Apple Shuffle .

My pacemaker (for slow beating, stopping heart) was installed November 30, 2016 and was complicated with a punctured lung when I moved slightly during the procedure.   Since anxiety is one of my major issues (no history of heart disease, under weight if anything) I have enjoyed listening to guided meditations on my Apple Shuffle, however I have seen some mention of interference from these devices and wondered if anyone has any recent information on these devices.    The negative feedback I have read was dated and the technology may have changed.  I have NOT used the shuffle since my pacemaker was installed ..as I've been going through what I am sure are the usual anxiety issues related to suddenly having a device in your chest monitoring your heart, and in my case stitches in my armpit from the lung tube that tended to be painful.  (I'm black/blue from my armpit to my waist on my left side where the lung collapsed.)   Any shuffle feedback would be appreciated.   Thanks so much.

   ADDED:   I am a recovering alcoholic, who has been sober for 35 years (just turned 70), and I bascially forgot to tell the cardiac staff that fact.  I have the resistance of a horse to pain meds, and anesthesia so they likely did not give me enough and I moved. 

I had surgery on my leg a few years back and the surgeon had to use "enough to knock out a horse" because everytime he started I could feel it.     Just thought I'd add this to the general note because there seemed to be so much curiosity about it.   Not the surgical teams fault...I simply forgot to give them all my history and my partner was still on Salt Spring Island tryiing to find dog sitters for our huge Golden Doodles...while I was in Victoria where I had been brought by chopper. 

I'll also get my PM stats up later today.  I'm a bit better everyday now, just find it disconcerting to feel the PM kicking in in....grateful, just odd.  I've decided to call my PM "Mimzy" after the futuristic creature from "The Great Mimzy" so I can welcome her into my body and start feeling more at home with her.    

The stitches came out this past Monday and that alone has made me feel much better, especially the ones under my arm that were pulling and causing quite a bit of pain on that heavily bruised side. 

Thanks for the feedback to date on the shuffle.   I did read about some negative experiences with same just before contemplating use and that caused more anxiety than I needed at the time.   Each day I seem to get a bit more reserve in that regard however and I'm not just plunged into anxiety without a buffer quite as readily.  (LOL  Going to my happy place more quickly.)  

 


4 Comments

Use of Electronic Devices

by Lurch - 2016-12-13 17:19:45

As Angry Sparrow said, very few device for our implants. I utilize cell phones, tablets,'s, wi-Fi, and Bluetooth devices all day long. At each interrogation I asked my device tech if any interruptions in service I've been recorded by my device. The answer is always no.

Welcome Corie

by NiceNiecey - 2016-12-14 05:40:31

Glad you've 'stopped by' and asked a question.  

I would have no hesitation using an iPod Shuffle or similar device with a PM.  Go for it!  It sounds like you could use it.

Second, were you fully sedated when they put in the PM and you moved and punctured your lung?  Crazy.  I'm so curious.

A word of encouragement to complete your profile.  Many of us look at those to help advise you, whether it's age, gender, device type, diagnosis, etc.  I've not read any reports of people taking information and using it for nefarious purposes.  You're safe with the other members and only registered users can see your profile.

I hope you get to feeling better very soon.

Pneumothorax as a complication of catherisation of the subclavian vein

by Selwyn - 2016-12-14 06:47:24

About 4% chance of this happening, perhaps less if the doctor has greater experience. Perhaps more if the person being catherised moves or has excess fat, emphysema, variable anatomy, etc.

After my PM insertion I was not allowed to leave the hospital until I had a chest X-Ray to exclude this complication.

Yes, personally, sorry to say,  I have given someone a pneumothorax after doing a subclavian catheterisation!  The tolerance is about 1cm, if you do move a little, in relation to the procedure this is a lot!

[ Ref:  Ann Transl Med. 2015 Mar; 3(3): 40. Pneumothorax as a complication of central venous catheter insertion]

 

shuffle

by Tracey_E - 2016-12-14 09:29:37

I clip my shuffle right over my pacer when I run. There are virtually no home applainces or electronics that will affect a pacemaker. Live your life and don't worry about it. 

You know you're wired when...

You have the perfect reason to show off your chest.

Member Quotes

I have had my pacer since 2005. At first it ruled my life. It took some time to calm down and make the mental adjustment. I had trouble sleeping and I worried a lot about pulling wires. Now I just live my life as I wish.