Wife had 3 rd pacemaker yesterday

[Oldme]

New technology is great.

The Wife had her 3rd Pacemeker (heart) put in yesterday with new leads and is home today.

The previous one only lasted 5 years and not 10 years due to the Heart Surgeon damaging a wire lead, when he replaced the Aortic Valve 2 years ago.

The worst part was waiting for the Pacemeker battery to get low enough for replacement. Insurance companies will not pay for replacement until the batter is about gone. That left her with little energy for the past 6 months.

Now most all checks will be done by telephone transmission and not in-office visits with the new model.

One more thing off the list.

[Scottiemom]

We full time and DH's Carelink device is wireless with its own built in modem.

When we are traveling and stopping in different places frequently, we don't turn it on. Only when we sit for several days.

With regard to using appliances, et. al., around your device, go here and download the chart. I keep it on my computer for easy reference.

Compatibility chart

Dale

[Bill___Barb]

Thanks for the replies. I had asked my doctor's office rep for a cell connection. I got the impression that the person I talked to really understood what I was requesting. It turns out that she did, the manufacturer didn't. They sent the wrong unit. They are sending the correct one and a pre-paid return label and have already made a formal apology. Wow!!! Everybody makes mistakes. How you deal with them separates the winners from the loosers.

[NEOK]

rwj146 wrote:

Bill & Barb wrote:
I just got my first pacemaker two weeks ago. I asked a person in the doctor's office how it is monitored. They ordered a device that I set on my night stand that communicates with the pacemaker every night while I sleep. The problem is that this thing needs to be connected to an old school analog phone line. I haven't had access to one of them in years. And of course, when we are on the road, it'd be difficult to do this.

I also see "hints" that being too close to the engine of an RV can cause problems with the pacemaker's signals to the heart. I'm in a Fleetwood Pace Arrow with ford F53 chassis. Does anyone have experience with that?

How have other people dealt with this? I can't believe that I'm breaking new ground here. My device is a Biotronik two chamber pacemaker.

Thanks for any info people can provide, Bill

Check with the maker and see if they have an adaptor for a cell phone. I have much the same device with my Medtronics and an adaptor that allows me to hook up.

Medtronic has a cell phone device available that I pay around $10 per month for the service. Works well with my pacemaker.

[rwj146]

Bill & Barb wrote:
I just got my first pacemaker two weeks ago. I asked a person in the doctor's office how it is monitored. They ordered a device that I set on my night stand that communicates with the pacemaker every night while I sleep. The problem is that this thing needs to be connected to an old school analog phone line. I haven't had access to one of them in years. And of course, when we are on the road, it'd be difficult to do this.

I also see "hints" that being too close to the engine of an RV can cause problems with the pacemaker's signals to the heart. I'm in a Fleetwood Pace Arrow with ford F53 chassis. Does anyone have experience with that?

How have other people dealt with this? I can't believe that I'm breaking new ground here. My device is a Biotronik two chamber pacemaker.

Thanks for any info people can provide, Bill

Check with the maker and see if they have an adaptor for a cell phone. I have much the same device with my Medtronics and an adaptor that allows me to hook up.

[ford_truck_guy]

Sorry -- Duplicate post

[ford_truck_guy]

Bill - -
Mine is a Medtronics.... I did not hear about being too close to the engine , but They DID tell me to stay 3' away from the battery..

Also , no more cell phone in the breast pocket if that's where you put yours...

I had to give my welder to my Brother-in law... A welder is a big no-no

They tell you to stay 24" from a working microwave.. I don't ..??

I was told no more electrical work ( did not do any anyway) if you receive a shock , it would-could short circuit your pacer..

Watch your Ipad case if it has the magnetic clamp... If your not paying attention and surfing the web in bed , a lot of times that clasp is on you chest at your pacer... also a big no-no...

Google the topic , you will find a ton of information...

I have had mine since November 27th 2012.. my new Birthday ! :B

[Bill___Barb]

I just got my first pacemaker two weeks ago. I asked a person in the doctor's office how it is monitored. They ordered a device that I set on my night stand that communicates with the pacemaker every night while I sleep. The problem is that this thing needs to be connected to an old school analog phone line. I haven't had access to one of them in years. And of course, when we are on the road, it'd be difficult to do this.

