Implanted Loop Recorder?

[MoyB]

Has anyone had one of these and, if so, were there any problems relating to the insertion, before or after?

Thank you. xx Moy

[Aries17]

I am in my late 20s and have an ILR. I had no issues at all, just a bit of discomfort and bruising for the first few days! I even managed to continue breastfeeding afterwards.

Good luck.

[MoyB in reply to Aries17]

That's very reassuring. Thank you. xx Moy

[Caza]

my husband had one fitted in December. No problems or pain whatsoever. Very straightforward.

One night in January he had three seizures. I called an ambulance which arrived luckily fairly quickly. They called for back up. It was quite a night. He had emergency surgery to have a pacemaker fitted. The Loop recorder had registered the fact that his heart had paused three times for an alarming 18 seconds each time. This was the fourth time this had happened but because it hadn’t been recorded somehow it wasn’t taken seriously. So the Loop recorder, I think in a way has saved his life.

Good luck & don’t worry.

[MoyB in reply to Caza]

I don't have seizures but I spontaneously fall backwards. The neurologist is trying to identify the cause and as I have P.A.F. she has requested I have the ILR to find out if I am having some kind of heart related event when the falls occur. My cardiologist has agreed to do this but says he is 99.9% certain that my heart is not the cause.

Reading of your husband's experience goes to show that they are not always right!

Thank you for your post. It must have been such a scary thing to go through but thank goodness the recorder picked up what was happening! I hope the pacemaker has made a difference and your husband is now doing well again.

xx Moy

[Caza in reply to MoyB]

no this wasn’t a fall as such, he would completely black out. He would empty his bowels & bladder whilst being sick then go unconscious. Awful to see. I kept telling them it was as if his body was preparing to die but they didn’t listen until the Loop recorder.

He’s doing ok but gets very tired.

[MoyB in reply to Caza]

Poor man! He must have felt dreadful and it must have been very shocking for you to witness. I hope they will be able to do something that will combat the tiredness. xx Moy

[Cundara1234 in reply to Caza]

Hey Caza, can you explain to me how it happened that his heart stopped. Did something precede it? How did he feel before the cardiac arrest itself? Did he have heart palpitations, rapid pulse or none of that?

[Cundara1234 in reply to Caza]

Hey Caza, can you explain to me how it happened that his heart stopped. Did something precede it? How did he feel before the cardiac arrest itself? Did he have heart palpitations, rapid pulse or none of that?

[Caza in reply to Cundara1234]

It wasn’t called a cardiac arrest, his heart paused for 18 seconds. Three times. He got up at midnight to use the toilet he felt ok as far as he could remember. I heard an almighty bang, shot into the bathroom & he was on the floor. He couldn’t hear me speak, I washed his face until he came too. Then his bowels opened (like water) & he emptied his bladder & was vomiting. Still laying on the floor unable to move. His face was bleeding (he’s on blood thinners & had cut his face mouth nose eye etc also knocked out half his front tooth). I tried to clean him up & get him to move out of the cramped bathroom into our bedroom then it happened again. I called 999. Thankfully they came very quickly. They tried to move him & it happened again his blood pressure was dangerously low. I could see they were worried but they were fantastic. They called for back up & a doctor came within a few minutes. So there were five medics there. They were absolutely brilliant. They stabilised him then took him to hospital. The cardiologist there said what had happened was rare but not unheard of. He was shocked when I told him that this was the fourth time that this had happened but no one had listen. I think he would of even he hadn’t seen the recordings but the recordings backed up what I was saying.

No there had been no warning for any of the episodes & they all took place in the night. Gruesome but hope that explains it.

[Truckerclark]

it’s a very quick & easy thing to get done ,as said little discomfort and bruising but overnight stay at most ,if in early enough out that night ,,

[MoyB in reply to Truckerclark]

That sounds ok to me! I didn't realise that I knew absolutely nothing about it until I was telling a friend about it. Her reaction and questions made me think I needed to find out a bit more. Thanks for your reply. xx Moy

[LizLancashire]

Yes I had one inserted a few years ago. No pain or discomfort on fitting or afterwards. They didn't take it out when the battery died after 3 years so left with a tiny lump, hardly noticeable.

