Joining question

When I joined the site, one of the questions was "How many devices?"  I'm not sure what that question means.  I have a Medtronic and two leads - dual chamber.  Technically, that means three devices, as it is lilsted on the original document from Medtronic.  Is that the intent of the question?

Thanks!


8 Comments

Devices?

by AgentX86 - 2022-06-23 21:51:32

Long, long, ago in a galaxy far, far, away ICDs did not have built-in pacemakers.  Early on, both were often used (two devices. Since the '80s-'90s both devices have been combined into one.  There are also implanted devices like Linq recorders but the question is pretty meaningless now.  I have no idea why it's even there.

A: One device.

How many heart devices do we have?

by Gemita - 2022-06-24 05:02:07

Hello Zmartmoney, That is the question I asked myself too when I joined the Club over four years ago.  I had two definite heart devices at the time:  a dual lead pacemaker and an implanted Reveal Linq monitor.  I remember wondering too if the two leads should be counted as separate components of my pacemaker system, giving me 4 devices rather than 2?   In the end I concluded that I only had two clear "working" heart devices at the time..  

After being a member for a while, I also wondered if it could mean “how many devices have you had over a lifetime” since I realize that many of us have already had frequent device changes either due to battery drain, device upgrade, infection, lead fracture, repositioning and reasons like this. Judging by the 'excessive' number of devices mentioned by some members, a few of whom are clearly trolls, I can see this is a question that ideally needs explaining.  I should be grateful if Admin could kindly advise what lies behind this question? Are you only interested in "working" heart devices or all other medical devices too?  I know there are many implanted medical devices around from simple hearing aids to spinal cord stimulation device therapy for chronic pain.  One Club member I know has the latter device implanted.  Out of curiosity how should we count abandoned leads, abandoned Reveal Linq implant devices, for example, which are often left in place at the end of their productive life?

number five

by dwelch - 2022-06-25 03:02:31

I read it as how many pacers have you had.  I am on number five.  I dont count the leads (have four, use three), nor functions within the device.

You are on number one, you have one.  A while from now, you will have your first replacement, then you will be on number two.

Another joining comment

by zmartmoney - 2022-06-26 22:18:27

While we're on the subject of joining - when I joined I was told I would receive an email to confirm my account.  I have yet to receive that email but about five days later I was able to login without completing that part of the process.  I had been unable to login prior to that.

Thanks, Z

how m any pacers have you had

by Tracey_E - 2022-06-27 10:06:17

The question was asking how many pacemakers or icd's have you had. The person who wrote the question is congenital and had 5+ so that's what he was asking. 

zmartmoney, it's possible the email is in a spam folder, but the most of the time they get lost in the ether. 

 

Another joining comment part 2

by zmartmoney - 2022-06-27 14:50:51

That is to say, if the joining process appears broken to new potential members, they may walk away disappointed and not come back. I wasn't sure I'd come back.

Reply to Tracey_E

by zmartmoney - 2022-06-27 14:53:38

As a not-long-retired computer systems engineer, I would know it if it ever got enywhere near me. I think it's broken.  If the email had not arrived, this site would have received some sort of (undelverable, etc) response from the mail program that would warn them that something didn't work.

zmartmoney

by Tracey_E - 2022-06-28 11:19:20

It's not monitored on this end. The site owner knows it's broken. 

You know you're wired when...

You have an excuse for gaining an extra ounce or two.

Member Quotes

I'm 43 and have had my pacemaker four weeks today. I'm looking forward to living another 50 years and this marvelous device inside me will help me do that.