I searched on the term "Seat Belts" and came up with a lot of discussion on the topic. Mostly related to irritation from the shoulder belt and how to deal with it (e.g., with a foam pad, putting the shoulder belt under the arm, etc), and some posts related to injury or displacement of the pacemaker caused by a sudden stop or accident. I just took a long automobile trip. I'm not bothered much by irritation, but I got thinking that if I was in an accident it seems to me that (1) at a minimum the pacemaker site is going to be extremely sore, (2) I might be lucky if the site does not require surgery due to disconnected or broken leads or pacemaker displacement. I'm wondering whether anyone might have any idea how expensive or detailed it m...

 

Got my PM implanted two weeks ago and I plan on returning to law enforcement full duty mid to late Sept. Any advise on protecting the pm during physical encounters ?

 

G'day!
It's been a long time since I posted anything..looking back, it was almost a year ago, I was about to climb Queensland's highest mountain to raise money for a water well in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia.
I had Gerry, my pacemaker inserted 3 years ago for sick sinus syndrome. Life has never been more exciting!
Well (forgive the pun!) I did it...and it was the hardest thing I have ever done...taking 18 hours ( 6 hours of which were in the dark) and over 200 leeches hitching a ride! BUT I raised $3000 AND next week my husband, 2 children and I leave for a trip to Mongolia to visit that well. Not to mention, also visiting and distributing to orphanages and villages the 12,000 blankets we helped collect and sent from Australia...

 

My husband and I are going to Grenada next Friday in 9 days. I haven't gone through customs since 1994 when I went to Mexico City. I was with a whole bunch of people. I think it was a total of 12 of us. I can't find my ID Card saying that I have a PM. So I contacted Medtronic. How do I know that they have the right information? I did find my old ID from my last PM. That won't work, will it? We are flying from Colorado Spring to Dallas to Miami to Grenada. We are starting at 6AM and getting there at 8PM that night. It will be a long day, Has anybody been there? I am getting anxious and nervous all at the same time. It has been 4 years since I last flew in a commercial airplane. Anybody have any suggestions I would really apprec...

 

My husband and I are planning to visit his brother, wife and kids in Avon, Colorado (we are traveling by car from Chicago, IL) and I am wondering can the higher elevations affect our pacemakers like scuba diving can? I have a call into the nurses office for my cardiologist but what was wondering if anyone has had an issue with this before that can maybe give me some advice. I would hate to drive all the way (17 hours without traffic or stopping) to find out that I shouldn't be there and to have to drive back earlier than what we wanted.

 

Hi everyone,

I'm at an age where I'm thinking about university and what courses I should take. My big interest is health care from doing radiology and oncology to doing medicine or nursing. I was just wondering if anyone knew any professions that are not really possible with a duel chamber pacemaker before I set myself up for doing them.

Thanks
Charli-Lou

 

I walked through an airport scanner Saturday with no effects.
It didn't set off the alarm and I didn't feel any effect. It was the old type. Does anyone know if it's safe and has anyone gone through the newer x-Ray scanners?

 

hi all, is there anyone who would like to share news about how they enjoyed their cruise?

We are planning a holiday (Christmas) cruise to the Caribbean and I was thinking about if I might have any trouble with the "MERLIN" or should I just plan on leaving it at home!

I am not worried about cruising with a pacemaker, but I have a few questions about the monitor. My hubby will also be cruising with me. :-D We will be leaving from Galveston, TX for the warmer weather in Dec.

Thanks in advance,
Pacergirl

 

Hi & hope everyone is having a great weekend!

I have a general question regarding health insurance. I am considering a job change. I am uneducated when it comes to health plans. I interviewing with a large national company. Has anyone experienced issues with changing jobs and not being able to qualify for coverage due to their PM? Since I don't plan to discuss my PM with the hiring manager, and I probably would not have access to their summary plan description until after I accept the position (if offered), I was hoping we have a member that may work in the industry or have experience.

My first thought would be that this shouldn't be an issue but with medical insurance I guess anything is possible :)

T...

 

I flew on a commercial flight since my open heart surgery. The moment I gave the airport security attendant my PM card I began to cry....I wasn't expecting it. BAM.....It felt like post traumatic stress syndrome....and everytime I think of it or share the experience with someone (only two people) I begin to feel the same way I did at the airport. Then I switch planes in Texas and begin to cry again....I've been so strong the last six months and it seems like an emotional dam has sprung. An comments are appreciated.

