Phone check device and its magnet

Hi everyone,

I'm 6 weeks post-implant. I travel for work, and am resuming my travel this week - a car trip this week, then a cross-country plane trip next week. I have a couple questions. Do any of you travel with your phone check device? If you have a phone check scheduled during a business trip, do you perform the check while on the road, or reschedule it when you're home? If you do take your phone check device with you, are you wary of the huge magnet? I'm wary of just leaving it home, especially here at the beginning. I'm also paranoid about letting the contraption get too close to my purse/credit cards, my PDA, and my laptop.

Any advice from PM-wearing extensive travelers would be most welcome (except for info about airport metal detectors - I think that one has gotten enough play lately).

Thanks in advance!
A-M

4 Comments

phone checks

by pacergirl - 2009-03-02 08:03:19

Hi, I take my phone check box with me to the office. I have traveled with it as well however by car. I just phoned in as usual and it was no problem.
As far as getting it too close to other things I carry I just carried it in a different bag on the opposite side. If you are really worried... I suggest that yes, you reschedule it for a day you are home. I've done that as well. Flying.... no problem.
Take care,
Pacergirl

p.s. Stressed at first... yes I was. However it was easier doing the EKG than getting on the internet at some airports!

Phone check

by ElectricFrank - 2009-03-02 11:03:23

I generally take mine with me on trips even if I don't have a check scheduled. I discussed it with the Medronics rep and he agreed that if I had any kind of symptoms show up while I was away from home I could simply run a phone check and them give them a call. I would be likely to get better information than going into a strange ER.

As for the "magnet head" on the home check device it may not have a magnet. The Medtronic Care Link devices have a magnet symbol on the head if it is present. The newer pacers like mine don't require it as part of the test. The pacemaker is sent a wireless message to initiate the test and download the data. I haven't confirmed it but I think the pacemaker still has a magnet sensor built in which can be used to put it in safe mode under emergency conditions like a car accident.

Try to get a metal paper clip to stick to the programming head. If it sticks there is a strong magnet inside.

frank

Thank you both

by abreaux - 2009-03-03 02:03:59

I'll definitely take it on my car trip this week and then figure out about next week's flight and packing it in my luggage. Better safe than sorry, especially here at the beginning of life on the road with a PM.

ElectricFrank: it sounds like we have very different phone check devices. As for a magnet or not, I definitely haev a giant one - it's a big blue doughnut- shaped and sized magnet that I lay on my chest when they tell me to. So I know it's got one. It goes along with EKG leads that are attached to what look like watchbands that go on each arm. Wonder what those wires and magnet will look like to the checked baggage screeners - guess I'll find out if it makes anyone too suspicious.

Phone Box

by richan - 2009-03-08 06:03:38

Hi Abreaux,
Yeah, my phone device has a big blue round magnet, also. I get notices from my cardiologist office telling me when I am supposed to up-load to their PM center. Most of the time I am around home when I get the message. They don't get to upset if I am a few days late or early. I have only had to travel with it once. I had it packed in my checked-thru luggage. You know, when I do use the phone device, the round blue magnet is sitting on the table about 2 feet from my PM. I really don't feel anything until I place the magnet on my PM. I'm thinking it isn't too difficult keeping an adequate distance from the box. I imagine that at an airport, they will see it on their x-rays and inspect it.
Happy traveling,

Richan

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