Pacemaker

[Eleneh84]

Hi I am thinking about doing a 9 hour flight to USA, I have a pacemaker fitted in 2022 but haven't seen the cardiology since although I am attached to a base station by my bed at night. Has anyone got any advice on this I would be grateful. I am 76 years old slightly frail.

[Hidden]

Remember to tell them about the pacemaker as you go through airport security. I am sure people who have done long haul flights with a pacemaker will respond too.

[Eleneh84 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you I will, i havent see anyone since they discharged me in June 2022 heard nothing from them no follow up and no discussion which has made me just a bit nervous. I want to go and see my grandaughter in University in the USA . the insurance companies are charging £1600 for 20 days. I tried all the top Companies, which has made me even more worried.

[Hidden in reply to Eleneh84]

You could ring or email the Cardiac Technicians and tell them your plans and ask if there is anything you need to consider. My husband's Cardiac Technicians do an annual check-up remotely but we have contacted them a couple of times and they have been very helpful.

[Eleneh84 in reply to Hidden]

I did try it but it's on answer phone most of the time a d tells you to ring 999 if its an emergency, I just think the hospitals are overwhelmed. Thanks for the advise I will try again

[Hidden in reply to Eleneh84]

Yes, it is on answering machine lots of the time here too. We just stay what our issue is, leave our phone number and wait for them to reply - some times takes a couple of days. You could ring and say you are planning to go on a long haul flight and would appreciate them looking at your recent output to make sure all is working smoothly. And ask if there is any recommendations or advice for you taking such a long journey.

[Eleneh84 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you I will do its good advice

[Alicant in reply to Eleneh84]

I think overwhelmed is a generous comment….inefficient ineffective management in my opinion! Rant over..insurance seems a bit excessive..but any medical insurance for USA is expensive.You go and enjoy ..

[NosmoKing25 in reply to Alicant]

The response you make is a common view of a complex situation and more in step with the Daily Heil propaganda than reality. I have been in three hospitals over the last six months for procedures and tests including surgery for skin cancer and insertion of a pacemaker. All this on the NHS and timely response to needs, all the work done had to be managed. So I would say that even given that lack of investment compared to other countries in the last decade the NHS is still working well.

[Hidden]

Hi, Good advice already, but, I would add that you should be having an Annual review, be it remotely or face to face.Also you need to take your Pacemaker Card with you for Airport Security. Many UK Airports have Scanners that we can now use the same as anyone else. I flew from Spain last month and still had to produce the card. The last thing you want is being stopped at a US airport and not have the documentation.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Very good point about taking the Pacemaker Card with you. I also thought you should be having or have had an annual review either remotely or face to face with the cardiac technicians.

[SingingT]

we are all different, I am totally dependent on my pacemaker and have had no problems when flying. I am 77 and reasonably fit so I guess it depends on whether you have other health issues. Hope you have a good time.

[Eleneh84 in reply to SingingT]

Thank you very much it is encouraging to hear , I do have a few other problems but I am intending to go if I can in September . I don't know how much I am using the pacemaker. What do you feel when it is working.

[SingingT in reply to Eleneh84]

My pacemaker works all the time and I don’t feel anything at all. I used to have it cutting in and out when necessary and I wasn’t aware of that either. I am usually very aware of things going on in my body so it isn’t that I’m insensitive 😁

[Drawforaliving]

Hi, have you not been receiving appointment letters that request you do a download with your bed side base station? If you you have been doing downloads and received no contact that means all is good. No news is good news. If you haven't been doing downloads and somehow slipped through the cracks contacting and asking as stated in other replies is certainly the way to go. Once you have raised a concern they will be duty bound to look into it as a claim could be made of negligence because you have specifically asked.

[Eleneh84 in reply to Drawforaliving]

Hi thank you for your advice I have a metronic monitor by my bed I rang the pacing team but on answerphone so left my number then I rang metronics they told me to press the button etc and give them (hospital) a reading, seemingly as you say if there is anything wrong the hospital will contact me so feel so much better with all your advice.