 

I received my pacemaker on June the 20th 2011. Being a retired veteran I find it necessary to travel at length to receive medical care at a VA Facility. In doing this traveling I am finding the seatbelt to be extremely uncomfortable and even irritating.

I have worn a seatbelt for many years so I am not new to that feeling.

Are there any products one can use to lessen this pain? Are there any that should be absolutely avoided?


Thanks,
Dave H...

 

I am due to have a pacemaker fitted next week but I have a holiday booked for the 7th August, will I be able to fly that soon?

 

I'm 24 and have a pacemaker, have done for 12 years. Recently I went on a trip to the US, Canada and Cuba. Whenever I come to the metal detector before boarding a plane I always tell the security staff I have a pacemaker and receive a pat down (a rather vigorous one in Japan) or have them wave the hand wand over me, without any reaction. However recently after getting off the plane to enter Cuba I had to pass through a metal detector (to make sure I wasn't bringing any weapons into the country).. as usual I approached the woman by the x-ray machine and told her in Spanish that I had a pacemaker... to which she replied "YOU? YOU?" and then started laughing for about half a minute. She then ushered me straight around the gate without any kin...

 

We just returned from an awesome trip to South Africa and Zimbabwe.The trip included early morning Safari(s),bouncing around the african bush in a Range Rover, climbing
long winding stairs with high winds at Cape Point, and walking along steep inclines at rain drenched Victoria Falls. Throughout the entire adventure my PM kept my heart beating regularly without incident.

I was somewhat apprehensive about this trip, as I expereinced, SoB, Fatigue and Syncopes during a trip to
Italy last Summer. This was the first time I had these symptoms, which turned out to be complete Heart Block.
The result of which was to have a PM implanted on 6/25/10.

This trip entailed four international flights and four intern...

 

Had my first pacemaker in 1995. Airport security was not a problem at the time - things have changed considerably since then.
In Europe, after I tell them I have a PM, they do a pat down. I would like to go to the US but I have heard that security at the airports is horrendous - even for 'normal' travellers.
If anyone can tell me what the actual procedure is on arrival or departure from the leading US airports (Kennedy, Newark, LA etc) I would be most grateful.
Thanks.

 

I have a pacer and am wondering the effect of occasional short term use of a welder or chain saw can have on my pacemaker?

 

Hi everyone,

I have had my Pacer for 6 years now. I had a lead issue in 2008, and had to have my leads replaced. The reason for my Pacer is that my heartbeat slows down, and sometimes stops. I have gained 20 lbs in the last 2 & 1/2 years and am very out of shape. My resting heart rate is now usually in the high 90's, sometimes 100 BPM.

My question is this:

My husband and I are going on our Honeymoon in 3 days. We are going to Colorado Springs. He wants to drive up to the top of Pikes Peak. And see the view from the top of Pikes Peak. I am worried about the high altitude and what it will do to my pacemaker and my heart rate. Will I be OK to do this?? Any advice would be great!

 

In my 5th week with a two lead pacemaker. Found my heart was beating much too slow, down in the 30,s range at times. My question : Has anyone with a Pacemaker ever used a Backpack blower, and if so did it cause any problems? I know the book with my pacemaker states it should be 12 inches from the device. Anyone with experience using or being around small engines respond.

 

Are there any pacemaker wearers out ther who are welders? I am heavily considering getting back into the work force as my wife and I are getting further behind on our bills, both of us currently on SSDI. My cardiologist says it's best to stay away from welders, then later I talk to a friend who is still a full time weld despite wearing a pace maker and a defibrillator. As a tool and die maker, I only had to weld occasionally. And other than staying away from MRI machines, I've been told by some Medtronic technicians that magnets in general don't pose a big risk for pacemaker wearers. We use magnetic chucks for work-holding devices in my (former) line of work. I'm thinking I should start working as a toolmaker again. At 59, I don't think my...

 

So I have to get on a plane in 2 weeks... Will I have much trouble getting through security with my ICD? And also the home transmitter... If I just put that in my carry on will it be a big deal?? Just had my ICD put in about 2 months ago... And waiting to be put on a list for a heart transplant..