Public places with landlines

I don't have a landline and my cellphone doesn't work for having my telephone checks. The person I usually go to to use her phone is out of town, and the church I used to go for when she isn't available said I can't use their phones anymore (after three times). The phone at my doctor's doesn't work with the 1-800 number. I tried to senior center today and their computers interfered with the reading. Library same problem.

Does anyone have any suggestions of where I might find suitable public phones to use? Or is there a cell phone that definitely works for these pacemaker checks? I'd be willing to change.

Baring that, I will have to go back to the hospital that put my pacemaker in. Local, more convenient hospitals were unwilling to let me use their phones.

Thanks for any suggestions!

8 Comments

It isn't easy

by Angrevwilliams - 2009-12-30 10:12:46

I too have this problem.... every 2 months to be exact! I haven't heard of a cell phone being able to do this..

Here's a few suggestions, I hope one works.

I used to work at a hotel, so I did it there. The problem I ran into was you had to dial a "9" to dial out... on the side of my machine (medtronic) there is a switch which allows you to put it on the 9 so it will dial the 9 before dialing out.... so try a local hotel, offer a few dollars for the phone call....

You could also try an Office Max, or Office Depot... they both offer faxing for a small fee... you could connect to the fax machine (works same way as the phone does) and can pay the same fee as sending a fax...

I hope one of these options works... you could always knock on neighbors doors to see who has a landline... doesn't seem like many people have one these days!

Good luck!
-Angie

Hi

by pacergirl - 2009-12-30 10:12:55

I have had this problem too. I have found that a cordless phone works ok. With that option I can move the phone check box away from the desk where the computer is and all is ok. I have had to ask the manager at a restaurant if I could hook up my port. ekg in his office and he said sure.... just leave the door open in case he needed something.
My cellphone won't work. The laptops interfere as well. A cordless handset phone works for me too. I find myself at odd places when I am suppose to be doing a phone check so I have learned to adapt. Meetings, restaurants and friends homes. The Sr. Center should have a phone that isn't next to a computer?

How about your local fire dept? I'm thinking that they might be able to help you out and you could make some new friends.... one never knows when you might need to call them. Of course some cookies might be a nice way to say thank you.

this is my 1st comment on here ever I am new

by 2Young4HeartSurgery21 - 2009-12-30 11:12:47

But I just want to add, I am supposed to be really careful, I'm 21 and this is my 3rd pacemaker (2Heart Surgerys) and I'm really prone to infection and have been on antibiotics for 2 years now, I have had seizures and strokes and the thing is, in the begininng I missed my checks and I haven't done one yet but have one coming up but I've learned a lot about it but I know they said to do it with a landline, that of course is the best way and the only way I know how to do a check, but the point is-as careful as the doctors are with me they said that its okay if I'm late doing the check, it doesn't have to be time I'm supposed to and that I can even do it the night before if I want to but I have a date set for pretty soon and I am pretty sure that its only needed 2 times a year. You have the appointments, what, every 6months(mines a little sooner but it will be soon he said that's what they're supposed to be) and you do the checks in between the office visits. So the way it sounded to me was that you are always having to find somewhere and I know that unless the doctor specifically says you have to check it this much then you only have to check it in between the 6 month period. Anyways, since I know that its very important to have a cell phone I understand , but there are plans that you can get (landline) for cheap I would try and check out the cheapest plan there is if you don't use or need one, because it will save you soo much time and gas (if you drive) trying to find somewhere to to check your pacemaker. Good luck to you!

landlines

by thomast - 2009-12-30 11:12:50

If it was me I would find a new church. I know if I had your problem and went to the the office at my church, there would be no problem.

Thomas

Answer

by bigbronc - 2009-12-31 05:12:05

Police station, Hospital, fire department etc?

;-)

by pacergirl - 2009-12-31 11:12:14

You bet, one day it will be you helping another new pacer friend.

Hope you have a great New Year's Eve and coming New Year too!

Pacergirl

Public places with landlines

by pacingwithme - 2009-12-31 11:12:42

Just wanted to say thank you all so much. You are all terrific and have given loads of helpful info. I feel relieved and hopeful.

Hope you have a great New Year's Eve and coming New Year!

Computer Interference

by ElectricFrank - 2009-12-31 12:12:35

I have a Medtronics Kappa 701 and use the Carelink phone check. As some of you know I have my own ECG I built to keep track of my pacer between checkups. It runs on either my desktop or laptop computers. I always hook up the ECG during a phone check so I can watch the Carelink go through it's tests. That means I am sitting within a few feet of the computer with the ECG leads attached to my chest. As an engineer I can tell you this is the most challenging situation yet I have never had a problem.

One thing to watch out for is that you have the magnet device directly over the pacemaker during the test. Having to do the test in a difficult location can lead to letting the magnet slip a bit. Also, try replacing the batteries in the phone check device. Don't depend on the battery warning light to be accurate.

Another helpful hint. On mine I can run the check somewhere away from the phone line and then immediately plug it into the phone. Mine stores the data during the test and then dials the phone line. Just be sure to hookup to the phone within a couple of minutes after finishing the test or the device will turn off.

Finally, call the pacer manufacturer and ask for help. They deal with this all the time.

frank

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