Travel international & Necessary Precautions

Wow! You're brave

by AgentX86 - 2020-06-16 18:02:12

Unless you realy need constant monitoring (ask your EP), I wouldn't bring my remote monitor down the street, much less on a vacation anywhere.  How would you connect (what sort of monitor).  Some recent "monitors" just use an app on your smart phone so, of course, you'd bring it along but for the old style, no, unless you need constant monitoring.

As far as lifting 40lbs, at 5mos, I'd think it would be fine but, again, ask your doctors.  The only restrictions I know of are for the first four to six weeks.  Snorkeling and swimming would be fine at this point.  Be real careful of saunas and hot tubs.  I'd say no to both.  Anyone with a heart condition is  very sensitive to heat stroke.  Hot tubs and saunas add heat to the body, which it can't shed.  This extra heat causes the capillaries next to the surface to dialate to try to shed the heat, which only picks up more heat.  It may not end well.  If you take up scuba diving, be sure you know what depth your PM is certified to and be sure to go no deeper. If you're stable and feeling well, I don't see any other problems (well, a virus or two might cause some grief).

Travelling with a pacemaker

by LondonAndy - 2020-06-16 18:19:30

I normally completely agree with AgentX86, so it is with some hesitation that I differ on one point at least, though his logic is sound: hot tubs.  I love them, and have spent upto 2 hours in them at a time!  However, the temperature of the water is clearly important, and those I have used have been 37C or less (99F) - ie about body temperature or lower - and I have felt comfortable.  I would certainly not feel comfortable much hotter.

I imagine that very powerful air jets might also be a concern if a hot tub has those - since many pacemakers sense vibration to determine whether to increase the beats per minute for exercising, a direct jet on the pacemaker might confuse it.

Remember to take your pacemaker ID (though I have never been asked for mine, and I also just go through the airport security arch along with other passengers - no issues) and also that you should not sunbathe the scar area for a year after surgery.

Hi Hollywood

by CyborgMike - 2020-06-16 19:24:17

At five months you should be close to fully healed. At this point, I'd trust your body to tell you what you can do. i do not know your specific condition, but I have done everything on your list a dozen times in the first year. I travel a lot.

Don't worry about your monitor. As others have said, it won't likely work in mexico (most use cell modems). When you get back it will sync up. I'm gone weeks at a time and it catches up eventually. I lift heavy luggage all the time, but if your left arm/shoulder are still sore then lift with your right. Your body will let you know. Snorkling and swimming is fine. I use a hot tub at least twice a week at home. Mine is set to 95 degrees. I had not considered this a risk, but each condition is different. When I get a massage I just have them avoid my right front pec/shoulder, otherwise everything else is the same. For me, the only off limits activity in Mexico is scuba diving. I've got an ICD (defibulator) and it wouldn't be good if it went off 50 feet below the surface. The same could be true for ocean swimming/snorkling, so I don't do it alone. It's not that you can't, but there is more risk if you do.

My biggest concern with your trip right now would be getting covid on the airplane -- not the PM. Mke sure you've got a good mask (I'd be in an N95) on the plane and have a great trip!

DO have fun!

by Tracey_E - 2020-06-16 20:05:21

Yes you can lift your bags, snorkel, swim, get a massage (tho avoid right on the pacer, ouch), you can even walk on through security at the airport. There aren't really any don't's other than don't let it keep you from having fun. I was nervous about my first international trip, also, but since then I've traveled all over and never once in 25+ years had a problem. 

Ask your doctor but mine said no need to take the monitor traveling.  

The pacer isn't a reason to avoid the sauna, but the underlying reason why you have it may make it a bad idea. If you feel bad, get out. 

Keep the scar covered or slather it with good sunscreen. Too much sun the first year will keep it from healing as pretty. 

travel

by islandgirl - 2020-06-16 20:39:04

Per my EP, I have always had to travel with my monitor.  We are all different. I plug mine in to an electrical outlet and it picks up available cell signals--I've been on the Mekong River and camping in the Sahara desert and it always seems to find a signal.  No cost to you....you've already paid for it LOL.  Go to the manufacturer's website and there should be information regarding international travel.  

