Merlin @ home transmitter

Merlin

by Tracey_E - 2024-11-15 19:11:45

It should be fine until next week! When in doubt call the after hours number. The interrogations are often not checked until office hours, and it may not even be set up to transmit yet. Mine only does it quarterly. 
 

did you try unplugging for 30 seconds then trying again?

Transmitter

by Man21 - 2024-11-15 19:22:55

Thank you for replying Tracey! 

I have unplugged it for a few minutes and tried to reset so many times.

The nurse took one monitor out of  a box and it didn't work and then got this unit we have now which seemed to work for her.  
She only set up the first part in the hospital and told us to continue setting up at home.

Merlin

by Tracey_E - 2024-11-15 19:57:57

Sounds like either you got a bad one or it's not set up properly. A weekend with no monitoring is no big deal. I'm on my 5th, the first 4 did not have monitoring. In a lot of countries it's not commonly used even when the manufacturer makes it available. Its nice to have, but has no impact on the pacer doing its job. 

Merlin

by Man21 - 2024-11-16 04:26:26

Thank you so much Tracey, you have really reassured me.  

Home monitor.

by piglet22 - 2024-11-16 05:50:31

A familiar story.

I got my Medtronic MyCareLink through the post. No input from the hospital whatsoever

It worked alright after going through the instructions, but some months later, it started throwing up error codes.

I phoned the pacing number and no help at all. I think that the home monitor stuff is farmed out to some other company I'm not sure if it was couldn't or wouldn't help. Closing the clinics definitely didn't help the mood music.

Eventually I phoned Medtronic in the Netherlands and after some tests, decided the monitor had had it.

They sent me a new one. When I asked the hospital what to do with the old one, they said just dispose of it.

Not good. The monitor has property of Medtronic on it. You see them on eBay at £8 brand new, unused.

I wouldn't worry about being offline for a day or two.

I found out that MCL monitors reboot every day and the display lights up at random times. It's testing and re-establishing the mobile connection.

As an experiment, I've had it turned off for about a week. If anyone actually notiices then they don't rush to tell you 

Home Monitor

by Man21 - 2024-11-16 06:44:25

Thank you Piglett22.

i am so thankful to be able to post my concerns on this group and get reassurance from you.

Hi

by Lavender - 2024-11-16 09:03:54

Congrats to your mom on her successful surgery! I know you were concerned about her shoulder and the placement. 

I have a Boston Scientific device and that came with a Latitude monitor which was sent home with me from the hospital. 

My doctor did not even turn it on for the first month. The doctor had to set it up with Boston Sci. There's a chance your dr hasn't yet set it up through the monitor company. 

In any case, that's not a problem. For a long while many people didn't even get monitors because of a shortage. no worries, please. 

Monitor

by Man21 - 2024-11-16 09:51:10

Thank you so much Lavender!

A lot of shoulder pain today, but hopefully the start of recovery.  
Best wishes!

Re-setting

by piglet22 - 2024-11-16 10:21:39

Re-setting any sort of device can clear problems.

The TV needs a reset now and again or the problems mount up.

Same with phones and computers. These two can run out of memory to operate correctly. Applications use up memory but don't always release it back when you close them.

Eventually, they just stop working.

Resetting isn't just about pulling the plug. Computers and other devices have a structured shut down process.

If there is one, use the reset button. Sometimes this is hard to find and can be no more than a small hole to poke a paper clip in, gently. Failure to do this can end up with corrupted files and memory.

If there's no option but to power down, do it at the wall socket rather than pull out a lead with a connector. Allow enough time for all the internal voltages to dissipate. Most devices have capacitors that can store energy for a long time. There might also be backup batteries involved. If accessible remove these as well. It usually doesn't apply to PM monitors, but my BP monitor has batteries as well as a mains adaptor.

I mentioned power cuts once before, and if that happens, you don't have any say in the matter. Investing in back up power supplies (UPS's Uninterruptable Power Supplies) can save a lot of grief.

One Christmas Day, just as me and the lady friend were about to have dinner, the power went. Fortunately I had installed an emergency light by the meter cupboard, so dinner was by LED, not around the table.

shoulder pain

by Tracey_E - 2024-11-16 13:58:20

Ice should help! And she should be using the arm, just not overhead and don't lift anything heavy. Other than that, it's important to use it so it doesn't freeze up. 

Shoulder pain

by Man21 - 2024-11-16 15:33:03

Thank you Tracey, I am over anxious for her at the moment that a lead will come out.  

try to relax

by new to pace.... - 2024-11-16 18:10:45

As you do not need to have your mum see you are worried for her.  A lead does not normally fall out.  It is good for her to keep moving her arm/ shoulder just not above her head or carry anything heavier than a couple of pounds.

Everyone who had one of these put in goes though the same thoughts/concerns.  We have all survived.

new to pace.

Leads

by Lavender - 2024-11-16 20:10:04

The leads are probably nothing to worry over. Rarely do they loosen up. We all were afraid of that and were cautious. Please make sure she stops wearing a sling. Too much inactivity in the shoulder can freeze it up. Have her use the arm just keep her elbow below the shoulder. Move it often. 

Thank you

by Man21 - 2024-11-17 04:37:02

Thank you for all your comments.  This group of people are amazing!