Medtronic vs Boston Scientific

I feel your pain

by Theknotguy - 2019-03-21 21:27:52

I understand what you feel and why you feel that way.  I have a Medtronic Advisa and am very happy with it, but I don't do the type of exercising you do.  I also have run into a couple of situations where I needed the pacemaker to react and it didn't. 

I volunteer at a 1300 bed hospital and get to see the various manufacturer reps who come it.  Quite handy sometimes as they'll tell you about things being tested and what's in the offing.  Another good thing is you meet the reps for your device and you can ask them questions.  Since this is a large hospital you usually get the more experienced reps and they have some good information.  

So, even though you've ended up with the wrong style pacemaker there are things that can be done.  I'm not sure how you can go about it, but if you can find some of the more experienced Medtronic techs, they may be able to offer some suggestions.  I don't know if your EP will want you to work through him/her, but there are some changes that can be made.  I don't know if they will be enough but, at least, it may be better than you've got.  

Techs can't usually answer questions about you individually but they can answer questions about a text book situation.  "If you saw this situation in a medical text book, how would you answer it."  That gets them out of the "practicing medicine" situation.  Then you can request the EP to make the changes.  Like I said, maybe it won't be what you want, but it may be more helpful than what you've got.  

Sorry to hear things didn't turn out as you would have liked.  I hope they will be able to come up with some helpful solutions for you.  
 

Yeah, I have similar problems with my Medtronic

by AgentX86 - 2019-03-21 23:03:20

I walk a lot, so I know I'm in reasonable shape but there are situations where I can't get enough oxygen.  My PM doesn''t react to slight hills and I get winded easily in certain cirmumstances. Stairs are a problem too.  Two flights is about all I can do without really huffing and puffing.  Also, when I'm doing yard work, like spreading fertilized, I get very winded.  I have to do it Saturday and I'm dreading it immensely. 

I'e worked with the PM techs and they've made it better but these things can be made too sensitive, too.  They said they can tune it a lot of ways but it'll never be as good as the sinus node.

Medtronic PM for Athletes

by KonaLawrence - 2019-03-22 03:54:10

Hi Jwren,
I've been through the problems you're facing.  I turned 70 last November.  Got my Medtronics PM a year ago for SSS.   It took me 8 once-a-month adjustments to get  what I need.  I paddle outrigger canoe competitively.  Hard racing practice twice a week, routine workouts 5 times/week.  Races for 3 months in the summer.  In a canoe there's no lower body movement and limited upper body movement.  I've had the standard low/high rates changed to 55/145, the Rate Response turned on, the Rate Response Optimization turned off, and Sensitivity set to maximum.  It's not at all perfect.  When I walk to the bathroom in the middle of the night my heart rate goes to 90-95 (uncomfortable).  On the other hand, when I'm pushing at racing practice, I can stay in the 130-140 range for an hour.  Be patient, keep talking to the PM people, they can help, it just takes time.  
Cheers, Lawrence
PS I downloaded the Medtronics PM manual.  Reading the sections on Rate Response helped me know how to ask for adjustments.  
http://manuals.medtronic.com/content/dam/emanuals/crdm/CONTRIB_244793.pdf
 

Medtronic vs Boston Scientific

by randall - 2019-11-04 15:23:59

I am 78 years old and have a Boston Scientific CRT device. I have been competively swimming for 12 years.

In 2012, I swam in the Masters National swim meet in Omaha. The first day I swam in the 800 meter freestye. The secod day I was swimming the 200 meter  back stroke and with 15 meters to go I ran out of oxygen and went into Sudden Cardiac Arrest!

Within 15 seconds my device "fired" as programmed and I was breathing again. I resufaced and was reaching for the lane ropes before a lifeguard reached me!

Boston Scientific created a video of this event. You can see the video at:

Google - Jim Oster Swimmer

I am on my second Boston Scientific device and will need a new one next year. My device has noty been adjusted in over 5 years.

I have no pain - no worries

I don't even know its there.

Jim Oster

Boston Scientific vs Medtronics

by JWren - 2019-11-04 18:52:19

Jim

Thank you for your comment.  I did look up your video-pretty impressive.  I am doing OK with most activity.  I did a South to North rim to rim hike in Grand Canyon in late September.  21 miles, 9 hours 43 minutes.  Not bad at age 70 I think.  

I continue to be frustrated with swimming.  Coincidently-I think we would be in the same events.  My HR goes to a max of 110 in a pool.  I keep doing the same times.  I have not done sysematic resistance training since my surgery in December.  Now that winter is upon us, there may be less to do outside and I need to get back to some weights.  Maybe that will get me out of the swimming plateau.  I think I would have been better off with a BS device.