Good Afternoon,

Are there any Expatriats who had an ICD implant in the U.S. and later moved to live in another country?

I've had a CRT-D since December 9th of last year and intend to visit an old service buddy who lives in the Phillipines. He's been there 7 years and says he loves it. Not an option for me as the heat and humidity would be way too intense.

I'm a little concerned about travelling that far, but my Cardiologist and EP say to live my life and do it...step by step.

Any comments regarding long distance travel?

Thanks!

Ron

 

 

Hi Ron -
I lived/traveled outside the US to China. I went for 3 months. Although I had a problem with my pacemaker due to extraneous electricity (the electricity in the rural area I lived interfered with the pacing), I am slated to go back in 2 years. Turns out the interference only wore down my battery, wasn't hurting me at all.
So, with that in my back pocket, I have to tell you to go for it with all certainty! Check the manufacturer of your ICD, find where the nearest facility is with ability to care for you JUST IN CASE. Better to be safe than sorry.
Let us know what you do, then how it goes!

Tracie

 

We've always been big planners. We are planning a cruise for next summer. I'm taking out travel insurance that covers pre-existing conditions and if I have a problem then I'll just have to fly back here. I don't want to say that I can't ever do anything else. By then, who knows, I might even be feeling better than I do now! I say go for it. My Dad and Mom traveled with heart problems and I'm so glad they had all the good times and the great memories. P.S. check with PM company.

 

When we were planning a trip to Costa Rica last summer, my EP also encouraged me to really live my life, take reasonable precautions but not limit myself unnecessarily. I did get travel insurance that covered medical evacuation, but on the trip I did all the hiking, white-water rafting and zip lining everyone else did and had a blast. I'm glad I didn't let anxiety get the better of me. It sounds like your doctors are comfortable with you going so I say do your homework and then enjoy seeing your buddy!

 

Also wanted to say that a recent visit to our local courthouse gave me a new prospective on "availability" with my healhcare "team." I had to step through their metal detector. I had my card out, told them I had a defib and PM and they said I had to go through and it wouldn't hurt me. Long story but they refused anything but me going through. Got home and called the Tech with my EP's office and got voicemail. Left message to please call me. Tried to reach Medtronic...said call 911 or leave message. Tried o call Doctor's office and got answering service who said, if it's an emergency call 911. Today, it has been 9 days since this happened and the Tech has not returned my phone call. My message said I had just had a little scare, and asked him to call. No response. It has made me feel pretty safe going places to know that I can just as easily get ignored from far away as I can get ignored from 10 minutes away. Luckily, I don't seem to have had any adverse effects but I had thought they might want to at least check it out to make sure.....I think I can go to a local ER when on vacation and get a better response if I'm having a problem. Maybe they would at least get a call back from Medtronic or the EP tech.

 

Thanks alot for all the feedback you guys! These were the responses I was hoping to hear. Best of everything to all of you.

Stay Healthy!

Ron