Bedside monitor

10 ft

by Gemita - 2023-10-05 07:34:26

Milinda, my old Medtronic monitor says to maintain a distance of no less than 10 feet and to keep it on my bedside table or close by, but you probably have a modern monitor which you can use with your phone App without any such restriction within your home?  Have your checked the monitor manual for guidance?

Of course you can sleep in another area.  Is there any chance of unplugging and taking the monitor with you and plugging in, in the living room if it needs to be within a certain distance.  Alternatively, don't worry about missing the odd transmission because the monitor will try again another time when you are close by.  

It is not essential that you be monitored at the same time each day.  Do you by chance know how frequently you are monitored, nightly or periodically and don't forget you can always transmit data yourself if you need to.

I hope you get some relief for your sciatica very soon, that has to be the priority

👋🏼 hi

by Lavender - 2023-10-05 08:00:28

My monitor is a Latitude for my Boston Sci device. I have to be within ten ft of it. The thing is, it only does a brief scan nightly to see if certain preset parameters are ok. It's very brief between 12-3am. I was told if it missed catching me, it would scan next time I was close. 
 

sorry about sorry sleeping problem i have a problem also

by new to pace.... - 2023-10-05 08:51:03

You should contact your device clinic and find out what time the monitor is transmitting.  Mine is around midnight.  I try not to be out of bed during that time. They can always wait until you return to your bed.   As Lavender said the same above me.

One time i had to sleep in another room. for 3 nites.  The information was saved until i returned  to the monitor.

new to pace

Bluetooth

by piglet22 - 2023-10-05 09:51:57

Here's the official line on it

https://www.bluetooth.com/learn-about-bluetooth/key-attributes/range/

Not very helpful but correct. One kilometer would be stretching things, though.

It's going to depend on the implanted device and the bedside monitor, but as far as I know, Bluetooth is involved with both. I'm assuming, because you don't say, that you are using Medtronic MyCareLink beside monitor (BSM).

Older PMs had Near Field Communication (NFC) and had to use a reader that sat on top of the PM. The PM talked to the reader and the reader talked to the BSM. The BSM talks to the wider network.

Newer PMs have Bluetooth built in. I'm not sure, but I have wondered if the Azure series are a nod to blue of Bluetooth.

So Bluetooth is the common factor.

There is also the communication between BSM and the larger network. This is by GSM or cellular phone like a mobile phone.

Bluetooth is a high frequency, high data throughput, low range system as used in printers etc. It uses the same frequencies as wireless routers which is commonly 2.4-GHz and is in use everywhere. It's a very crowded frequency as more and more "smart" devices are added.

You say in the next room. Straightaway, you are adding an obstacle if you include doors, walls. Drywall walls (plasterboard) can be metal foil backed, so another obstacle.

Your safest bet is always line of sight, device to device. Other factors include how much body mass does it have to pass through. Are you wearing chain mail?

On balance, saying next room and 30 feet, I personally wouldn't risk it. Might be better to move the BSM but check that it still shows a good phone signal. I might riskally say there’s a good chance it might work.

For what it's worth my Bluetooth printer works fine with walls between it and the computer, but it's not as important as the PM and I can always plug a cable into it.

If you asked the technicians they would play safe and say 10 feet, line of sight. Why not ask them if you can do a test from the room?

Sleeping on the couch

by Lurker - 2023-10-05 11:55:30

Melinda. I'm same as you. I got my PM in March 2021 and have had the same problem since. Once I start rolling around in bed and lost that sweet spot I just get up and go downstairs, grab the afghan my wife crochet for me and lay on the couch. I can sleep for hours on my back on the couch. I feel lucky if can string 3 or 4 nights in row in bed. I have found that if I have a big meal I'll be in trouble that night. Last night was one of those nights. I came downstairs at 1:30 and crept back in bed at 6. 
im thinking of the next time i have an in clinic tweak I'll see if they will lower my base rate from 60 to either 50 or 55. I'm hoping that will help. Thats not till mid Dec.
Good luck, and if you find the secret for staying in bed all night please let me know. 
 

Doc DX