Need to see Rep.

I had my ICD/Pacemaker put in March 2011, so not even a year yet. I have the device that sends in the info about my device to the Dr. Last time I did a scan my Dr called me and told me I needed to see the rep for St. Jude.

Since I live a few hours away I asked if I could get it the same day as my 6 month check up with my EP. Does that mean something may have been wrong with my last test or is it normal to have to see the rep? I am just curious as to why I would have to see the rep.

6 Comments

Need to see Rep

by SMITTY - 2012-01-01 08:01:46


Helo W,

As you know there is exactly one person that can tell you why he wants you to see the rep and that is the Dr. It is too bad he could not be considerate enough to let you in on his little secret since it is your heart and your PM.

I can only guess and my guess is the reason does not spell trouble for you or the PM. There are more than a thousand settings on a PM. Everything from the low setting which is BPM the PM will not let your heart rate go below, to the power settings of the electrical impulse from the PM to make your heart beat. It is possible a setting could be changed to make your PM work more efficiently or one could be changed, such as the power setting to extend the life of the battery. The list just goes on and on but the main thing is if you are feeling well, then I say don't be concerned.

The Dr just saying he wanted you to see the rep gives you good reason to tell that rep you want to know the what an why of everything he sees or changes. I have found some reps are kind of tight lipped and a few are willing to talk. If the one you get is tight lipped then put the squeeze on him to tell you exactly what is going on. Also at the end a PM checkup a hard copy of the initial settings and the final settings will be printed out. Get a copy of that print out. If you are like me you will not understand 99% of what you see at first but with a little research you can find out what each setting does.

Also any settings changes made will be marker by (>). On my checkup the changes are very few if any and I try to take a quick look at the printout to see if I see the indicator of a change in a setting and I can ask right what and why. But for now, let me repeat, don't be concerned.

As for your question "is it normal to have to see the rep" I have to say yes, but it varies with the Drs. I do a telephone check every six months and see a nurse/technician/rep (whomever is availabe) every 6 months and the Dr if need be.

Good luck,.

Smitty


Can you.......

by Pookie - 2012-01-01 09:01:47

call your doctor and ask why the rep wants to see you.

I would:)

Pookie

Thanks

by w3il3r01 - 2012-01-01 11:01:29

At this present moment I am kinda p/o at the Dr's staff because a few weeks ago I had to have my gallbladder removed and needed their okay before hand. I called 3x the week before my surgery and 2x the day before, they never returned my call even though i would tell the receptionist what i need then she would put me through to the medical assisant's voice mail. The good news they did surgery without the green light. So I really don't think it will do me any good to call them. I love the DR but he is in an office with several other dRs and the staff is kinda rude. I only check mine when i have issues. That day I checked it i was having some pretty bad chest pain. I am only 26 and have long qt syndrome so that is why i have an icd/pacemaker. It paces alot because I have the weird sensations in my chest from time to time and the Dr says it is from it pacing. The meds i take for the long qt syndrome slows my heart rate kinda low. I may call them. I have so much going on right now.

whoops

by walkerd - 2012-01-02 06:01:20

and on the note of not getting a why, was it your Doctor that you talked to or one of the office staff, if it was the doctor and he wouldnt tell you why on the phone then Id probably find another doctor, or I would keep calling the office until you were allowed to talk to him and ask oh you forgot to tell me why you wanted me to see the rep, it didnt register with me at the time and you forgot to tell me and see what he says then.

dave

I think

by walkerd - 2012-01-02 06:01:38

Id be finding me a new cardio doctor!!! Or ask him at your appointment why after calling the office the office staff demed it appropriate not to have someone return your call, it is possible that he or she doesnt know what is going on in thier office, lets face it that is why they hire office staff because they dont have time to deal with that aspect of the operation, they are there to work on hearts..I bet if you talk to your doc about it it wont happen again well not at least for awhile.

dave

the bad thing

by w3il3r01 - 2012-01-02 11:01:35

I already drive 2 and a half hours to another state to see the current dr. The other EP Dr is about 4- 5 hours away. I don't think it was the DR that didn't call me back. I think the nursing staff never talked to him or bothered to return my calls.
The thing with the rep is i did the check with the moniter thing, the next day a nurse called me and said for me to come in the day after i already had an appt to see the DR to see the rep. I finally got it on the same day but a few hours apart. I guess I should have asked her why i needed to see the rep but i figured something was up because the nurse the day before said if there was anything wrong they would call me. So i guess i will know when i go. I just hope it is nothing.

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker interferes with your electronic scale.

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I've seen many posts about people being concerned about exercise after having a device so thought I would let you know that yesterday I raced my first marathon since having my pacemaker fitted in fall 2004.