hello again!

Alright just a lil recap my name is Rachel and im 22 year old female. I just got my first pm in jan 08, for a-fib and rapid rate. I have a few ?'s. Im going to vegas in september......i cant wait! Oh back to the ? Im a factor 5 (prone to blood clots......which doesnt help with the a-fib) I was wondering if you guys would know.....im unsure if i should fly or drive?!? I talked to my doc and he said it was kinda equal. So i wanted to see what you guys thought? I know driving for long times and cause dvts and flying can cause pe's. I have had 5 pe's in the past so im on lovenox. Which means i should be safe but i have devoloped clots on it b4 so I gotta watch out for myself ya know?!? One more thing, I know how rollar coasters say you shouldnt ride them with any kind of heart trouble. But my ? is this. Since i got the pacemaker shouldnt that take care of its self? Like shouldnt i be okay riding on the coaster?
sorry I kinda jump back and fourth!! hehe

Thanks to everyone for their time and help!!

Oh yeah just wanna let ya all know I miss you so much!!

8 Comments

re:maryanne,smitty & slots

by coryi711 - 2008-06-18 01:06:41

I don't know what your implant is for or the manufacturer of your device. That is why I said speak to your Doc.. I have a atrial pacemaker, ventricular pacemaker and defibrilator with the 24/7 heart monitor built in. I just came from the guidant/boston scientific website : the section on EMF's states that I am not to be within 12" of any slot machine. Not trying to step on any toes, but I knew I read it in my precaution manual.

Slots & PM/DEFIBRILLATORS

by SMITTY - 2008-06-18 03:06:20

Cory,

I don't think any of us ever think of what we say about our experiences as stepping on some one's toes. We each report our personal experience and that is it. I would hope no one would ever base their actions on my experiences. But as I said I have a Medtronic PM - KDR 703 Series - and Medtronic does not mention slots as a hazard.

I read your post before I wrote my comment and the thought went through my mind that you had different instructions from me but you also had a different brand device that was doing lots more things than mine does. So to me it is always different make devices, different doctors and different people. I don't know exactly how long I have been commenting on this site and asking questions for my on use. However, I know that for every answer I have gotten on a question I did not accept is as absolute fact and I could do whatever without reservation. If it was something of a critical nature, I would have it confirmed or denied by my doctor first. Otherwise, say on the question of the effects of EMF on my PM, I know what to expect should one effect the operation of my PM so I don't hesitate to go around them. But again, I'm not PM dependent, or as PM dependant as I take you to be, so therein is a good reason for you to be much more cautious than I.

What I'm saying is please don't ever think you are stepping on anyone's toes, or that anyone is stepping on your toes because yours and their postings seems to contradict one another. It is a learning game for all of us or we wouldn't be here to start with and 99% of us have nothing to offer but our own experiences.

Smitty

COMPLEX ISSUE

by peter - 2008-06-18 03:06:41

You did not say if your factor 5 is heterozygous or homozygous. The risk is much higher if it is homozygous. If you decide to fly tell the airline that you need an isle seat due to a medical condition so that you can get out of your seat and move about as much as possible.Exercise before the flight by walking up and down in the departure lounge instead of sitting around. Make sure you wear non elastic socks or flight socks . Get advice from your doctor if you need it. Cheers Peter

My Defib. rep said no slots

by coryi711 - 2008-06-18 09:06:49

I have not flown since 1980 way before my implant. But I live in south florida and florida just passed the law to allow real slot machines like vegas. My implant [dual chamber pacemaker with defibrilator] representative said I was to stay away from the slot machines. I could play card games etc.. I didn't ask why, but he said to steer clear of the slot machine area. They must put off Electro magnetic fields or something with the gears and motors spinning..that's my guess. Check with Doc.1st.
Enjoy your trip,
Zombie

Hey there Rachell

by gldoble - 2008-06-18 12:06:08

Fly, its a lot faster. I fly every 3 weeks all around the world and have never had a problem. But drivning more than 6 hours can be painful, problimatic and cost more than a flight. As to the roller coaster??? I'd think twice but jsut ask the doc.

Other than that have a nice time and have lots of fun.

Greg

Travelling

by maryanne - 2008-06-18 12:06:29

Travelling can be exhausting for the healthiest of people....now throw in your PM and your clotting issues there is more to consider, but that doesn't mean you can't travel. You just have to be a little more aware of your personal needs. I would agree with Peters suggestion of requesting an isle seat and excercise before the flight. I don't know if you would consider driving as part of your. The nice thing about driving is that you can stop whenever you want....enjoy more of the secenery and really make this a holiday to remember.

As for rollercoasters....I have never had an issue with riding a rollercoaster and have never been told I couldn't nor have I been told I couldn't use slot machines. I'm on my 4th PM, and the only thing that I find I have real problem with is getting to close to a radio tower....long story...but true....

When in doubt check with your doctor or PM manufacturer. Have a fabulous trip!!!

Traveling

by SMITTY - 2008-06-18 12:06:47

Hello,

Slot machines are well shielded. This is mainly to keep electronic signals from getting in more so than to keep the EMF created by the slot from getting out. But that shield works in both directions, so any EMF generated by that slot effecting your PM is unlikely.

I have been in casinos a number of times since I got mine and never noticed anything abnormal. In fact I never even thought about that possibility until I read it here a couple years ago. It is not listed as a no-no in my little book of don'ts from Medtronic.

But it is the same old story, everybody and every pacemaker is different. If you do notice any effects on your PM it will probably be in the way of an irregular heart beat, or maybe your heart beat will just feel different. It should feel about the same as when they place the magnet over the PM during a checkup. Like the PM checkup, when they remove the magnet your normal PM operation returns and if it happens around slots, move away from that area for a few minutes and let the PM reset. Of course that may be your signal that slots are not for you and your PM, but my guess that the possibility of that happening is somewhere between slim and none.

One other thing, all modern slots are digital or solid state and have few, if any, moving parts. Therefore they should be no more of a problem than a computer, which in one respect that is all a slot machine is nowadays.

I see some have told you to check with your doctor. I can say with about 99% certainty the doctor will say don't do it. That is the doctor's survival instinct kicking in which is normal when they do not know the answer. If he says don't do it and you do it and have a problem, he is home free. Conversely if he said go ahead and you have a problem, then he just placed that monkey on his own back.

As for mode of travel, which takes the least amount of time,flying or driving. When counting flying time start counting with when you have to leave home to get to the airport and time needed to get from the airport to your final destination.

In my case,I live 60 mi from the nearest airport. Counting the time for getting to the airport and doing all the things we have to do on check-in, I can drive to destinations no more than 600 to 700 miles away as quickly. And I will not be as tired when I get there for the reasons MaryAnne pointed out.

Good luck,

Smitty

Have a great time.

by bowlrbob - 2008-06-21 03:06:23

I go to Vegas 3 times a year. Then to Reno at least twice a year. That is where my EP is located. So i have to go there for checkups. The slots have never bothered me except for the fact that i never seem to win on them.
I was hoping that some kind of electrical symmetry would take place and i would win all the time. No such luck. As for coasters my EP said no problem if you like them.( I do) So I have been on them in Vegas. My EP'S only advice was to make sure the restraints are not riding directly on the device. Mine is under the collar bone. The Coaster at New York New York is just fine and Lot's of fun. So enjoy and watch out for those slots they like to eat your money. Bowlrbob

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