EnRhythm Check

This is my first post, so please excuse me if I am asking something that I am sure has been addressed many times before. I am a Florida resident but live in RI during the summer months. When I had my "incident" which required the implantation of the Medtronics EnRhythm pacer Model P1501DRID, I was in RI and subsequently used a Cardiologist who was on the faculty at Yale New Haven hospital, and had an office in RI.

Medtronics examines my pacemaker in my doctors office in RI. This year I will be staying in Florida well past the time I ordinarily get my pacer checked.

Is their a location in the Melbourne Florida area where I can have the bi-annual check performed? Will I need a Florida cardiologist, or can I work it through my normal cardiologist in RI? Thanks!

3 Comments

welcome!

by Tracey_E - 2009-09-20 03:09:44

It's good to have a cardiologist in both places. That way if something comes up you're not a new patient trying to get squeezed in but instead an established patient with records on file.

It shouldn't be hard to find one in Melbourne that does Medtronics visits. You could ask Medtronics for a list, or ask your dr in RI for a referral.

I'm two hours south of you in Jupiter :o)

Suggestion

by ElectricFrank - 2009-09-20 04:09:35

When you contact Medtronics or a cardiologist office ask if the use the Medtronics rep to do the checkups. My experience is that their reps are very knowledgeable and helpful. An E.P. also should be competent, but with them be sure the checkup will actually be done by the EP and not by a nurse or technician working for them.

While a cardiologist should be able to do checkups as well, as a group they are not very well trained on the electrical aspects of the heart. Their strong area is meds and surgery.

One last thing: you have had your pacemaker long enough to know when it feels right and if you have any issues that need to be addressed at the checkup. If all is well let the new person know you don't want any "creative" changes to the settings. This tends to happen with some docs. Ask for a copy of the pre and post checkup print oufor your records. In fact it would be a good idea to ask for one from the current facility to take with you.

enjoy Florida,

frank

new MD

by patpeter - 2009-09-20 06:09:49

What I would do is ask your doc who performed the surgery in RI who he may recommend in Florida. Especially if you had your surgery at at a Yale affiliated hospital they probably have connections all over the country because they are a teaching hospital. Hopefully they can suggest someone or at least help you find a new MD.
Another idea is to talk to the medtronics people and ask them who uses your device in Jupiter. They should know that info pretty readily I would think.
Also I assume you have a PCP in florida and that is always another way to get a referral....hope that helps a little. Good luck, you'll find someone.

You know you're wired when...

The mortgage on your device is more than your house.

Member Quotes

I have a well tuned pacer. I hardly know I have it. I am 76 year old, hike and camp alone in the desert. I have more energy than I have had in a long time. The only problem is my wife wants to have a knob installed so she can turn the pacer down.