[MoyB in reply to LizLancashire]

Thank you!

xx Moy

[foxglove1 in reply to MoyB]

me too. Had one fitted and kept in until battery died three years later. Didn’t know it was there. Reassuring to have had it

[MoyB in reply to foxglove1]

Thank you. All this reassurance is really helpful. Xx Moy

[DianeEM]

Yes I had one fitted in December, very quick and painless, in and out in less than an hour. No problems before, after just a bit of bruising only issue I had was no swimming until wound healed. Apart from a very small unobtrusive scar you wouldn't know it was there.

Best regards

Diane

[MoyB in reply to DianeEM]

Thank you. That's very reassuring. xx Moy

[BlueINR]

Yes, I've had one a couple years now. Not sure what good it does. No problems with having it placed. What are your concerns? It's a fairly simple procedure.

[MoyB in reply to BlueINR]

No great concerns, really, but was telling a friend about it and realised how little I knew! My husband has a pacemaker and so I was thinking the procedure would be similar, but as no one has given me any information other than that the consultant will do it (sometime!) I started to wonder if I was right in thinking that.

I am hugely reassured by the replies on here and also, after reading Caza's reply, any thoughts I may have had about it not being really necessary have gone out of the window!

My consultant is doing it to keep the neurologist happy! He doesn't see it as a necessary procedure but is willing to do it as he is sure that it will prove beyond doubt that my falls are not related to my PAF or any other heart issue. I did have a moment of doubt when I was telling my friend this and wondered what I might be letting myself in for.

Thanks to you and everyone here, I think it will be worth having it done as it seems to be low risk but with possible benefits.

xx Moy

[BlueINR in reply to MoyB]

I have a pacemaker also, but got loop monitor first, pacemaker only a few months ago. I think I'm wired for sound. LOL. Cardiologist's office takes readings from it at visits. Mine was placed because of afib. Both were done during hospital stays, so overnighted, but not for the devices.

[MoyB in reply to BlueINR]

Thank you. I hadn't heard of the ILR until my neurologist mentioned it and the cardiologist spoke to me on the phone to say he would do it, but I've heard no more. I'm guessing I'll get some info when an appointment finally comes through.Xx Moy

[Quilter43]

Yes..in and out as have a pacemaker.

[MoyB in reply to Quilter43]

I think I'll go ahead with it when the date finally is arranged. Thank you. xx Moy

[1Golf]

no worries, it was a piece of cake. Procedure takes 10 minutes, injection to numb the area. Just a little sore for about a week. Very impressed with this tracking device. Technology at its finest.

[MoyB in reply to 1Golf]

It's incredible that they can do it so quickly! Brilliant!Thank you. Xx Moy

[Geoffa1]

Yes had one for a year.Local only done in 5 minutes. Virtually no pain or issues.

Loop recorder puts analytical information in front of you and your EP and provides the wisdom for all to understand when how and possibly what your AFIB load is.

I had mine removed during PM placement.

An important part of the journey.

Hope this is helpful.

[MoyB in reply to Geoffa1]

Very helpful, thanks! I only realised when telling a friend about it that I really knew nothing at all about the procedure, having been given no information at all.I guessed it would be similar to having a pacemaker which my husband had done, but it sounds quicker and simpler so I'm very happy to hear that!

I agreed to it as my neurologist is trying to determine why I sometimes fall backwards with no warning. She knows I have PAF so wanted to check whether my falls could be heart related.

As things have settled down for a while, I was wondering if I should go ahead with the procedure or not, given that it can be seen as 'invasive', but after seeing people's replies on here, I will definitely go ahead.

Xx Moy

[ian16527]

Yes and no problems

[Cundara1234]

Uh, I'm sorry that this happened. However, luckily and with your and the doctor's quick reaction, his life was saved. Is he feeling well now, no more such dangerous attacks since he had the Loop Recorder implanted?

