pm and ambulances

i have a rather strange question but would be grateful for any thoughts. can being a passenger in an ambulance have any adverse effects on the pacemaker. i have recently been travelling as a passenger in a ambulance on a weekly basis accompanying my husband to hospital for his treatment. the round trip is three hours. when i get home im dizzy,lightheaded and feel as if im going to pass out this can last for 24-36 hoursand am fine again until next trip.
any ideas as to if symptoms could be related to ambulance and if so why as i didnt get the symptoms when we used to go by car
take care all

8 Comments

Good question

by admin - 2007-09-12 08:09:41

I'm not sure, but it may be possible that somehing in the ambulance is interfering with your device. I recommend you ask the attendants before traveling onboard again.

All the best to you and your husband.

Blake

Equipment or...?

by $6Mman - 2007-09-12 09:09:30

I agree with Blake that you need to find out about the equipment on the ambulance and your proximity to it. Just a quick question...are you sitting sideways through the ride? You can feel differently by the position, facing forward, facing backward and sideways. Just a thought! Hope it's nothing more serious than that! Be well!
~Adam

simple question

by jcp1968 - 2007-09-12 10:09:57

just joined and saw you post...are you spending the entire time at the hospital without food or drink ?? perhaps this could be causing the symptoms you describe.

Jp

Good point!

by auntiesamm - 2007-09-13 01:09:41

Hi Vicki -

Very good point about the fumes. I think these vehicles all burn diesel fuel which is absolutely noxious and will overcome a person. What one person doesn't think of another does. That is what is go great about this forum. We owe Blake so much for his development and maintenance of this website. He sure knew what he was doing when he put it together. I simply cannot imagine NOT having it...........

Sharon

Excellent Point!

by auntiesamm - 2007-09-13 02:09:14


JP asked a very significant question. Since you must be traveling both directions, after the trip to the medical center do you have these symptoms? Or, is it just after the ride back home - or 3 hours total on the road and maybe no food or beverages? If this is not the case I agree then that you need to investigate what kind of equipment onboard the ambulance could be effecting your PM. I would go to wherever these vehicles are kept and ask questions. Then check with the device manufacturer. I think the question about your position inside the ambulance is very interesting. This is something that never would occur to me! I marvel every day at the postings on here and the response of so many terrific people - all wanting to help each other. This is the greatest support system I could ever have with my PM. Let's hope you can figure out what is causing your symptoms and let us know. Take care of yourself, your husband and I ask God to bless and keep you both close to Him.
Sharon

Ambulance Fumes

by jcp1968 - 2007-09-13 09:09:50

I've been in MANY ambulances (ambuli ?) ;-)
over the past 20 years and very rarely have I noticed fumes and not at all in the past 5-10 years. The newer and most well maintained shouldn't have this problem. Asphyxiating the patients and EMT's is bad for business ;-)

Jp

Fumes?

by Vicki - 2007-09-13 12:09:33

Wonder if it could be from the fumes in the ambulance. I have only been in one, one time. The fumes were horrible. Made me sick. But doubt that this would leave you feeling poorly for 24-36 hours.

PM and Ambulance

by bjmcpherren - 2007-09-16 06:09:54

I have had many trips to the hospital via ambulance and have never experienced any symptoms from the ride. They have never removed or shut off any equipment (that I am aware of) due to my PM. Could the symptoms be caused from stress and anxiety?
bjmcpherren

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Member Quotes

I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for pacemakers. I've had mine for 35+ years. I was fainting all of the time and had flat-lined also. I feel very blessed to live in this time of technology.