Daily Self check

ICD Home Monitoring Test

by Lurch - 2016-09-12 15:12:17

Mine seems to occur at 1:51am nightly, based on the reports provided to my Device Nurse.  I was told that it is based on the serial number of your unit.

Nightly Device Check

by FaithGrace - 2016-09-12 16:56:34

I don't know what time mine is set to do the check.  I'm curious how you know?  Do you wake you when it does the check?  If so, what does it feel like?  I'm new to this....

Device Checks

by Lurch - 2016-09-12 18:19:04

My first week after my implant I woke up one night at around 2:00am with a very strange feeling in my chest.  Now, remember, I had just had wires shoved into my heart and a metal box implanted in my chest, so I was a little concerned about this strange feeling.  

By the time I was awake enough to try to figure out what I was experiencing, the feeling was gone.

The next week I was scheduled for my very first interrogation.  The Device Nurse was running through the tests, and all of the sudden, there was that strange feeling I had experienced the other night!!!  I asked her about it and she explained that she was testing the pacing portion of my device and my leads by "racing my heart" a little.  I told her about my experience with being awakened and she told me that my device was scheduled to "phone home" every night at 1:51am and report how it was doing.  If anything is out of the preset ranges, she receives a text message and an email providing her with the information.  The tests that it runs through include a weekly test of the pacing function.  She changed it to test quarterly and I haven't noticed it since.

At your next interrogation, ask the Tech to pace you so you will know what it feels like.  It doesn't hurt, just a strange tinging feeling in your chest. 

Your device is probably also set to "phone home" if any actions are taken by it.  I got up from the kitchen table one day after lunch and got very dizzy and weak.  I leaned against the refrigerator for about 30 seconds and everything was fine.  I was tired so I went back to lay down for awhile (another perk of being retired!).  About 60 minutes later my Cardiologist's office was calling me to ask if everything was OK.  My device had transmitted when I went into the bedroom (where I keep the home monitoring equipment).  Biotronik had sent my Device Nurse a text telling her that I had been paced out of V-Tach.  I had not felt the pacing, but certainly did feel the V-Tach.

Amazing what these things can do!  Don't be afraid to ask your Doctor and Device Tech questions about your device, what it can do, how your device is set, etc.  Remember, your medical team works for you, not the other way around!.

Daily self check

by Pastorm - 2016-09-12 21:13:26

I have a Biotronik Eluna with two leads. I have a Monitor on the night stand. At first I was worried it would go off and make noise so I would run and jump into bed just past it! When I told the doctor he cracked Up! I have never felt anything when they check the device! I don't even know what time they do it! I don't know what model You have but I think what you describe is normal for Your Unit!   Pastor Mike