How soon did you see your doctor

I was just wondering how soon after you had your pacemaker put in did you see your doctor. I went this past Monday for a one week checkup, but only with the nurse. She looked at my incision and and explained how my monitoring system works and that was it. She didn't seem concerned that I have bronchitis.

I don't see my doctor until the end of January. Is this common? I figured he would want to see me a lot sooner than that.

Thanks,
Susan

3 Comments

Depends on how doc gets paid.

by ElectricFrank - 2008-12-04 01:12:22

The time until the first pacemaker checkup depends a lot on whether the doc gets paid separately for the checkup or if it is included in the implant fee. Unfortunately this is how many medical decisions are made.

In my case I had to request (firmly) that I have a checkup much sooner because the settings weren't very comfortable. I pushed the issue and got one in about two weeks.

A lot depends on how you are feeling. The bronchitis isn't likely related to pacer settings so this isn't a reason. You won't likely notice problems with settings until you get over the initial discomfort of the surgery and start to get more active. I was just one of those weirdos who started walking vigorously right after the implant so ran into upper HR limit issues.

Remember to get a copy of the pre and post checkup report at the first checkup. This is important.

frank

Post Implant

by PeggyR - 2008-12-04 10:12:22

My implant was 9/5/08 and my check up with the cardiologist was 2nd week in November, I was told he had nothing available in October. They did make an appt for me mid October with the PM Clinic technician. If I had any problems with PM I would have insisted on earlier appt, but all was fine. Maybe see your family doc for the bronchitis? My cardio doc doesn't really handle that type of thing.
Good luck, take care

Peggy

Follow up

by momoftwo - 2008-12-05 09:12:01

I want to thank everyone for their comments. I also wanted to let you know that I have already seen a doctor about the bronchitis. I had make pm put in on Nov. 24 and I went to the ER on Nov. 29. That's how I knew I had bronchitis. I wasn't going to take any chances.

As far as I know my pm is doing just fine. I still have pain and if I move my arm a lot it lets me know.

Once again, thanks for the comments.
Susan

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