Fear and Trepidation - Pace Maker

[Duke Dive Medicine]

How do I find this physician. They're not listed in the yellow pages under "Doctors with training and experience in examining divers". When is your next available appointment?

Memorial Hermann hyperbarics would be a good place to start. They might even have a recommendation for a cardiologist for you. I'm linking their website below.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Houston

The doctor and I looked at the ekg printout together. He said it looked fine except for the heart beat rate. He said there was a very small block on the front (while showing me the blip).
When I had back surgeries I learned everything I could about the spinal area. I guess it's time for the heart and EKG's.
Thanks -

I'm translating that as a first degree AV block, does that sounds familiar? How does your insurance work with respect to referrals? Do you need a referral from your PCP in order to see a specialist, or can you arrange your own specialist visits?

Best regards,
DDM

 

[Wookie]

If it were me (and it may very well be me) I would not hesitate to consult with Dr. Ebersole and maybe even visit him. He will know everyone decent in H-town and make recommendations for your particular needs. I have found him to be very helpful, and when my PFO gets irritating enough to overcome the fear of getting it fixed, he is my guy.

But even if he doesn't do your pacemaker (I have no idea if he does), he gives great phone and consults can be done right over the internet.

 

[MargaritaMike]

Memorial Hermann hyperbarics would be a good place to start. They might even have a recommendation for a cardiologist for you. I'm linking their website below.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Houston



I'm translating that as a first degree AV block, does that sounds familiar? How does your insurance work with respect to referrals? Do you need a referral from your PCP in order to see a specialist, or can you arrange your own specialist visits?

Best regards,
DDM

I'm on Medicare so I think I can make an appointment with any doctor who accepts Medicare. My doctor told me to find a cardiologist and he would send all of my pertinent data and referral to that cardiologist. From what I'm gleaning from your comments is to see a Cardiologist for the eval, then see an Cardiac Electrophysiologist for the implant, and then see a Doctor with training and experience with divers, before I should go diving again.

I was hoping to go diving from October 13th to 20th for my wife's birthday. I guess that's not happening. I've called Memorial Herman Hyperbarics and the person I spoke with was worthless. All of this is very frustrating. I almost wish I hadn't had my routine physical and just die happy while diving. Now I can't do that with a clear conscience for my wife and family's sake. Dang!

Thanks for your info, feedback, and patience. I was only half kidding about your next available appointment. Airplanes travel all over the place.

Thanks - Michael

 

[Wookie]

I'm on Medicare so I think I can make an appointment with any doctor who accepts Medicare. My doctor told me to find a cardiologist and he would send all of my pertinent data and referral to that cardiologist. From what I'm gleaning from your comments is to see a Cardiologist for the eval, then see an Cardiac Electrophysiologist for the implant, and then see a Doctor with training and experience with divers, before I should go diving again.

I was hoping to go diving from October 13th to 20th for my wife's birthday. I guess that's not happening. I've called Memorial Herman Hyperbarics and the person I spoke with was worthless. All of this is very frustrating. I almost wish I hadn't had my routine physical and just die happy while diving. Now I can't do that with a clear conscience for my wife and family's sake. Dang!

Thanks for your info, feedback, and patience. I was only half kidding about your next available appointment. Airplanes travel all over the place.

Thanks - Michael

Speaking to the Hyperbaric folks at Hermann is a joke. Not too far from you in the Woodlands is Dr. Carolyn Fife. She is my personal hero, as she fixed me up when I had my vestibular hit. She is a cardiologist, and is now on staff at St. Lukes Wound Clinic. I have no idea if she keeps office hours, but it's worth giving her a call.

 

[MargaritaMike]

Not too far from you in the Woodlands is Dr. Carolyn Fife.

FINALLY. Is she diving savvy?

 

[boulderjohn]

If it's looking like you'll be able to dive again, you'll want to try to select a device with a maximum recommended pressure that most closely meets your anticipated diving needs. Pressure tolerance can differ considerably between brands and devices.

We have had several threads on this, and the difference is HUGE.Some of them will limit you to 60 feet. The St. Jude Pacemakers, in contrast, are tested to 7 atmospheres (about 200 feet). They worked at that depth, but that was the limit of their ability to test.

 

[Wookie]

FINALLY. Is she diving savvy?

Top 10. What I don't know, although she is a cardiologist, is if she is heart savvy. @Duke Dive Medicine, do you reckon Dr. Fife is heart savvy?

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Caroline is savvy period. If she can't help the OP she will know who can. Sorry I didn't think of her earlier.

About

Best regards,
DDM

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

I'm on Medicare so I think I can make an appointment with any doctor who accepts Medicare. My doctor told me to find a cardiologist and he would send all of my pertinent data and referral to that cardiologist. From what I'm gleaning from your comments is to see a Cardiologist for the eval, then see an Cardiac Electrophysiologist for the implant, and then see a Doctor with training and experience with divers, before I should go diving again.

I was hoping to go diving from October 13th to 20th for my wife's birthday. I guess that's not happening. I've called Memorial Herman Hyperbarics and the person I spoke with was worthless. All of this is very frustrating. I almost wish I hadn't had my routine physical and just die happy while diving. Now I can't do that with a clear conscience for my wife and family's sake. Dang!

Thanks for your info, feedback, and patience. I was only half kidding about your next available appointment. Airplanes travel all over the place.

Thanks - Michael

Our clinic number is on the website linked below. We do pick the phone up and you will speak with a real human being (probably named Tonya) during normal business hours. We would be more than happy to see you if you can't find what you're looking for locally.

Hyperbaric Medicine - Duke Anesthesiology

Best regards,
DDM

 

[MargaritaMike]

Speaking to the Hyperbaric folks at Hermann is a joke. Not too far from you in the Woodlands is Dr. Carolyn Fife. She is my personal hero, as she fixed me up when I had my vestibular hit. She is a cardiologist, and is now on staff at St. Lukes Wound Clinic. I have no idea if she keeps office hours, but it's worth giving her a call.

Top 10. What I don't know, although she is a cardiologist, is if she is heart savvy. @Duke Dive Medicine, do you reckon Dr. Fife is heart savvy?

I just called Dr Fife's clinic. They said that she "use to do undersea work" but now she ONLY does wound care. I can't get in to see her unless I have an open wound. (is it worth it to get my knife out? I know where to cut. ) They said she is "definitely not a cardiologist". I called the director of the clinic, a Ms. Cheryl Whitewolf, who said that she has worked with Dr. Fife for 25 years and she has never been a cardiologist. In any case, she won't see me unless I have an open wound.
On to plan b.
Cheers -