My Mother-In-Law is scared.

I'm wanting to ask quetions for my Mother In-Law. She needs a pacemaker right away. The doctor here, in Canada, have her on a waiting list for 2 years. We are wondering if there is somewhere, where she can go to get it done sooner.?

15 Comments

Washington State

by rendyroo - 2008-08-21 11:08:23

Hello,
I am in Yakima Washington. When I needed one I was put in the hospital while the arrangements were made and had it put in in about a week.
I was diagnosed with cardiomyopothy and chf at Virginal Mason in Seattle. They have a great staff and are on the ball.
You might check them out? I don't know where in Canada you are, but if you're by our border it should be a couple day event?.... Hope that helps?
rendyroo

Shocked!!

by dw5281 - 2008-08-22 02:08:13

I am really shocked! I've just been telling my boyfriend - i cant believe it! I was told i needed one & a day later I had it put in! Surely if you need one you need it now! If they can say 'we think you need a pacemaker but we'll wait awhile' then you cant need one! I live in the UK & my treatment was excellent & super quick!

WAITING

by pete - 2008-08-22 03:08:39

No one in the western world should be kept waiting for a pacemaker. Are you telling us that she was actually put on a "waiting list" in Canada? You can post a reply by adding a message to your own post. I worked out in 2003 that I needed a pacemaker. It was written in my medical file "To be considered for an AV node ablation and a pacemaker". In other words they knew I needed a pacemaker but did nothing about it and did not tell me.
It was not until 2007 that I got one. This was very nearly the end of me, it was a miracle I survived. By 2007 I had even worked out myself exactly what treatment and pacemaker type I needed. Here in the UK there seems to be a "FIREFIGHTING" attitude with pacemaker patients. Its also a postcode lottery as we refer to it in the UK. I heard only 2 days ago that my mother's ex gardiner who had been told by his specialist that he needed a pacemaker but never got one, died of heart failure on 18th August aged 83. Although being told he needed a pacemaker he was never even put on a waiting list. If I were you I would try to put the hospital under pressure. Surely you have a complaints sytem in your hospitals?
I too, had cardiomyopathy and CHF so I fully understand what its like. Cheers pete

I am shocked, too!

by chillks - 2008-08-22 03:08:40

Just can't believe she would have to wait that long...I got a call at 6:00 p,m. that they needed to implant a pacemaker and to be at hospital at 8 am to get it! If I were you I would all and see what it going on and why the wait...I, too, think maybe they meant she might need a pacemaker down the road. If she needs it now., there is just no excuse to not get if implanted immediately. Good luck and keep us posted.

Waiting for pacemaker X 2 years...

by Bionic Beat - 2008-08-22 04:08:31

I agree with what others have posted, must be a misunderstanding or it'd be done right away.

I was in a dreadful state but "stable", my EP Guy put it into the computer as "Urgent" and it gave a date 6 weeks later.

I was at Torontos' largest Cardiac Centre, they were chock-a-block with "Emergent" so I had the wait of a few weeks.

If a patient is "unstable", it's done right away.

I was told 30 years ago, that by the time I needed one, they'd be much more sophisticatd, so I'd heard that I'd probably need one but wasn't waiting 30 years!!

Double check and please let us know. Thanks.


Bionic Beat

thor

by jessie - 2008-08-22 07:08:16

i would like to know where you are in canada? i know the maller places on the east coast arevery short of doctors. we live on the u.s. border in a small town of 11,000 people. i got my trmporary one immediately in e.r. spent the night in icu and then travelled by ambulance to london's university hospital with a nurse to get the permament dual p.m. immediately i had help i wqas told i was a walking dead man or woman lol this is life threatening so why are you waiting? i also had chf

appalled

by Tracey_E - 2008-08-22 09:08:34

I'm astounded that she would have to wait so long! There are no waits in general in the US, you just make an appointment with the surgeon and pick a time to do it. At least, that's been my experience.

The issue leaving Canada would be the cost. My last one was $40,000 USD, thankfully my insurance paid most of it. I don't know much about how medical care works in Canada. If you leave the country, will they pay any of it?

