My Medtronic Rep....Priceless!

Hi all,
I began this journey on October 1st last year having had a Medtronic Dual Lead PM placed rather unexpectedly as many of you have. From the beginning I felt lousy....with symptoms that were very much like what I thought PM Syndrome would feel like (after much Googling on the subject). I couldn't walk 50 steps before feeling short of breath, palpitations, irregular heart beats, hot flushes, etc. I repeatedly contacted my Dr.'s office and Nurses in the PM Clinic. Mind you, I was always pleasant, never whining, just insistent that "something wasn't right". I had event monitors, stress testing, echo's, and numerous "adjustments....mostly I continued to "feel" the PM working, and had an odd rhythm to my heart beat when I listened with my stethoscope..I am a nurse. I could tell I was being "labeled "an anxious patient" and was told "I would just have to get used to this". I decided to give my physician one more chance to get it right before seeking a second opinion.
At my last PM clinic appt. All checked out OK per the interrogation, but as I once more described how poorly I was feeling...they could offer no relief....then as an afterthought, my nurse remebered that the Medtronic rep was due in the next morning...would I want to meet with her? Of course I did!!!!
Well, folks, within 15 minutes of meeting Laurie, explaining my symptoms, and interrogating my PM again....She made a few adjustments. All I can say is....God bless Laurie from Metronic!!!!. Since that morning, I feel human again....I DON'T feel my PM working, my heart no longer has the gallup rhythm, I can climb stairs.....well, you get the picture. I feel good again.
The moral of this long story is....if you're having ongoing problems, perhaps your rep can help you too. Be persistent.
I intend to inform my doctor regarding this issue...I essentially spent 6 months feeling like my life was over, when I obviously did not have to.
Thanks to all who read my posts, offered encouragement, and taught me so much. What an awesome site this is.
Best wishes,
Carol

3 Comments

Good for the Rep!

by Swedeheart - 2008-04-01 11:04:05

Thank you for the great information! I am very glad the rep was able to help you so effortlessly! That is awesome! I hope you have emailed this information to Medtronic directly! Laurie deserves an "atta girl"!

At the heart clinic I go to, when we have pacemaker checkups, the Medtronic rep is always there... I just assumed that was the way it was.

Thanks again!

Swedeheart

Pacemaker reps

by ElectricFrank - 2008-04-01 11:04:18

Carol,
I'm glad you found what you needed. How about requesting a pre and post programming printout from the doctors office. Most states require that you be given the records if you request them. I would be very interested in knowing what was changed. It helps me in making suggestions here on the forum to others going through problems.

Feel free to contact me via a private message if you are more comfortable. Please be aware that if you don't want to do this it is OK with me.

By the way I had problems early on and found the Medtronic rep was very knowlegeable.

enjoy,
frank

Wow!

by Lou - 2008-04-02 03:04:01

I so appreciated your comments, Carol, particularly because I have felt lousy since the implantation of my dual lead Medtronics pacemaker in November of '06 with all of your symptoms and then some. Five or six different Medtronic Reps have come when called! But, in my hospital environment Reps can not change or tinker with any setting without the expressed instructions of the attending Electro-Physiologist. It's been 17 months of getting second, third and more opinions with no resolution. Sooooo, I am THRILLED for you and indeed Laurie's contribution was "priceless." My Best! Lou

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Do feel free to contact the manufacturer of your device. I have found them to be quite helpful when I have had questions and concerns.