I also see "hints" that being too close to the engine of an RV can cause problems with the pacemaker's signals to the heart. I'm in a Fleetwood Pace Arrow with ford F53 chassis. Does anyone have experience with that?

How have other people dealt with this? I can't believe that I'm breaking new ground here. My device is a Biotronik two chamber pacemaker.

Thanks for any info people can provide, Bill

[TomB_]

Son of Norway wrote:
I am also on my 3rd pacemaker. It is nice to be alive.

Miles

It beats the alternative!!!:B

[Oldme]

Thank you for sharing your experiences.
It has been a long road for her.

1st Pacemaker was 10 years ago.
2nd one was 5 years ago.

Open heart surgery - aortic valve replacement 3 years ago.
That was when one of the wires were damaged.
Almost bleed to death because of blood thinner and a ER Dr. that just said
it is a "simple nose bleed", until I proved him wrong.
Then fluid on the lungs 3 times, which had to be drawn off.

In between the Pacemaker and surgery we found she is diabetic the hard way.
I took her to the ER and her blood sugar was over 1,000!
3 days in ICU and she was good.
A year of testing before that and no Dr. found it.
All new Doctors after that.

We are hoping that she will be on her feet again and able to go.
Thanks again for the encouragement. I have share it with her.

[Scottiemom]

DH is on his 4th. Just had a replacement in December 2014. His was only 4 years old and the battery ran out. This new one will be the same. His actually paces 100% of the time, so it doesn't last as long. He's not dependent upon it, however. He is subject to heart failure and both a-fib and v-tach, hence the 100% pacing. These new 3 lead devices have made a world of difference in him. He longer gets so tired or has "spells" like he did before. We are still religious about a low-salt diet (you DON'T want to deal with heart failure, trust me). And we walk for exercise and ride bikes.

BTW, if your wife's device is a Medtronic, check out their traveling site. Medtronic traveling. Since we didn't want to have to go back to Indiana in December for a replacement, the site helped us find a doctor in Houston who would change out the device. Easy peasy. We took our records in a week before, then had an appointment the following Monday. Doctor very nice. Did the swap the next day, had a followup two weeks later. We have decided since both DH's cardiologists are now gone, we are going to continue to see this new guy. We really liked him and he's young enough he won't retire (hopefully) on us!

We used to have to pay $11.43 a month for the Carelink device to send the info over the phone line. Now with the newer device, there is no charge since the hospital provides that or so we were told.

It is definitely better living through technology. While he has limitations and a multitude of things he can no longer do, the average person meeting him has no clue and as long as he listens to his body, he does extremely well.

So happy for us!

Dale

[Son_of_Norway]

I am also on my 3rd pacemaker. It is nice to be alive.

Miles

[ScottG]

Glad your brie is doing ok with her new pace maker.
It amazes me how they can keep up with a persons demand rather than just output the same signal all the time.
Amazing stuff.

[BourbonRam]

That will save on co- pays. Unless they charge them for phone service too. I have to go in for quarterly checks with co- pay.

[ford_truck_guy]

Oldme wrote:
New technology is great.

The Wife had her 3rd Pacemeker (heart) put in yesterday with new leads and is home today.

The previous one only lasted 5 years and not 10 years due to the Heart Surgeon damaging a wire lead, when he replaced the Aortic Valve 2 years ago.

The worst part was waiting for the Pacemeker battery to get low enough for replacement. Insurance companies will not pay for replacement until the batter is about gone. That left her with little energy for the past 6 months.

Now most all checks will be done by telephone transmission and not in-office visits with the new model.

One more thing off the list.

Glad to hear she hung in there until the new devise was implanted !!!

You will love the technology , every 3 months I sit on the bed , hold a mouse like devise to my pacemaker , hit a button and all the info is sent directly to the cardiologists.... Gotta love it!!

Good Luck to you and your wife!!!

Joe