No sure what to do..

Since going to ER and now changing my mode and pacing lower heart at 100% - I am scheduled for my first check over the phone on Oct. 30th. I have only been back for one check up in person. Should I make another appointment in person or do the phone check? They changed the mode in ER a Medtronic tech. But I go to a device clinic 1 1/2 hours away and don't know will they have all the new information if i go ahead with the phone check or do I have to tell them or what? Still very new to this. Any suggestions? They would be very much appreciated.

cottontop

2 Comments

Thank you!

by cottontop - 2007-09-24 02:09:45

Smitty,
Thank you for the advice. I guess I did not think about the fact that they can't change it over the phone. I was told that is for diagnostic purposes only. Love the way you compare it to cruise control. More true than we know. HA! HA! Thanks again.

God bless you,
cottontop

No sure what to do

by SMITTY - 2007-09-24 11:09:58

Good Morning Cottontop,

If I understand what goes on with a telephone or in-person pacemaker checkup, the first step is to download the settings in the pacemaker. From that information they will know what you have and work from there. With telephone checkups no changes to the settings are made. I don't know if they can't do it, or if it is because the authorities will not allow over the phone changes. I have heard both ways on this.

In my seven years with a PM I've now had 14 telephone checkup (2 ea. year) and after one of them I was told to come in the next day so they could a more in depth checkup. That was about 5 years ago and I have no idea what that was all about now. Obviously it was not earth an earth shaking event.

So, if a phone checkup has been recommended I say go ahead with it and don't worry, they will know everything they need to know. Think of it this way, pacemakers are like cruise control on our vehicles. They will do what they have been set to do and will continue doing whatever at that rate until a change is made. And if you change drivers that new driver will know what those settings are before they make any changes.

Good luck,

Smitty

You know you're wired when...

The mortgage on your device is more than your house.

Member Quotes

I am just grateful to God that I lived long enough to have my ICD put in. So many people are not as lucky as us; even though we sometimes don't feel lucky.