PHONE CHECKS... ER MISSED PHONE CHECKS YIKES!

Ok, here's the deal.... I am in the last year of battery life. I have a St Jude Dual Pacemaker for Heart Block, Bradyacardia and I also have mitral valve prolapse. I developed Tackycardia (sp?) after the PM implant. I get nasty blood clots and I take a blood thinner, a beta blocker, HP meds and a most important of all a multivitamin! he he. I figure it can't hurt. :)

The problem is that the phone checks are every 4 weeks! I feel as if I am tied to the phone. I refuse to carry the portable EKG with me to work. I also don't see the point in doing these checks every 4 weeks! It makes no sense to me. I have other things to do besides sitting around waiting for them to call me back. I have an office visit every 6 months. I think if they could work with me a little, like every 8 weeks or 12! yeah, then that would work better for my life.

Today I had left for work at 8:25 am, at 8:30 the Dr. office phoned and woke my husband. Then when I didn't call them back, they continued to call my house. My hubby (works nights) finally answered and set up another date for me.

My question is... does anyone else feel this way about the phone checks? Am I being unreasonable? Am I just feeling overwhelmed by my life? I'm not sure, but I am trying to laugh about it. I can say one thing about the drs. office... they certainly are persistent!

I would love to read your comments. Pacergirl

12 Comments

okay

by jessie - 2009-01-19 11:01:25

i do not have phone checks. i only report to the p.m. clinic in london once a year. i was in 3rd degree heart block and chf. i seem okay now. i have issues with other things but not heart related muscle related. i have eight years to go on the p.m. i was told in the summer. if phone checks don't suit you ask if you can pop in for a check. last summer my husband was in the same hospital for heart bi-pass. i just realized i would not be able to return for my appt in a week because i was having to care for my husband. i popped up to the clinic and they did the check right there for me. boy talk about service. it really helped us that little kindness. so maybe you could do some thing else besides tel checks . just a thought jessie

sorry....

by pacergirl - 2009-01-19 11:01:46

HP i meant to say High Blood Pressure....:-)

PHEW

by peter - 2009-01-20 03:01:39

You have too many interests like me , also you work as well, I only work 5 hours a week. I dont know how you fit it all in the 24 hours each day. I wish all doctors were as concerned as yours. At least there is something to be grateful for. I think you must find time for the checks if that what the doctors want. Best not to irritate them. They are obviously more concerned because you are more pacemaker dependant like me. Cheers Peter

Yes, You Are Being Unreasonable

by ted - 2009-01-20 04:01:22

I believe that you are being unreasonable for being upset at people who seem to care more about your health and well being than you do. Your doctors are not out to get you or to make your life miserable by asking you to check in so they can make sure that you stay alive. I know someone on kidney dialysis that must go in every few days and lay on a table for a few days while his blood gets purified. Should he find fault with his doctors for inconveniencing him?? Those of us with pacemakers are lucky that we have a condition that only requires us to spend a few hours every so often. As Peter said, it's time to get grateful. No need for whining or self pity.

I feel ya!

by tcrabtree85 - 2009-01-20 04:01:38

I understand but then have to tell you look at what just happened to me. My pm stopped working after only having it for a year in ten months. That was aweful to have to have such a low rate for so long. So look at the positive part to stay healthy and stay independent you have to get checked so you can keep going.
You would rather know a head of time when you need surgery instead of a last min race to have one.
I know it is a pain in the butt. I also know your a strong women and will get through all of this. I programmed in my phone to call you on the first and remind you now lets see if I remember.

Love ya!
Tammy

Try this

by Blueaustralia - 2009-01-20 04:01:44



As we get older the appts seem to mount up and it is hard to keep on top of them. I put a blackboard on the wall in my husband's study. Appts are written in a column in date order. I check them each morning when I log in to check my mail. It gives me chance to be reminded of what is coming up in the next few days and what needs doing. It seems to be the only way I can keep up with my work as a property developer, family and my own requirements. Hope this helps.

Lucky you

by Blueaustralia - 2009-01-20 05:01:12



It is maddening when we think we should handle matters our way; But remember all those folks who are not able to access the wonderful check ups etc. You should remember that the program your doc has worked out is for your own good and for safety sake may be you should follow it as your battery is getting low.

To my friends

by pacergirl - 2009-01-20 08:01:24

Thank you Peter for understanding what I was saying. Thank you also to Ted, ElectricFrank, Jessie and Blueaustralia. I am thankful for the PM. I just hate being reminded every 4 weeks. I also forget that I have the phone checks. The timing is bad and going to the office would be worse. I will try to remember when the phone appt. are... the actually give me an exact time to call, on a specific date. I just hate to do it. It reminds me that I am not as independent as I once was. Of course it isn't every couple of days on a table for a few hours, or in the office face to face, but for me it is intrusive. I am busy, I have a full time job, a hubby and a part time design business. Not as busy as some, but for me this is a lot. I will stop whining about this and try to remember life before the PM. I actually don't remember much about that time... just tired. With Heart Block very little was reaching my brain so I didn't "feel" too much... it was sort of a relaxed foggy feeling.
So thank you for replying... all of you, thank you
Pacergirl
My next phone check is for Feb. 2 at 8am. Just in case anyone sees me online and can send a GET OFF THE COMPUTER AND DDO YOUR PHONE CHECK! he he!

Phone checks

by ElectricFrank - 2009-01-20 12:01:30

With only a year left on battery life it is a good idea to run a phone check every 4 weeks or so. The 1 year is only an estimate and the problems you would have if it took a nose dive aren't worth it.

I think you mentioned not having a land line phone at home so I understand the inconvenience of having to take the machine to work. If you think about it once every 4 weeks isn't really that often. Are they setting a single date for each check. With mine they just ask that I run the check during a specified date range. The whole thing is automated at Medtronic and I can run it anytime day or night or on weekends. I would discuss it with them and work out a reasonable way to do it.

And finally, don't let it get to you. They are only trying to keep track of the pacers operation. Spreading the times out to 12 week could have a profound affect on your life and ruin you whole day.

best,

frank

haha!

by tcrabtree85 - 2009-01-21 02:01:03

So glad I can bring you a laugh. Now I am going to guess you have a cell phone and its the only way I remember things. I have it all written down but I get distracted and don't always look at those. So your cell has a calandar with a alarm setting maybe you could use something like that also. Though I will try to remember that call..

love ya,
Tammy

Thank you....

by pacergirl - 2009-01-21 07:01:34

Hi just wished to say thank you for you suggestions. Tammy I would be thrilled to have a call from you! if you can remember... he he you make me laugh! You crack me up!!! lol
Blueaustralia, this is equally a great idea! I have a dry erase board and I believe this could work for me. A calendar is just too small and easy to miss.
Thank you everyone for helping me out. I do seem to be a bit forgetful these days.

Peace to all,
love, Pacergirl

Reminders

by ElectricFrank - 2009-01-22 12:01:44

I also have a white board in my office with my to do lists. At my age though I need another white board in the kitchen to remind me to look at the white board in my office. (:G Now if I can just remember to check the one in the kitchen.

frank

You know you're wired when...

Your signature looks like an EKG.

Member Quotes

So, my advice is to go about your daily routine and forget that you have a pacemaker implanted in your body.