atlanta.  My set up only checks in every 3 months and my original condition was not too bad (bradycardia), but I'll give my cardio guy a call to to be sure. 

Travel w monitor

by skigrl3 - 2022-06-13 21:12:51

Hi

I was told by Biotronik rep during my hospital stay to not bother bringing pm monitor for any travel under 5 days. Having said that, I just went away for the 1st time w my pm for 3 nights and brought the monitor. It was my comfort zone and perhaps as I get more seasoned w travel will be more daring! Speak with a company rep and also go with your comfort zone. Good luck.

ask your doctor what happens if you are gone too long

by Tracey_E - 2022-06-14 09:12:30

My inlaws aren't well so I've been making regular extended trips to take care of them, longest was 6 weeks.  I asked the ep's office what would happen if I wasn't there for a download. They said it would just try again next scheduled download. Mine only reports in every 3 months, I have been paced a long time and am very stable, my battery has years left, and my ep's office knows me well enough to know they'd hear from me if anything changed. So, they were fine with me not taking it. When in doubt, ask. But as a rule, most of us do not travel with them. 

Reply from Dr. about travel

by gwfl - 2022-06-14 15:20:34

"No you do not have to take it for just a 7 day trip. We will note your account. Your device may be compatible with a mobile app (my 5 yr old PM doesn't link). Please call Medtronic at 1-866-470-7709 to see if/how they can set this up for you in the Carelink system".

I'll try Medronic when I get back to see if there's a way to connect

Thank you everyone for your replys.  I'm off to Atlanta....I here there's hosipitals there too! :)

Atlanta

by AgentX86 - 2022-06-14 22:08:16

Yeah we have a few. Five major hospitals, four teaching, in the city with many others in the 'burbs. You could almost throw a rock between three (known as "Pill Hill").

I'll travel with mine

by Daedalus - 2022-06-15 01:29:10

My cardiologist said for short trips it wasn't necessary to take my Cardio Messenger device (Biotronik).   Company and company tech said go ahead and take it.  It'll work worldwide.  
My device transmits back to the company's data base every night and if any unusual activity is detected, a notice is sent to my cardiologist.  Apparently it is also the only remote monitoring system to be approved by the FDA for early detection and as a replacement for device interrogation during in-office follow-ups.  
For peace of mind, I'll travel with it.  

Travel

by ROBO Pop - 2022-06-15 18:13:49

My Cardiologists office has a vested interest. They want to know the minute I die so they can determine who wins their office pool on my expiration date. 

travel

by new to pace.... - 2022-06-15 19:27:49

glad to see you are back Robo Pop.

new to pace