Currently, I'm living in China, about 12 hours southwest of Beijing. Has anyone else been in a developing country for any length of time with a pacemaker? Ever since arriving here, I've had problems with it going off multiple times everyday, whereas at home I was only using it 1% of the time. Do you know what could be causing it to pace now? Will it hurt my heart or cause damage to the pacer with it pacing this often? My husband (who's back in the states) called my cardio doc and he said he had no idea and couldn't help me so far away. Help?! Thank you!

 

 

Hi Tracie
Can you please explain what you mean by “going off”?? I assume that you have a pacemaker rather than an icd? In which case you should not feel when it is pacing you; it should silently & painlessly fill in the missed beats. How do you know that you are pacing more than when you were back home?
Chrissie

 

Sorry I wasn't clear, yes I have a pacemaker, for a little over a year now. When I said "going off" I meant it was pacing. In the past, I could not feel it but now it feels the same as when I'm in the clinic being interrogated. I can feel it in my chest and it makes me cough.

 

I travel often in developing countries and always contact my pm manufacturer for a list of hospitals in the areas I'm going that are familiar with the pm. So far, I've experienced no problems that have required me to seek assistance. You may want to consider getting this information from your pm manufacturer (perhaps it would be easier for your husband to get the details as he is in the states) and then talk with a knowledgeable physician near you or within reasonable traveling distance.

 

Thanks, I did do that before leaving. The nearest hospitals (there are only 4 in the whole country) are 12-15 hours away, by train. Since I don't have access to a professional, I thought I would put it out there for anyone else who may have experienced this or who has done enough research to know whats going on.

 

Tracie, I fully understand the situation you are in. A couple of suggestions. (1) Post your inquiry here again with a different title (something specific about what's going on with the pacer). That might attract a reader who could give you useful information. (2) Check with the pm manufacturer. Someone there might be able and willing to answer a couple of your questions, such as whether the pacer would be damaged. They are pretty hardy, so I think you're OK there, but it would be nice to hear that from someone who knows. (3) Contact the nearest hospital on your list. Perhaps someone there would be willing to answer your questions by phone or could refer you to someone closer to where you live to see in person who might be helpful. Good luck!