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MRI with Pacemaker

Posted by mbaisley @mbaisley, 4 days ago

Hello: I had a Medtronic dual chamber sure scan implanted pacemaker in June, 2026.

Has anyone with a pacemaker had a MRI? After talking with a Medtronic rep, I’m quite anxious about having a MRI. What I was told is that before entering the MRI Department , the pacemaker needs to be reprogrammed by a trained MRI tech, MRI is taken, and pacemaker is reprogrammed. This makes me feel very uncomfortable.

Please share your experience if you’ve had a MRI with pacemaker.

Thank you
Mary

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Linda, Volunteer Mentor | @walkinggirl | 6 hours ago
In reply to @jc76 "@walkinggirl Which songs do you sing to yourself. I do water aerobics 5 days a week..." + (show)
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@walkinggirl
Which songs do you sing to yourself.

I do water aerobics 5 days a week with 8 separate classes. I find myself singing songs almost every day as each aerobics class using music to exercise to the beat of the music.

I don't remember singing at my MRI but I did close my eyes like you. I do deep breathing exercising I learned in yoga to help me relax. Those that are nervous can research and see what deep breathing exercises are and see if helps relax.

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@jc76 I am of the folk music generation! From the Seegers, Peter, Paul and Mary, Kingston Trio, Carole King, Judy Collins, Broadway show music ... there is more than enough from which to choose.

For those who are facing their first MRI, yes, this can be frightening, often because they heard the tales of others. Medical treatment in general is frightening! We all can identify with that! Drumming up courage to see it through and knowing that the people working with MRIs see fearful patients all day long - they have many "tricks up their sleeves" to help one get through this. At the end, they always ask you how it was, feedback adds to their tricks to use in the future. Sadly, I know people who absolutely refuse to get a MRI, the information from one can be a missing piece of the full picture.

Your breathing exercise suggestion is very helpful! In Lamaze classes a very long time ago, we learned some; the idea is to focus on breathing rhythms rather than on "discomfort," a polite way to describe pain. In this case, anxiety. Thank you for sharing.

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