Shocked at 2 year waiting list!!

by Loopy Lou - 2008-08-22 09:08:39

I am really shocked that you mum is on the waiting list for 2 years? Are you sure???

Here in Poole, Dorset UK the waiting list is 3 weeks max. I know in different areas in the UK it is different. See Petes' posting. I was very lucky and had my PM within 2 weeks. Before that 2 weeks - I didn't even know I was ill!

Please double check - and push the doctors..... keep us posted in here... Love to your Mum.

Best of luck - Loopy Lou xx

waiting

by TOGUY - 2008-08-22 09:08:44

I wonder where in Canada are You.I passed out on a treadmill, the emerg. doctor got me a heart holter when it was read I had heart block was sent to the PM clinic and was in surgery the next week.My story is not unusual perhaps the doctors want to try other methods of treatment for your mother in law. I live in Toronto and there is no waiting list here. Maybe another doctor is in order.
If your mother needs a Pm there should be not waiting.
Take action and let us know what happens.

Thor

by Cycledoc - 2008-08-22 10:08:00

Who is thor?
From member list:
Implant year 1950
Birth date 1878

No symptoms, no diagnosis in post. A 2 year wait?

Thor please clarify? If real pacemaker issue consider getting consult in Vancouver.

I look forward to clarification.

PM and waiting period

by maryanne - 2008-08-22 11:08:12

I am having difficulties understanding this. I too live in Canada and work as a Critical Care nurse. I have never seen or heard of anyone waiting that length of time that truly needs a PM. I am curious if the doctor might have said something along the lines "....you might need a pacemaker down the road" Is your mom symptomatic? Is she having frequent episodes of syncope, nausea, fainting or blacking out? If she is then I truly find it hard to believe she was told to wait. IF she is symptomatic take her to the ER and they will hook her up to the monitor, if her heart is acting up they will treat it. I have had many patients who have had intermittent episodes but have just waited to see if things got worse....If a PM is truly needed like I said I have NEVER heard of anyone waiting that peiod of time. But if it is true and your mom is symptomatic, might I suggest you write your local paper and contact you MLA I am sure she would get moved up the line faster.

I would really like more information on this. Where do you live? I live in British Columbia.

As cycledoc said Clarification please.

Waiting in Canada-I don't think so!!!!!!!!!!!

by GrandmaD - 2008-08-22 12:08:46

As another resident of Canada, I have trouble understanding this. If it is needed right away, then you need to push to have the procedure done "right away". There is no such thing as a waiting perion for lifesaving procedures, don't let them tell you otherwise. If there is a misunderstnding, and she was told she may need one in a couple of years, she need not worry. When it does happen, it is a relatively simple procedure and she will be much better when it is all over.Please have her go back and have someone with her to make sure everything is clear, and push for action.
Best of luck to her and you.She needs all our support, and we are here for her just like you are.

Wait...

by heckboy - 2008-08-23 11:08:35

So the socialized medical system in Canada decides for you when you "need" your surgery? That is horrible...if you can afford it, come to the US, find a surgeon and schedule your surgery when you want it.

My Mother-In-Law

by thor - 2008-08-23 11:08:59

Thank you so much for all of your comments. My mom is located in Courtenay, BC. I will definatly talk to my mom and ask all of the quesions you have asked me.

I do know for sure that she is on a waiting list and was told that she WILL be waiting 18 months, she is very scared. I appreciate everyone's concern. Thank you so much. I'll keep you posted.

Pulling our leg?

by auntiesamm - 2008-08-23 12:08:25

Hello Thor,

Reading through all the previous comments from our Canadian friends I just have to ask: are you pulling our leg? This is a serious issue and I hope you are being sincere. Perhaps your M-I-L have been misinformed or wasn't clear on what she was told. Have you tried to check this out yourself? If what you say is all true, please let Michael Moore know since he seems to think Canadian healthcare is great and the US healthcare should model after Canada. If the facts are correct as you stated I hope you can help your M-I-L make her way through the system and get a pacemaker ASAP!

Sharon

You know you're wired when...

Your kids call you Cyborg.

Member Quotes

I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for pacemakers. I've had mine for 35+ years. I was fainting all of the time and had flat-lined also. I feel very blessed to live in this time of technology.