1st check up

I had my PM put in 8 days ago, and today I am having my 1st follow up check up. Can anyone tell me what to expect??? Also kinda nervous about the bandages coming off.

Thanks,
Debi

3 Comments

!st check up report

by djtirrell - 2011-10-11 03:10:49

Thank you for the comments...I had my 1st check up and Smitty, it went just as you said. Thankfully everything is good and on track. I will be going in for check ups 1x a moth for the 1st 3 months, then i will be doing checkups via a landline phone and PM machine they will be sending me.

I was nervous about taking off the bandages and was happily surprised to see it was not what i had thought it would look like :)

Nerves

by 28sedan - 2011-10-11 11:10:31

I expect everything will go very well. They like to look at the installation check to see its healing properly. You tell them how you feel and what your concerns are. I am 7 months now myself. Like they told me here hang in its better evry day. I was nervous when they took off my bandages and all is great. This is a life changeing improvement come back and let us know how you made out.

PM Checkup

by SMITTY - 2011-10-11 11:10:32

Hello Debi,

A pacemaker checkup is somewhat like an EKG. except the PM checkup is usually done while you are sitting in a recliner.

The technician will put 3 or 4 electrodes on your chest and then sit at a computer and put in various information on your PM. That may take from 5 to 10 minutes. Then a magnet is placed over the PM. With the magnet in place the PM is operating in magnet mode which is where it must be for changes to be made in settings. When the magnet is placed over the PM you may feel a change in your heart beat. This has never been uncomfortable for me, but just a change that is noticeable for a few seconds.

With the magnet in place any changes to your PM that are needed can be made. This part may takes another 5 to 15 minutes. After which the magnet and electrodes are removed.

This is the time I'll ask questions as I avoid doing that while the technician may be making changes I my PM settings. I want them to be able to give that part their undivided attention. At the end they usually make a hard copy of the data obtained and any changes they have made. I always ask for a copy of that printout. Not that at I will understand much of what I see there, but it is a very good place for me to refer to for asking questions. Also, on my printouts any changes made in settings are marked by (>).

The total time is usually less than 30 minutes.

Good luck,

Smitty

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The pacer systems are really very reliable. The main problem is the incompetent programming of them. If yours is working well for you, get on with life and enjoy it. You probably are more at risk of problems with a valve job than the pacer.