the doctor

Hi everyone stupid question,do you think a doctor would change a setting on your pacemaker without telling you.Thank you.

5 Comments

Quesrion

by SMITTY - 2008-01-10 09:01:49

StoneFlyer,

There are no stupid questions asked here. We all learn from the questions and answers given.

Now I'll quit preaching and give my answer to your question, which is absolutely they will. At least they did on mine and the reason given when I learned of the changes was "we don't usually tell the patient because they probably wouldn't understand what all goes into making the decision to change a setting." While I couldn't argue with their reasoning I didn't like it and told them so. I now get a copy of the printout at each checkup so that I can compare the before and after.

My feeling is that it is my body, my heart and my pacemaker and I want to know what is or is not being done to it.

Smitty

Yes

by boatman50 - 2008-01-10 10:01:10

I think they would, especially if you don't ask questions. early on in my pm experience I was having some problems. In the clinic the doc would rush through tests and mutter things that I didn't understand or know to question. Thank goodness my wife was there to ask and get answers. 2 heads are better then one, and even if you are alone ask questions until you understand!
Boatman

Yes.... I do...

by pacergirl - 2008-01-10 10:01:18

You bet I know they do and I don't like it.

I ask questions while they are running the test and the tech gets a bit annoyed with me. So I explain that it is my heart they are messing with and I need to know.

Now when they are changing anything they tell me beforehand so I won't be talking while they are trying to do it... the adjustment. It is a trade off. I keep quite and they get to explain what they are doing.

I don't think it is too much to ask to get a simple explanation to a simple question. .... What are you going to do and how will it affect me? and then I smile. :-)

Take care, expect the best care possible and when you have questions.... ask! If you don't understand write it down and do some research. We are never too old to learn. This maybe a bit long winded.... so I hope you will forgive me. Of course this is just my way of handling this kind of situation.

pacergirl ;-)

So Ask!

by dward - 2008-01-10 11:01:35

I have learned that - if you let them know that you want to know, most will keep you informed.
In the shoprt time I have had my PM, I have noticed how many people don't ask questions.
Do not be afraid to ask questions - or tell them to let you know what changes they are making.
If you don't, they may very well take it that you don't want to know what changes they are making.

Agreed

by ela-girl - 2008-01-10 11:01:49

You can bet your patooty that they change settings without telling! I, too, ask for a copy of the report each time after the techs are done, and I let them know while they are hooking me up for the check that I want to look at the screen and know what they are doing and why and if there are going to be any changes. I think a lot of times they don't tell you because they don't think you want to know or care to know or why bother you with the info because you won't understand it anyways. You have to definitely make your wishes be heard and fight to learn...otherwise, you're just at the mercies of everyone else!

Happy pacing!
ela-girl

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Yesterday I moved to a new place in my mind and realized how bad I felt 'before' and the difference my pacemaker has made.