[DawnTX]

I had one implanted three years ago and had no problems. It was quick, and the implants left a scar smaller than a pencil eraser. It turned out to be a godsend because they had a lot of trouble diagnosing. Also, because of it, they knew immediately when I was back in afib. They called me and had me scheduled for another ablation the end of the week because of the monitor.

I just had mine removed the end of February because I have a pacemaker now. They removed it from the same spot it had entered so again same scar pretty much and no problem. It was nice to know someone was watching over you. Same thing now with the pacemaker I have it is monitored 24 seven. I also have a hotline for it and an app where he can request a transmission directly from me no matter where I am. A loop recorder is a good thing.

[MoyB in reply to DawnTX]

It obviously was the right thing for you. I'm so glad it helped you get the right treatment.My problem is that I spontaneously fall backwards and the the room spins for 15 - 30 seconds. Afterwards I may be shaken but am otherwise fine to carry on with my day. This happens every few months but I can then have a couple a week or two apart.

After 3yrs of it I have finally seen a good neurologist. She was surprised that I had just been issued with a monitor for a week during which time I had no episodes of PAF, resulting in heart problems being ruled out!

She has requested the loop recorder in the hope of catching one of the episodes of falling as it happens. It seems a very sensible course of action to me. The cardiologist has agreed to do it but told me he is 99.9% sure it will show that my falls are not heart related because they are the wrong sort of falls! Hmm!

Well, of course, he may be absolutely right, but only time will tell.

Thank you for your helpful reply. I feel confident to go ahead with it now that I have had so many people on here speaking positively about the experience. I was trying to weigh up the options given that the heart man is so certain that it won't show anything.

Hope you keep well. Xx Moy

[DawnTX in reply to MoyB]

Hi there I wonder what the right kind of Falls are according to your doctor? My first awareness of a problem was when I woke up on the floors facedown with no idea as to what had happened. This was followed by a backwards, fall in my bathroom, where my head landed between the tub and the toilet. These were both in the same time frame. FYI I had no dizziness. I remember getting up to go to the bathroom, then waking up realizing my face was cold because it was laying on the floor. We won’t even talk about what happened to my teeth. This was the beginning of my a fib journey.

I had a total neurology work up before I got the loop recorder. It was just the way that the timing fell not that one seemed more likely than the other. I don’t know what tests you have had for your heart maybe he’s right or maybe he’s arrogant. An EKG will not show your a fib unless you are having an event during the EKG. I wish you well and as I said, I have had one implanted and now removed just the end of February. It is not a big deal. They did a local. The only thing I made sure I did not do was look lol when you feel it in your chest, it reminds me of a thermometer to take your temperature, depending on how large you are in that area could make a little bit of a difference. Lol let’s just say they had plenty of room to work in me. Please let us know how you are doing. PS sorry but the way you describe what happens you make it sound almost normal. It certainly is not. and the injury from your falls are definitely dangerous. Someone was obviously watching over me with the fact that my head landed between the tub and toilet otherwise I might not be here to tell you the story.

[MoyB in reply to DawnTX]

It seems my cardiologist doesn't think that people fall backwards due to heart problems and don't go dizzy with them either! Arrogant? Possibly!

My neurologist was certainly extremely keen to get the loop recorder done as she thought it ridiculous that I didn't already have one, given the number of faints and falls I have had.

Yes, the falls could be serious and there is not a day that goes by that I don't offer up a prayer, saying, 'Not today, please!' I'm always relieved to get out of the bathroom after my shower as have kissed the bathroom floor on several occasions (faints) and I worry when I go out in case I have an episode. I now use a mobility scooter as at least then I would be seated and so less likely to be injured. My husband helps me with cooking, dealing with hot pans and roasting tins etc.

I broke my wrist before Christmas when I had a 'normal' fall at my son's house. It broke so easily - I have osteoporosis - and it made me even more aware of the dangers.

I now plan to write to my neurologist and remind her that I've had my MRI, CT and nerve conduction tests (no results yet) but am still waiting for the loop recorder. I'm hoping that she might gee him up a bit!