[Heartfairy]

Hello Eleneh84, wow how exciting to be flying to the States to see your granddaughter. You’ve done the right thing sorting your insurance out, I know it’s very expensive but it’s a good price for peace of mind knowing that you’re covered as the States private care is extortionate. Do try and get your pacemaker checked before you go but just for some reassurance, we took my 80 year old father in law to Las Vegas on an 11 hour flight. We got him through security separately and just told the staff about the pacemaker, he was absolutely fine, no problems. He had his card with him but they didn’t even check it. We made sure he drank plenty of water during the flight and encouraged him to walk around. We upgraded him on the way home to business so he could have a bed as it was an overnight flight and he had the most amazing time. So, I’m sure you’ll have a great trip, the time will fly, the time with your granddaughter will do you good though, keep hydrated, if it’s hot take it easy don’t over exert yourself and just have fun 🤩. There will be no stopping you! Take care and enjoy yourself ❤️🧚🏼‍♀️

[Eleneh84 in reply to Heartfairy]

Thank you very much I feel much more assured by all-out comments and everyone else too

[Eleneh84 in reply to Heartfairy]

Thank you so much it has given me such encouragement

[Heartfairy in reply to Eleneh84]

Excellent - let us all know how you got on when you return home. Take care and safe travels ✈️ 🇺🇸 xx ❤️🧚🏼‍♀️

[Thaifan]

hi I had pacemaker fitted in 2022 but do not have a monitor at home. I travel to Thailand twice a year and have had no issues. At all the airports I have not had to go through the machines and they do not use the wands either. Usually a hand search. You could speak to the technicians who check your pacemaker, I have always found them very helpful. You could also e mail the consultant via his secretary.

[Eleneh84 in reply to Thaifan]

Thank you it encourages me so much to hear this

[CAA32]

I went to Australia recently 6 hours to Dubai and 14 to Melbourne. Absolutely fine! I took my pacemaker ID and didn’t need it just told airport security and they were great. In Manchester it was a body scan in Dubai it was a private cubicle and a female assistant. I bought myself an ID bracelet (Amazon) so that if anything happened then I had immediate Medical ID.

Due to time difference I took my meds at the same time eg normally 8am ish then became 8pm ish. A pharmacist told me not to worry so long as you take them each day.

I had a great time and was greatly impressed on how I was treated. As said previously 1000s do the same daily.

Enjoy!

[Eleneh84 in reply to CAA32]

Thank you very much I will

[Nanpap]

Hi, Eleneh84, how exciting to see your granddaughter graduating. I’ve had my pacemaker since 2020 and have flown many times since with no issues. I also have monitor by my bed, and if I’m away I always have to ring the hospital to let them know. I absolutely agree with all replies you’ve had, take your card (don’t let the airport team near you with their magnetic wand!) keep hydrated, walk around and speak to your pacing team at your hospital before you go, they are always very helpful and informative. I hope you get to see your Grandaughter and have an amazing special time with her.

[Eleneh84 in reply to Nanpap]

Thank you very much I will do

[Botolph]

I find this extraordinary. I had a pacemaker fitted in August last year and had a check up a week later, then a month later, then six months later and now I see them again in a year. These are necessary and I was only given a machine by the bed after this last visit. Can anyone else relate to this? Was told I could leave the machine by the bed when I go on holiday.

[Eleneh84 in reply to Botolph]

Your hospital was really good had mine in May 22 haven't seen anyone since

[Nightmare2]

Many travel and fly with pacemakers, all i hear any of them saying is that the alarms go off at airport security, as long as your travel insurance is aware, any problems or worries and you are covered for hospitals in US. or flying back home, but your best bet is to speak to your GP, who i am sure will get you the information you require.

[Sim22]

Hiya, I had a pacemaker implanted 2018 and I often spend months away from my base station. Mine is ICD Metronic PM and have had no issues though I am about to have a new because the battery is getting low.

[Eleneh84]

Thank you for telling me

[Kimkat]

I had a pacemaker fitted 7 years ago, since then I have flown to Europe 2 a year and Canada twice with no problems. If I were you I would contact your cardiac team and give them a gentle reminder that you haven’t had any follow up appointments or checkups since your op. I have one every year without fail which they arrange when I leave the clinic, you may have slipped through the net.

[roughquest]

Can I throw a wild card out here? I visited my daughter in the US last year by SHIP!

There is a direct route Southampton to Newyork on Cunard and isn’t much dearer than flying. Worth a thought 👍

[roughquest in reply to roughquest]

cunard.com/en-gb/cruise-des...

[Eleneh84 in reply to roughquest]

I thought that myself if I feel bad will come back by ship QE2 thank you

[Alfy53]

Hi get onto your Doctor first.then also contact your consultants secretary and tell her exactly what you said here. I'm sure you will be okay and get good advice

[Slobojoe1]

I have had a defibrillator for 22 years. Are you sure it’s a pacemaker and not a defibrillator you have. My reason for asking , is I don’t know anyone with a pacemaker, that has a bedside monitor .

[Eleneh84 in reply to Slobojoe1]

Yes absolutely it's a dual chamber pacemaker and I have the paperwork. I suppose different areas do different things, another lady I am in touch with had a pacemaker fitted at the same time and has a different bedside monitor.