MRI with PACEMAKER

I am so thankful I found this resource.  When I received my PM all I was told was this is a common proceedure.  It was common to those who do this proceedure but i felt very unprepared for what was going to happen.  There was no one to talk to who had a PM, what did they feel, how did they cope and I was scared and felt so alone.  About 8 months ago I found this club.  You all provided the help and support I so needed to come to terms with this new situation.  I have read many posts and found comfort from them.  This is my first post.

I received my pacemaker going on 2 years.  It took me a long time to get used to the idea that I had a foreign object implanted in my body.  I am now 82 and have always been active and healthy.  When I was told I needed a pacemaker after 1 day in the hospital, I was confused.  I had a history of irregular heartbeat for over 30 years but nothing prepared me for the shock of needing a pacemaker.  I was diagnosed with Tachy-Brady syndrome. 

About 6 months ago, I slipped on the ice and reinjured my left shoulder (partial rotator cuff tear +40yrs ago) and my Dr. wants an MRI.  I am uncomfortable with the possibility of something going wrong.  I have adjusted to my PM and all the little things that caused me concern.  

I am interested in hearing any comments, good or bad from anyone who has had an MRI.  Thank you.

 

3 Comments

Welcome HAZLIZS

by IAN MC - 2023-06-15 11:40:10

So glad to hear that you have found the PM club resource to be helpful ; it is certainly good to realise that you are not alone !

In the early days of pacemakers doctors were reluctant to do M.R.I.s on pacemaker patients but now, as PM technology has improved it is becoming commonplace........but I can only speak for here in the UK.  As you have had your PM fitted fairly recently it will be " MRI -compatible" which means that an MRI scan will be a totally safe procedure providing certain steps are followed.

I have had 4 MRIs in the past 3 yrs and am still alive and well

It is essential that the radiologist liaises closely with your cardiology dept as your PM needs to be put in safe mode before the scan and then reset to your normal settings afterwards. A PM technician has always done this for me here in the UK

It really is a non-event, apart from the dreadful noise which is all part of the MRI process.

Best of  luck and let us know how you got on.

Ian

 

mri with pacemaker

by new to pace.... - 2023-06-15 12:48:05

Since your bio does not have where you live .  makes a difference on our answers to your query.

  In the US at least for me in Fl.  it is not hard to get one.  Generally because of your pacemaker.  Have it done at  a hospital radiology  setting.  First you have to have your cardiologist contact them saying it is ok.  This last time i had to fax my pacemaker card to them both sides.  Now instead of the pacemaker rep. present.  The MRI technician this time put the puck over my pacemaker and read what is storaged in my pacemaker.  It came up on her IPad.  Clicked put to sleep.  Than into the the machine where they attached that gadget that feels the heart beat.  After the MRI reversed again the puck over the pacemaker read into the IPad. Clicked wake up.  An i was good to go.   

new to pace

MRIs with pacemaker

by LondonAndy - 2023-06-18 18:37:13

Welcome, Hazlizs - another Brit here!

My most recent comment on here was on this very topic - see https://pacemakerclub.com/message/43224 or look for "MRI with MR conditional pacemakers", which was posted on the 13th May. Or if you use that little magnifying glass on the top right of the screen for "MRI" loads of posts will come up.

Basically, these days it's fine, but some radiologists may still be a bit cautious about doing them because of problems in the past. You will get asked lots of questions before they will do it, and always take your "pacemaker insertion information" with you just in case they haven't got it!

 

You know you're wired when...

You fondly named your implanted buddy.

Member Quotes

Since I got my pacemaker, I don't pass out anymore! That's a blessing in itself.