I did have an ablation in July which seems to have made a difference to me generally - leg swelling is much less and I'm not as tired as I was - but I've had two more falls recently (caught by my husband, thankfully) so it hasn't put a stop to that!

I hope you never faceplant in the bathroom again (or anywhere else for that matter!) and things are now going well for you. It's a horrible feeling to suddenly find yourself somewhere you didn't expect to be! The bathroom is such a hazardous place too. Ours is quite small so we had the bath removed and now have a wet room. The floor is quite good at producing black eyes and stripping the skin off elbows! I did once fall off the loo in the separate one which meant I was stuck between the loo and the wall! My husband found me covered in vomit and - he thought - dead! Fortunately, I started to come around before he phoned the undertakers and an ambulance turned up instead!

Seriously, it really isn't funny, but life has to go on, so I'd rather try and find the funny side than get depressed about it - been there, done that!

No more kissing floors for either of us, eh?

Thanks again for your really helpful reply. xx Moy

[DawnTX in reply to MoyB]

I kissed my bedroom floor of concrete and went backwards in the bathroom somehow my head landing between the tub and toilet. My back was also lovely bruised down my spine. I had never blacked out in my life. Here’s a bowl of cod. That’

[DawnTX in reply to MoyB]

when I read your description again I am wondering did anyone bother to check your ears?

I know with all the tests they did. No one check my ears, but I wasn’t having dizziness like that it was different. The reason I ask is simple because air problems cause that and nausea and oh yeah, the room will spin. I have trouble with my left ear from an accident. There are three tiny bones in your ear. Mine are broken. With everything else going on that was the least of my concerns right now. Find a good ear doctor not just a GP. Maybe your cardiologist is right

[MoyB in reply to DawnTX]

The ENT man has discharged me as he said, 'There's nothing wrong with your ears.' I beg to differ as I have Menieres Disease. In fact, I feel pretty certain that the falls are related to it, but he has told me categorically that they are not! Mind you, he has also told me that I am not deaf in my right ear, although three different audiologists have told me that I have 'no useful hearing' in it and so they cannot aid it. My view of the ENT consultant is not favourable, as you may guess!

I've also been seen in the Dept. of Elderly and Frailty and the consultant there got someone to try the Epley Manoeuver on me. He did a couple of preliminary twists and turns of my head and said, 'You don't have crystals in your ears so it won't work.'

One thing everyone seems to agree on is that I don't have Parkinson's so that's good news.

Thank you for thinking about the ear connection and mentioning it to me. It's definitely a possibility but I can't find anyone who will either confirm it or, if it's not that, tell me what else it can be.

It may remain one of life's mysteries, but if I can get a proper diagnosis, I feel I can move forward with a clearer understanding of what the future will hold. There are some horrible possibilities but I feel too well for it to be any of them really. However, if it is due to something that can't be fixed, I would like to know so that I can make necessary arrangements for the future.

Having said all that, we none of us know what tomorrow will bring. Perhaps I should just carry on as I do now, taking each day as it comes. xx Moy

[DawnTX in reply to MoyB]

I have the attitude you do about carrying on because we don’t know what’s coming. Everything I’ve had done and worrying about my heart would not stop anything if I stepped off the curb and a truck hit me lol life is what it is. Yes I agree with you about the Ménière’s. Are you stuck with just that one doctor believe it or not? I actually went into one of those regular offices in a shopping mall that was listed under my insurance for my hearing test and she was the first one that has told me how hearing aids won’t help my left ear and she explained why. I don’t know what they can do for Ménière’s. I mean right now you could possibly just have a virus in there or something or has it been going on a long time. I had gone to another hearing doctor. OMG you wouldn’t believe the things he said to me it was when I was getting my disability after being hit by an 18 wheeler I had six oblations in my neck. I have one left to do on my back but of course I got a fib everything else put on hold.

Your doctor sounds like a real jerk. I didn’t notice where you are from. If you’re in the states, please find yourself another doctor you deserve to have quality of life and getting dizzy and falling backwards is not that it’s just a matter of time before you get badly hurt.