pacemaker

On 23 Sep 2005 03:04:43 -0700, "pacer" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Hi everyone

Due to recent diagnosis by my doctor that i have a condition which
makes me prone to fainting ie.(vasovagal syncope). I have had a
pacemaker inserted in order to arrest this problem. However, even
though i have been told that i can carry on hillwalking once fit again
in around 4 weeks, I am concerned about the fact that my rucksack strap
will partially cover the pacemaker. which stands about 5-8mm above my
skin, (even though it has been implanted) pretty close to my left
armpit. I was wondering if anyone out there has a pacemaker (no
jokes please!) and has found a way around this problem. I have thought
of fitting some kind of foam rubber to the straps above and below the
area that comes into contact with the unit. Knowing how clever some of
you folk are on here i just wondered if anyone can come up with any
other solution.

By the way, i am 44yrs old and not victor meldrew so i don't want to
pack in walking just yet if i can help it ;-)

Hi there,

It might be worth asking this over at www.outdoorsmagic.com as well,
on one of the forums, as there are lots of active walkers over there.

I hope you can find a solution to your problem.

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

"We cannot let terrorists or rogue nations hold this nation hostile, or
hold our allies hostile."
g.w.AT [guessthisbit].com

pacer bashed at the keyboard and said:

Hi everyone

Due to recent diagnosis by my doctor that i have a condition which
makes me prone to fainting ie.(vasovagal syncope). I have had a
pacemaker inserted in order to arrest this problem. However, even
though i have been told that i can carry on hillwalking once fit again
in around 4 weeks, I am concerned about the fact that my rucksack strap
will partially cover the pacemaker. which stands about 5-8mm above my
skin, (even though it has been implanted) pretty close to my left
armpit. I was wondering if anyone out there has a pacemaker (no
jokes please!) and has found a way around this problem. I have thought
of fitting some kind of foam rubber to the straps above and below the
area that comes into contact with the unit. Knowing how clever some of
you folk are on here i just wondered if anyone can come up with any
other solution.

By the way, i am 44yrs old and not victor meldrew so i don't want to
pack in walking just yet if i can help it ;-)

The pacemaker it self will not be affected by the pressure, however it will
feel uncomfortable for you. Did you tell the doctor that you wear a large
sac, or did he assume that you just goe up a hill, with maybe a small pack?
Any rate, a bandage or similar rolled into a hoop and placed over the
pacemaker will hold it off, and stop any pressure on you. It will feel
strange, but you will get used to it!

You can also speak to a Physio who will maybe be able to reccomend a
meathod. We have several guys at work with Pace makers and they all just
use a hoop to cut the pressure. (some of them just grin and bear it
though!)

ATB

Mike...

pacer said:

I am concerned about the fact that my rucksack strap
will partially cover the pacemaker. which stands about 5-8mm above my
skin, (even though it has been implanted) pretty close to my left
armpit. I was wondering if anyone out there has a pacemaker (no
jokes please!) and has found a way around this problem.

Not got one and am unfamiliar with exactly where they go, but a couple
of immediate thoughts...

If it's close to the armpit you may be able to pull the strap inside of
the unit by using a chest dtrap running between the two shoulder straps.
These are standard on many packs and can be fitted to many that don't
have them.

Another option, at least for lighter/smaller loads, would be to use a
courier bag rather than a rucksack. There are also some hybrids which
are like assymmetrical rucksacks with one diagonal strap, the Marmot
Glacier being an example.

Though I would also guess your Plan A of something to allow the straps
to bridge the unit should work. Consider mounting whatever it is on
your body as well as the rucksack strap, just to cover a few more
options and get the most comfortable setup with some empirical fiddling.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Appologies if this gets posted twice. Google just bombed on me.

pacer said:

I was wondering if anyone out there has a pacemaker .. and
has found a way around this problem.

Have you considered a hip sack ? A perfectly serviceable
alternative to a day sack.

http://www.simplyhike.co.uk/ProductDetails.aspx?StockID=78300

Chris

"Peewiglet" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

It might be worth asking this over at www.outdoorsmagic.com as well,
on one of the forums, as there are lots of active walkers over there.

Are you on commission?

Michael Thompson said:

pacer bashed at the keyboard and said:

Hi everyone

Due to recent diagnosis by my doctor that i have a condition which
makes me prone to fainting ie.(vasovagal syncope). I have had a
pacemaker inserted in order to arrest this problem. However, even
though i have been told that i can carry on hillwalking once fit again
in around 4 weeks, I am concerned about the fact that my rucksack strap
will partially cover the pacemaker. which stands about 5-8mm above my
skin, (even though it has been implanted) pretty close to my left
armpit. I was wondering if anyone out there has a pacemaker (no
jokes please!) and has found a way around this problem. I have thought
of fitting some kind of foam rubber to the straps above and below the
area that comes into contact with the unit. Knowing how clever some of
you folk are on here i just wondered if anyone can come up with any
other solution.

By the way, i am 44yrs old and not victor meldrew so i don't want to
pack in walking just yet if i can help it ;-)

The pacemaker it self will not be affected by the pressure, however it will
feel uncomfortable for you. Did you tell the doctor that you wear a large
sac, or did he assume that you just goe up a hill, with maybe a small pack?
Any rate, a bandage or similar rolled into a hoop and placed over the
pacemaker will hold it off, and stop any pressure on you. It will feel
strange, but you will get used to it!

You can also speak to a Physio who will maybe be able to reccomend a
meathod. We have several guys at work with Pace makers and they all just
use a hoop to cut the pressure. (some of them just grin and bear it
though!)

ATB

Mike...

thanks for your advice mike, much appreciated

AndyP said:

"Peewiglet" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

It might be worth asking this over at www.outdoorsmagic.com as well,
on one of the forums, as there are lots of active walkers over there.

Are you on commission?

Not yet, but maybe if I keep trying.

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

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