Hi there.  I am a new member although I did have my pacemaker fitted in 2009.

I have noted a number of comments regarding Travel Insurance. Last Year (December) I travel to New Zealand & back to the UK without problem. However, the holiday was shortened by insurance companies who refused insurance for a longer period than 31 days. It is now 2012 and once again I have been looking for travel insurance, (world wide multi trip). This year, to date, I have tried six separate companies who state they cover known medical conditions for persons up to the age of 75.  I am only 70, however, the minute I mention I have a pacemaker & and the word arrhythmia I am told sorry we cannot cover you.

The pa...

 

I'm rather newly inducted into the Pacemaker Club (13 Oct 2011) and I'm perking along just fine - however, that said, I am somewhat concerned about that shoulder-seatbelt crossing over my left shoulder. Worst case scenario, I get hit by something hard enough to put my seatbelt to work, it's surely going to do a job on my pacemaker. I've read about those fleecy thingys that are supposed to cushion the blow, but they're not going to prevent that constricted shoulderstrap from shoving my pacemaker across my chest and right down my throat. I see this as more a safety issue than one of discomfort.

When I Google the legality of lap seatbelts vs shoulder seatbelts, I get a host of different law interpretations from 50 States. Most...

 

Hi, got my pacemaker in September and flew commercial the first time after in November, 2011. I went through Memphis, TN, San Francisco, CA, and Redding, CA....all with no problems. I showed them my id card and asked for a patdown (In Memphis they told me I could go through scanner, but I refused)....They politely obliged and gave me the patdown. I found the patdowns were done with courtesy. No problem. Oh and by the way, my pacemaker was implanted because I fainted - no previously problems to my knowledge, and flatlined in the hospital a couple times....so it's a blessing......I am well, no problems and thankful daily for the inventor, who passed away in September, just after I received mine!

 

Airport security gets testy at times because I will not go thru the scanners, not ever the new ones. They try their dammest to get me to go but I refuse. In Europe they don't flinch when I say I must be patted down. They also ask for your card at times. Here in the states, have never been asked for the card.

 

G'day People!

I am about 1/2way through my first lot of traveling since being fitted with a PM about 4 months ago. Not only first travel but also an overseas trip with family so as you can imagine I had some worries about traveling with my little mate despite all my research (here and elsewhere) that it should be hassle free.

So far I have been through the following airports security checks: Adelaide(Australia) - domestic, Melbourne (Australia) - international, Los Angeles (USA) Terminal 2, Calgary (Canada) US departures. No problems at any of them. I do the usual remove all metal stuff (and shoes in the US) and just walk through the metal detector holding my PM card in my hand if needed. Never had a funny feeling (al...

 

Good Afternoon club members, Just wanted to give everyone an update on travel. Went thru all scanners perfectly well at Akron Canton Airport and Ft Lauderdale airports. Showed my card and they said they were PM safe so went through without a hitch. So anyways just wanted to share that bit of info for anyone who may have fears of traveling...have a great one.

 

to go thru the TSA airport scanners that use the body's "electromagnetic waves" ? We are getting some at the Anchorage airport & I'd like to use instead of the body pat- down but as 100% paced don't want to ruin my trip. Frank are you out there? Thanks, Janet

 

we're also going on a cruise, my first since the pacemaker.
I would be interested in hearing about people's cruise experiences.
Am still getting suddenly tired sometimes, but not like before the pacemaker. Should be okay, though...

 

Well the time has come and we pick up our rental car tomorrow to drive to Galveston on Sat. morning. We are leaving on a Caribbean cruise for 7 full days.

Question: Do I have to go through a search every time I leave the ship when we are in the different ports? I don't mind being "patted" down initially, but that gets very old after a time or two. I just want to forget about everything except having a relaxed time with my hubby and if I'm being patted down I would like it to be because that is what I wanted!

Anyway if anyone can bring me up to speed about getting on and off the ship I would appreciate it.
Thank you in advance,
Pacergirl

 

Hi Blake,

I am considering becoming a First Responder. If I am successful, I will be required to use an AED. I have a Pacemaker and wondered whether it would affect me at all. I know it's a stupid question, but my husband is worried.

