Elderly Mom and Cell Phone Usage

gadgets are fine

by Tracey_E - 2018-03-17 20:13:50

There is virtually nothing in the home that we need to beware of. Magnets are the issue, and they need to be strong enough to put it in test mode as well as close enough to do it (<6"). I talk holding my phone with my left shoulder, run with my ipod clipped over my pacer or my phone tucked in my sports bra, read in bed with my ipad (complete  with magnetic cover) propped on my chest. Most restrictions you read about are for older pacers. Newer ones are well shielded. 

If her rate is getting to 20, getting a pacer is not optional!! She's at risk of passing out. She will probably find she has a lot more energy with it, and it will be easier to treat the afib because they won't have to worry about the meds getting her rate dangerously low. Not treating the afib is not an option, puts her at risk of a stroke. 

Mom's gadgets

by LondonAndy - 2018-03-18 10:41:46

Her use of gadgets may be helpful in accepting the need for the device: it is just another gadget.  They insert over 300,000 of them every year, so it is a completely routine procedure.

Thank you!

by TrishATL - 2018-03-18 13:14:49

Thanks so much for the reassurance, everyone! So far I read about 'holding phones 6" away' and 'only using the opposite ear'. Honestly, I thought if my mom heard those things, she would say no way to the PM! 

So far, the Dr. has put her on Eliquis due to the AFIB and has receently upped her Atenolol to 50mg am and 50 mg pm. She has had two 24hr holter monitors since December and is due for her yearly echo the first of May. Two years ago it showed a leaky valve, but he said it was minor. In fact, he doesn't seem to get worked up about much of anything, LOL! Maybe that's a good thing in a cardiologist, maybe not...this is all new to us! 

Thanks again, and best wishes to all of you as well! 

Gadgets

by Jimmy Dinfla - 2018-03-18 22:11:30

Since you are developing a list of questions, you may want to find out the brand and model number of the potential PM.  Then go to the company's website and do some research.  Once she gets the PM it may come with an instruction manual (my ICD has a manual).  It is worth finding out what the manufacturer advises.

I researched several websites before getting my ICD.  Most were generic and potentially dated.  I used them to clarify things with my cardiologist before the implant.

I took care of my Mom for several years and keeping her active was so important.  So glad your Mom is active with her smartphone.

Welcome

by The real Patch - 2018-03-19 15:38:40

Welcome to the club, glad you joined and are actively looking for information to help your mom.

Many of the rules, or guidelines you'll hear are CYA (cover your assets) information provided by the manufacturers. They do everything they can to avoid lawsuits and over-react. Fact is the 6" rule is one of those. I use my cell and electronics all the time and in 11 years never had a problem even when laying the phone etc on my defibrillator.

Valve leakage is very common with age and until it begins to affect the performance of your heart they don't do anything, just monitor periodically. It's nothing to be concerned with.

Good luck to your mom, she should do well and feel better with a pacemaker.

transformers

by dwelch - 2018-03-29 04:02:48

magnets directly on the pacer will switch a relay that puts it in battery mode for phone tests primarily, for those of us without a beside thing and insurance that pays for phone checks.

Other than that high electromagnetic fields.  Basically if she were to climb a telephone pole and hug the transformer that could interfere with the pacer causing her to pass out which is a good thing as she would then not have the interference and the pacer returns to normal, but then you have to deal with the fall and hitting the ground.

Welding equipment is another issue so she might have to give up welding.

smart phones, electric toothbrushes, coffee makers, lawn mowers, hair dryers, televisions, microwave ovens, etc, etc, etc.  not a problem and yes many of these devices have pacemaker warnings, that is just legal fear/lawsuit avoidance from various vendors.

as far as getting the device, at her age the surgery may be the risk issue, the device it sounds like she should definitely get, more risk not having it than having it...and this isnt some open heart thing, the make a pocket near the shoulder, run some wires down a vein into the heart, all done from the pocket, put the device in and stich up the pocket.  so technically a heart procedure perhaps, but barely...