My EP told me yesterday that I should wear a mask that has 2 valves, --the N95 has one valve.  He said they look 'dorky' but they are the best for protection.  He scolded me that I am not very protected wearing a buff.  You may want to invest in a good mask.  

As for SCUBA diving, check also with the manufacturer at the depth your PM is designed for.  If you're concerned about snorkeling, wear a BC so if you feel like you need help you can inflate it either by blowing into it or activating the CO2 cartridge.

Have a great time and you will soon not be apprehensive to travel!

Hot tubs

by AgentX86 - 2020-06-16 21:04:38

Let me clarify.  A hot tub at a temperature lower than body temperature isn't going to hurt anything (but 99F is hardly a bathing tub ;-).  Above that and you have to be very careful.  My unstated assumption was that on a vacation you don't have control over the temperature and hot tubs are often significantly hotter than 99F (more like 105 or even as high as 110).  There are regulations for this but we're talking about Mexico.

Be very careful and never go in alone. If blood pressure drops (as the surface vessels dilate) you may pass out.  The pressure will not come back up unless the body temperature returns to normal and you'll stew.

Traveling- Thank you all ❤️ for all your input and advice

by Hollywood106 - 2020-06-17 13:28:51

Thank you Agentx86, LondonAndy, CyborgMike, Tracey_E, Island girl. It helps a lot, all your input and advice were taken all in consideration. There’s still Covid around I know, but being by yourself, staying home since incision, mostly all the time so agonizing. My nearest family in CA, am in TN, no kids. Am glad I found this PM community, it really helps a lot.🙏 My scar turn blackish it’s white at first when it peels off; what’s the best cream for the scar? PM area still sensitive, sore to touch, is this common after 5 mos?  

creams

by Tracey_E - 2020-06-17 14:03:13

I asked a plastic surgeon what was best to use. She said she could sell me something expensive but anything that keeps it moisturized and is all natural will do the job, so vitamin e, aloe, cocoa butter are all fine as long as they're pure. She said it's not what we use, it's that we use something, and keep it out of the sun for the first year. 

It can take as long as a year to fully heal but it should soon be getting more numb. If it stays sensitive, ask about it. There are ointments that can help with that. 

no problem

by dwelch - 2020-06-20 01:20:50

33 years ago, I got my first device a few weeks after travelled overseas.  there were no take home boxes, none of that, I still dont have one, due to covid they said they sent me one, but it still isnt here yet.  First few devices didnt have any kind of mid year checks, you do not need your box with you.

COVID is by far the biggest concern.

Some places the metal detectors (you are actually fine going through, it just might set it off then you have to explain so might as well say it first and have them send you around or through the machine with your arms up).

I never hesitated to get in a hot tub, at the same time not generally my thing, so no fear there, any more than any one else, you feel overwhelmed.  get out.

Hopefully you have your card with you with the model number and such just in case you need to see someone and they need to know.  Granted if you know the brand you have they can pick the right machine to examine it with and then the device tells them everything including your name, etc...

Be safe, have fun, your pacemaker is not a concern

Traveling- Thank you Tracey_E, Dwelch

by Hollywood106 - 2020-06-20 13:40:22

Non essential travel been held back till further notice. My friend traveling to CA and domestics flights said “you are required to wear your mask inside the plane all the time” N95 is so tight mask” do you think those ordinary mask will do and just have plastic shield? Dorky looking but...

flying in a mask

by Tracey_E - 2020-06-21 10:17:05

I had to fly two weeks ago and a mask was required. I wore a surgical mask at the airport because it was easier to take off to eat and drink and it wasn't hard to keep my distance from others. For the flight, I wore an N95. Yes it's tight, but it's better protection and it has a valve when you exhale so it's not as hot and I found it more comfortable for long term wear once I got over being claustrophobic.  Even if it hadn't been more comfortable, I would have kept it on for the flight because even a half full flight with very conscientous crew and other passengers in a mask, I was closer to people than I felt comfortable with and it was a long flight. 

Everyone looks dorky ;o)  I saw a few people with shields, you wouldnt be the only one. The airline employees at the airport were all in shields, flight crew in masks.

But really, if you don't have to fly, I would not. I did not have a choice, my parents were moving cross country and were not physically capable of doing it alone. I won't be flying again any time soon if I can help it.