Landline (still) needed for monitoring...?

Hello. I've had a pacemaker most of my life and always used a land line and a corded phone to do my remote quarterly check-up, until I moved out of my parents' house. I was trying to avoid paying for a land line as I use my cell exclusively, so I asked the monitoring company if I could just put my cell phone in the cradle instead, and hey, it worked! Before I got my first of 2 new pacers last year (long story, but I still only have one) the techs told me they had a model that had wireless transmission capabilities and I could basically just set it up in my bedroom at night and it would collect and send what it needed, no phone line or "plug-in's" required. However, what I got was a box that has to physically be plugged into a land line (no more "cradle"), and an analog one at that. Even my place of work uses a fiber optic system and VOIP, except for the fax line, which is what I use now. The cord they gave me to connect the box to the line wouldn't work - the size of the jack on the phone line is different from the jack on the box...? When I asked the pacemaker techs about this they said they'd never heard of it before. Our IT person suggested the fax line.

I'm not entirely sure where I'm going with this...I'm a little sleep deprived...but is anyone else worried about the seeming scarcity of analog landlines, combined with the fact that monitoring technology seems to be going backwards? Are they working on this? I'm worried that if I change places of employment, move, etc. I won't ready access to a land line, and am not excited by the prospect of paying $30/month for something I'll use 4 times a year. I have an in-person appointment in about a month so I might bring this up if I remember. Can anyone enlighten me in this situation?

4 Comments

Going wireless

by ArchGirl09 - 2014-12-30 05:12:45

Is this what you're referring to? http://www.medtronic.com/for-healthcare-professionals/products-therapies/cardiac-rhythm/patient-management-carelink/medtronic-carelink-network-for-cardiac-device-patients/supported-devices/index.htm

I do have a Medtronic pacemaker (I had a St. Jude previously), but this is the box I have: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKlLz3uIvxk

I assumed this is just what works with my device, but maybe I can still use the wireless one instead? Would have been nice to have that option. My doc/hospital charges around $300 for each remote transmission...seems a bit ridiculous, but thankfully I have great insurance.

hello

by mytrose43 - 2014-12-30 08:12:36

Did you try plugging it into modem or cable box just a thought i have a cablle box that my phone runs off of no hardwire in wall at all ,,,,just a thought good luck

Phone

by ArchGirl09 - 2014-12-30 09:12:57

I think we would still need some type of phone service for that. We have a cable modem for our Internet, but it doesn't work as a phone line.

Interesting

by ArchGirl09 - 2014-12-31 11:12:17

Thanks for the info. I will definitely ask about it at my appointment next month.

You know you're wired when...

You fondly named your implanted buddy.

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