Pacemaker fitted

[piggywig2]

I had a pacemaker fitted 3 weeks ago and am travelling to Europe on 4th May. Can someone please tell me what I need to do when I get to the airport before travel please

[EmmJayTea]

Two things spring to mind. I've done a fair bit of research on this (Info: I'm a physics graduate with a recently-fitted ICD). Here is my advice:

Firstly, keep your device ID card handy and show it before you go through the security check. Most airports will ask you to step around the scanner and go through the little gate. They will then pat you down and/or wave the magic wand over you (i.e. a hand scanner). Show your ID card and make sure the person operating the wand knows that you have a device fitted and ask them not to hold it over your device, but to keep it moving. If you do go through the scanner arch, don't panic, but don't loiter* in it. Just move straight through it (calmly, avoiding eye contact, not looking too shifty or nervous etc.). I guarantee you'll set the scanner alarm off as you have a chunk of metal inside you, so you'll then be patted down/wanded.

Personally, I'd walk round and have the manual pat-down straight off. You're likely to get this anyway, irrespective of whether you go through the scanner arch.

And my second piece of advice is: Enjoy your travels!

*Loitering will exposure your device to an electromagnetic field, which can interfere with the device or disable it. As soon as the field is removed, your device returns to normal operation. For some people, the effect is negligible, for others it could be more serious, which is why the general current advice is to not go through the scanner. However, if you do inadvertently walk straight through, the effect will be transient for less than a second and your device will immediately return to normal function.

[piggywig2 in reply to EmmJayTea]

Thank you so much Emma - that is really helpful. I'm sure I will get used to my pacemaker but it's all very new to me so really nice to have such detailed advice.

Jane

[Bingo88]

Hello piggywig2. Welcome to the pacemaker club. Hope your starting to get used to your device and have no problems. You will probably have a check up after 6 weeks to make sure everything is fine with your pacemaker and the incision area is healing nicely. Hope your keeping your pacemaker arm not too high for another 3 weeks minimum and managing to sleep ok. The advice for the airport is excellent. Brian

[Hylda2]

As already advised. Wave your pm card as soon as yet get to security arch. Ok going. Traveling back from Spain you will get hauled in for a drugs swab

Husband and I both have pms, thought it was that, but coming back from Spain with my daughter had to go through the whole business . Hands scanned, shoes x-rayed then a further search!

Enjoy your holiday now you have your life back!

Di

[piggywig2]

Thanks to you all who have replied - very kind and nice to know there is help/reassurance here if anyone needs it