Is my PM doing a daily test?

Hi,
I am a 33yr old male with a PM since 1 year for AV Block III. Other than that I am healthy as a mule. I have a Medtronic Adapta.

I have recently noticed that I feel my PM every day pretty much exactly around 8.22 in the morning. Is this just in my head or is the PM doing some daily functioning test? :-)

If so, what is the purpose of the daily test? I mean, if it wouldn't work, there is no alarm going off anyhow... so whats the point...?

thanks for any help.

Dave

4 Comments

Self Test

by Sue H. - 2011-09-27 08:09:00

Yes your pacer does a self check and how it's programmed will decide when it's done and how often. Next time you have your pacer checked by doctor/tech/or nurse ask to see the report. There will be a page that shows when pacer goes through its self test. I too have an Adapta and the page says "capture test frequency" and shows "day at rest". If I'm resting and pacer thinks I am, it will go through a self test. If I'm watching TV early evening sometimes and I'm sleepy all of a sudden I feel my heart speed up, slow down, etc.....so I think it's self testing. I had asked the same question months ago - why have the self test function and was told it shows and stores the data of any unusual cardiac activity, such as atrial fib episodes, tachycardia, etc. How well the leads are functioning, etc. When I went to Dr he had report in front of him from last test and he said that one of my leads was not at full capacity but still functioning well enough that they were leaving it alone...phew..(-: There might be more info I'm leaving out but I'm sure others might get on here and fill in the gaps. Sue

Dinner time for me

by TITLE - 2011-09-27 08:09:54

In the early weeks after receiving my PM I too noticed a funny feeling of pin pricks or tiny little fuzzy things going on and it happened always at 6:00 PM during dinner time.
My wife would look at me ask if I was ok and I'd giggle and tell her my friend was sending messages to me.
Some of the earlier comments I've heard from members is that doctors will tell you it's all in your head. I say not. Unless they have one, they'll never know.
These are the kind of events that make for good jokes about PM's.

Take care,
TITLE

Ask your doctor

by walkerd - 2011-09-29 07:09:13

From what Ive read and seen on here and my own experience they ussually have the unit do a self test while you are asleep. It could be that some doctors or eps are use different setting for when to do the self check, but like I said most are ussually set while you sleep. Tell your doctor or ep about the sensations you feel and ask when the self test times are set up in your pm and if it is self testing at that time ask why it cant be set for early am hours while you sleep.
Keep us updated
dave

Thanks!

by talldave - 2011-09-29 08:09:03

Thanks everyone for their advice!

I just wanted to know whether I was going crazy or whether it is actually possible that there is a self-test going on. :-)

Good to see that I a not crazy.

Thanks again,
Dave

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