holter monitor

I just received a pacemaker on Dec 2, 2010.  I just went to my follow up appt and they downloaded info from it.  Everything was fine at this visit.  I just came home today with a call from the cardiologist telling me they were sending me a 7 day holter monitor and a call from the monitor company telling me they shipped it today. The company wouldn’t give me any info and told me to just call my cardiologist. Before I freak out, is this typical to have to wear a holter 2 months after getting the pacemaker?  I just thought they would have given me a heads up at the doctor’s appt a couple of weeks ago if it were routine.

7 Comments

WHY?????

by donr - 2011-02-10 09:02:48

K: You'd better grab an A. G. Bell device, dial your cardio & start asking WHY??? He owes you an explanation. Otherwise it's gonna drive you nuts till you find out.

I don't know a single PM host who has been through that.

Personally, I'd find a new cardio - this one has the general sensitivity of a Great White shark on the hunt.

Don

Thanks

by Kristaow - 2011-02-10 09:02:53

It is driving me nuts. I called the monitor company. The first person I talked to said he had no info but he would connect me to another person who could tell my why the doc ordered it. She was very tight lipped and said there were some medical codes but I just needed to call my doc. Of course, his office was closed when I got the message. It is making me crazy. I'm calling first thing tomorrow. I just didn't know if they found something in the info they downloaded but that was 2 weeks ago. Why would he just order the monitor today (that is what the company told me). Guess I will get little sleep tonight. I hate this. But I hate the whole pace maker thing too. I don't want to get old and fall apart!! Sucks. Sorry to vent. Nobody I know really understands what I have been through.

WRONG!!!

by donr - 2011-02-10 10:02:09

Many of us understand. We've been through it. That doesn't make it any easier for you, however. You are doing the right thing, aggressively following it up.

Go ahead & vent if it makes you feel better.

You have survived two weeks - you can make it another night - won't be easy! At least it didn't happen on a Friday night!

Don

I agreee with all the comments above.

by janetinak - 2011-02-11 01:02:23

It may be someting minor or a rountine that the Dr does for everybody but I believe they should have warned you at the apt what to expect.

As to your question about has any one worn a holter monitor after a PM. I did at least twice after my 1st PM insertion. They were having a lot of problems adjusting the PM & I had a few strange "feelings" episodes.They were able to better adjust the PM after I wore the monitor & the epidodes went away. But that was obvious reason to wear one. Wish they had told you in advance what was going on. Hopefully all will be well. Let us know.

Janet

Still waiting

by Kristaow - 2011-02-11 05:02:10

Well, it's 4:00 pm and I'm still waiting for a return call from the doc. I finally couldn't wait any longer and called them back only to be told they would call and talk to me after this chick gets out of clinics. Apparently she is the one with the info. Grrrrr. I'm not a patient person in the best of circumstances. This is driving me nuts and, of course, allows my mind to think of all sorts of terrible things. The past 2 months have been stressful enough. I'm hoping for some peace and quiet after this.

Not unusual

by Sue H. - 2011-02-11 06:02:59

to wear a Holter Monitor or Cardionet after a pacer implant. I wore a Cardionet device for 3 weeks after my pacer implant and the information they got off that device did help them adjust my pacer since the Cardionet gave them a clear picture of what my heart was doing during the three week period. Hope you hear from your doctor and he tells you why they want you to wear it. Just sending it with no explanation is unacceptable. Next time you sit down with him tell him you need to know everything and would appreciate his telling you. Good luck.... Magster

Mystery solved

by Kristaow - 2011-02-17 11:02:13

Well, the doc office FINALLY called back and said I should not wear the holter. It was a mistake. They were very apologetic. The only thing they can think of was that there was some confusion with me getting the call in box (I'm not sure what it is called). I'm so glad there was nothing wrong.

Do you all know/feel when your PM kicks on? I have had one episode where I started feeling weak but it passed. It was similar to the feeling I would get before passing out. That is the only time I suspect it kicked on.

You know you're wired when...

You can finally prove that you have a heart.

Member Quotes

In fact after the final "tweaks" of my pacemaker programming at the one year check up it is working so well that I forget I have it.