 

After my yearly holter monitor test the cardiologist completely surprised me when he said I need a pacemaker....because in the 48 hour test my highest heartbeat was 88. Lowest was 53. During those 2 days I worked in my office a day and a half. (Obviously I sit most of the time).. I was so shocked and when they set my surgery date for Dec 2nd I'm really antsy. We are planning to spend the month of February in Florida (for the first time out of our office for a month) and now I'm afraid I'll be an invalid just snoozing in our RV for a month!

Also what if I have a problem or concern and have to go to a strange doc or hospital???? Wouldn't it be better to wait and have the pm placed after we get home from Fla??

...

 

Hi,I have just joined the pm club.Can anyone tell me if there is any way I can continue in my profession as a welder.I was fitted with a medtronic advisa dr or may be provisa cant read doctors writing.

 

Off to Mexico in a few weeks for a well deserved birthday treat. Can anyone tell me about the scanning procedures at Cancun?Also any tips on sun protection? Had my pacemaker fitted 27.10.2011 and skin is still quite tender.Have a long journey too all the way from Madrid! Thanks to you all for getting me through first few weeks. Its really helped , Ive reccomended this site to a few people. Gracias!

 

hi im 25 and had my pacemaker fitted 4 months ago. i have 2 very young children( my youngest only 11 months). i have been struggling to come to terms with the fact that i have had to have a PM, when i feel like my life is jt starting out, especially as there is no explanation wotsoeva as to y i have got a heart block, as there was no signs before last yr. i feel angry, frustrated and depressed. on top of this i have developed massive anxiety.i cant go newher on my own, especially unfamiliar places. i also feel tired alot but i suppose thats probably more due to the fact that im a busy mum! lol neway, i was thinking of looking for work (part-Time) but ive realised my anxiety is going to get the better of me at this moment in time. ( im ho...

 

If your seatbelt bothers you. You should def. look into the no-choke device. it keeps the belt off your neck area while driving or riding in your car and only costs a few $. the website is www.no-choke.com

 

Thank you all for your feedback.

 

I am a 60 year old male, have had pm 5 months now, I AM 100% dependent. I try to work and do things but am totally exhausted for 3or 4 days afterward is there anyone else that is totally dependent that has same problem? Settings have been changed several times seems to make no difference.

 

Hi all
Firstly,thank you so much for all your replies to my post on Sunday, about being "petrified" returning to work on Monday. You were all very helpful & gave me lots of encouragement.

I went back to work on Monday but was soon struggling to do my job. My manager made me work my full hours & I was expected to run around! I couldn't do it, it was way too much too soon. Yesterday I struggled even more! Today I saw the Occupational Health Consultant/Dr who said no way was I fit enough yet to do my full hours/duties.

I normally work daily, 8.30-2.30. The work Dr said he will only let me work 4 days a week, for 4 hours a day (8.30-12.30), for a month. I have to see him for further review then.

He said...

 

Hi everyone

With so many American & Canadian friends on here I thought I would ask for some advice - if you don't mind.

My hubby & I are seriously in to photography and on our "to do" list are the great parks. I will admit that my knowledge of American / Canadian geography is woeully lacking and I am just starting my research in to a possible photographic holiday next year. I know that here in the UK there are several companied that run coach trips across America but they always take you out during the day whereas as any of you in to photography will know that the best time to photograph is either early morning (yawn) or late evening. With this is mind we would prefer to either do this on our own or preferably a...

 

Just returned from a 5 week trip to Mongolia & China & wanted to let others know about how it went, with Gerry, my pacemaker.
Mongolia has very limited health care, I visited a couple of hospitals in the Gobi desert, with the charity I work with. The facilities are nothing like the Western facilities most of us are used to.
My cardiologist in Australia commented before I left for the trip, that if I had problems with my pacemaker, to get on a plane to China, or better still, home! Having seen for myself, I whole heartedly agree!
As someone who normally breezes through metal detectors at Australian airports, I decided to be a little more cautious on my trip.
There are metal detectors at Ulaan Baatar & at Dalanzadgad

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