Holter monitor

[SilverLining00]

Anyone know how big holter monitors are?  Is it possible to hide the thing and go to work?

[ireneo]

It's been years since I wore a Holter and it came with a strap. I felt like I was wearing a small purse. The event monitors which I've worn many, many times are much smaller. The downside of those is when it records an event, it makes a loud, annoying screaming beep. I was at work one day wrestling with a sick raccoon when the monitor went off. Everyone around me wondered what the heck is that? I told them to ignore it; it would stop in about 60 seconds. No way to hide that. The last time I wore it I had to record some tachy while I was shopping in the fabric store. I tried to hide in an aisle with no people so they didn't think I was a bomb ready to go off. LOL

[SilverLining00]

Thank you, TachyAfraidy (I love your name!).  I'll take your recommendations.  I don't think they'll find anything with me either because the troublesome ones are so seldom.  I tried to blow it off, but the doc didn't agree with me when I told him I was 'fine'.  Well, here's hoping that if there's something I need to worry about, the find it and if it's nothing they don't persist in looking.

[TachyAfraidy]

My cardo office must have been using a really old model after reading all of the postings. Hmm. My city is pretty large and he runs a heart institute. Maybe I was one of the last to use the yucky old one. Be sure to push the button when you feel the hypoxia and the syncope feelings (shortness of breath or fainting feeling) and when you feel any palps. Then log it when you have the time. I wore mine overnight and sleeping was a bit strange. Funny, the tech who put it on me used a half a roll of tape on top of the sticky electrodes to make sure that they wouldn't come off!

As an earlier post stated, yes the 5 lead monitor has a high lead up on the right chest area. Button up shirt with a collar covered it at all times for me. You get better at it after you have to wear the 21 day event monitor. I wore that monitor 5 times 24-7 for 21 days each time. When and if you need to do that, be sure to move the electrodes slightly to the left or right when you change them. I made the mistake of wearing them in exactly the same spot for too long and my skin became really irritated. No lotions or the sticky stuff on them will not adhere to your skin.

You are not at that stage, so none of these things are of concern. With my arrhythmia, it was hit and miss because it was transient and paroxysmal in the beginning, mostly nocturnal due to my sleep apnea playing a roll as a huge trigger for my chaotic rhythm. They will see it if it occurs in the 24 hour period. It will be seen. Have faith.

[SilverLining00]

Thanks for all your input.  It's seems the size might be pot luck.  I just pray it will be small.  In my old office I wouldn't care, but in this one, yeah, I do.  I don't want any questions being asked.  What do you think the chances are that they'll actually detect the problem when the arrhythmia that causes symptoms only occurs every 2 or 3 months?  The PVCs or PACs (whichever they are) don't really phase me. It's the one that almost makes me faint that concerns me and the doc.  

[Ihatepalps2]

hi! Im not sure where the other people that have answered your question live...maybe in small towns or something ....because the holter monitors that I have worn in the past...are so small, like a cell phone! I JUST wore a holter 3 weeks ago. Had it for 48 hrs. I had it put on during a Dr appt...and walked out, went right to work. Nobody knew I had it on. Now, i do have a desk job, it might be not so simple for someone that has a very physical job. You have the 4 or 5 electrodes, thats the only part I didnt like-they got itchy! And I had to wear a shirt that had a high collar/neck on it, because there is the right side electrode that sits pretty high up on the neck. The monitor itself has a sturdy clip and it goes right on the waistband of your pants/shorts, etc. Im sure if you wore a VERY tight shirt, it could be seen, but I think most people would think it was a cell phone. Sleeping..you have to be a bit careful rolling over, but there is some leeway in the wires so that its not all pulled so tightly. If one comes off, just note it on your diary, and plug it back in. I even worked out when I wore mine--got pretty sweaty...but they gave me extra electrode patches, and I was able to remove them and put new ones on. The only bad thing is I wasnt allowed to shower. But you can still wash up pretty good.
All in all, its not big, not bad, and it gives good results!
Good luck to you!

[is_something_wrong]

The box it self is not that big (like the size of an old iPod) it's all the wires that is a problem. You can only hope you don't have to do any security scans that day - it really doesn't look good if you get scanned!

I thought it was problematic to sleep with all those wires connected to me. And just forget trying to have sex (though it's a really good test for adrenaline induced arrhythmias.) That was just weird. Besides, your doctor will laugh when he reads the results.

I'm joking a bit here, you're going to be fine. Some doctors have some sort of vest you can use to hide the wires.

[TachyAfraidy]

Yep, the holter is a big one. But I wore the strap around my tummy on the inside of a looser fitting shirt and the bra works wonders for coiling those wires in. Everyone is right and it is funny to hear that you all handled it the same way I did! We are all in the same boat. The 21 day event monitor is much easier and the cell phone is just a cell phone. No one at my workplace ever noticed and I went on travel for work through the airport security and everything. Piece of cake. We all have to carry on with our lives and work just like everyone else. Holter was only worn for 24 hours, they put it on me at luch break and I took it back the next day on my lunch hour. It will be fine I am sure. :)

[chicky2001]

It is a huge monitor.  I wore it while working as a police officer in uniform.  I put it on the police belt and put the wires under my shirt before tucking the shirt in.  The wires were curled up and stuffed in my bra.  No one noticed.  Not the public or my higher ups.  It was the most uncomfortable gadget I have ever worn.  If the higher ups noticed, my doctor would have just written them a letter.

[SilverLining00]

I'm hoping I can successfully hide the thing.  I just got a new job 2 weeks ago, and I don't want to have to take time off, yet, I work in an environment that is full of Doctors who, I was told, are alert and tend to notice medical issues among the staff.  With hot flashes, it becomes a challenge to keep a suit jacket on.  :)  (Especially when you want to rip off everything!)  I guess they could be as curious as the kids in your school.  Thanks.

[ksig]

There are several types of monitors and consequently the sizes differ.  I have worn everything from 24 hr types to 30 day types.   I was able to hide them fairly successfully.  I was a middle school principal at the time and had a school full of curious 12 and 13 year olds.  Nothing gets past them.  I coiled the wires and placed them in my bra and that helped; otherwise the wires stuck out and you could see them through my clothing.  Hiding the transmitter can be more difficult, depending on the size and type.  The cell phone type was the easiest -- wear it on a belt like most cell phones.  I just put it in my pocket.  At any rate, you can be very successful in disguising it so that you can get on with your business.  You are probably a very resourceful woman.  Good luck to you.
ksig