Most Recent Messages in Batteries & Leads

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Lead Replacement

I have a dual chamber Medtronic pacemaker.I am on my second set of leads. These leads were put in 10 years ago. The old ones were just left in and not taken out. I'm told that my current leads are becoming frayed and will have to be replaced in a few weeks or months, whenever they hit end of life. There are too many leads and some or all will have to be taken out. The Dr. said they will use laser surgery. Has anyone ever had this procedure? I've had numerous pacemakers. I've always been c...

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Dr. coverup? Lead displacement

Here is some background:

- I had arrhythmia with a 2nd degree block. Low cholesterol. not overweight, I've been in great physical condition other than this.

- On 21 April 2014 I had a pacemaker put into my RIGHT side as I am left handed. We wanted the device on my non-dominant shooting arm. The following were implanted:

Medtronic SureScan Pacemaker A2DR01
Leads were: 5086MRI52
5086MRI45

- I kept my arm in the slin...

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No replacement

Has anyone asked their cardiologist NOT to replace their pacemaker battery? If so must the old battery be taken out or can it stay in the body?

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Atrial lead

Hi found out my atrial lead which has been in place for 17 years is breaking. as I already have 3 leads in my vein the doctor suggests turning off the atrial lead & just leaving the 1 main ventral lead working, they did this & told me walk around the unit for a while & if I feel OK they will keep a check on me for the next couple of months, he also says this will extend the battery life.
anyone else had this problem

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Battery Life

Hi
I have a dual chamber Boston Scientific S603 pacemaker. Does anybody know what the lifespan for this model? Just on the average.
Thanks

Gladys

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Leads lifespan?

My mother is going to have Pacemaker replacement after almost 10 years… but not necessary the Leads, it will be decided during the procedure..

She has St Jude, Pacer #5386, Lead 1688T/52 and Lead 1646T/58.

She is in excellent condition.

1. What is the Lifespan of the Leads?
Is it safe to continue using them for more than 10 years?
My concern is St Jude has had Recalls and problems with Lead insulation and malfunction..

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Battery is at end of life

Just curious. When my pacemaker battery goes into safe mode, will I know it? I guess what I'm asking is, are there specific symptoms that will tell me I should contact my Cardio doctor?

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taking deep breaths

Hi Everyone,
I am at safe mode now and going to get my PM replaced on May 1st.
I have been feeling a kind of shortness of breath as though I have to take a deep breath every few minutes. It is not like running out of breath but rather an uncomfortable feeling even when I am sitting down .Saw the cardiologist , he did not seem very concern.
I thought it was my allergies acting up but anti histamine or the albuterol inhaler is not helping. Have any of you had this kind of feeling at...

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Early replacement of battery pack

I am reading a question by another member asking whether Medicare will replace the battery of her/his Pacemaker early. I'm pretty much in the same boat....my battery is at the end of it's life. I had my regular pacer check two weeks ago, I have 3-12 months left on the battery. We have a Summer home in Washington State that we go to starting in May, normally returning in late October. My Cardio is going to request Medicare to allow an exception, but I'm not holding my breath that this will ha...

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"noise" on lead

I had a my original (2003) Boston Scientific battery replaced this past July but no lead replacement. Starting about a year ago the techs started noticing what they call "noise" on my atrial lead. I was asymptomatic so they did not recommend any action. Recently however I am having episodes of feeling lightheaded and irregular beats that feel as if someone is running me through a prolonged pacer testing. during these episodes, I feel weak and nauseous and afterwards, wrung out. No pain, just irr...

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low battery

I am 57 and have a pacemaker for SVT. I have been having some issues for a few months and attributed it to pacemaker battery going down (will need to be replaced this year, in Jan. had 9-15 months left). Not so sure anymore and due to no insurance since 2009 have no regular cardiologist.

Symptoms – fullness in throat, headache, pain between shoulder blades, fluttering feeling maybe a pressure/tightness but hard to describe in my chest, sorta like I felt prior to PM.

I hav...

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still running but hopeful

A quick update for those who have not followed my postings.
I have had PM since is June 27 this past year. Fairly successful and returned to my running career (40 yrs of running) and had some success early, 24 min 5k after about 8 wks. This has been followed by a steady downward spiral and many clinic follow up visits with adjustments to tweak the settings on my Medtronic Adapta PM. I eventually got to a point where I was told they had done about all they could. I received a lot of support...

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Any feedback on yanked out leads?

I was wondering if anyone has experienced having a lead yanked out. If so, what caused it, what were the symptoms, and what was done about it?

I love riding my horses, but have been told I cannot fall, becuase of the fact I could yank out a lead in the fall. Of course, I don't usually fall off the horse, but I am terrified I might!

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Pacemaker Repocket surgery

Hi, Everyone!
I am scheduled to go into the cath lab tomorrow morning for a pacemaker revision- My surgeon is going to get rid of some scar tissue that is causing issues and move/repocket my pacemaker since it has moved a little and I can feel it "lift/pop" when I use my arm.
How long do you think the recovery will be? The Dr. says 2-3 days, but I am really nervous it will be longer. He is not doing anything to the leads.

Thanks!
ally

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Sudden Battery End of Life

Almost two years ago my husband's ICD/Pacemaker was reporting that the units battery was depleting and would need to be replaced within the year. A month or so after receiving this ICD report he was involved in an automobile accident which required him to be transported to the hospital. The bottom line was he had some back problems, neck problems, and whiplash to which he would need further treatment.

Five days after the accident, he transmitted his devise on his normal schedule....

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Need MRI

For medical reasons my pacemaker was removed and the lead left in my chest wall. This was in 2009 and have had no need for replacement.

My question is - Has anyone had an MRI done with the PM/and or leads in? Any problems with procedure?

I am needing a neck MRI. Other xrays do not visualize effectively.

Thanks for your thoughts.

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2 lead too three lead

Going from a two lead PM too a three lead PM what should I expect

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How many leads

Hi all. just got told I need a lead replacing. as this is my 3rd pacemaker & I already have 2 working leads plus 1 left in from a previous op, how many leads can you have before they have to remove the ones not in use.

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Feeling tired before box change

Does anyone here ever feel very tired or short of breath when their pacemaker battery is almost finished ?

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update on jaw pain, palpitations

Thank you to everyone for your support. Just wanted to quickly bring you up to date. Hope my experience helps someone else!!

I went to the ER with continued jaw pain and heart bouncing all over the place. Long story short. the 2 leads in my pacemaker were dangling unattached to my heart and thus the jaw pain and heart beats all over the place. The EP specialist said whoever inplanted the original pm did not have experience!!!! They inplanted new leads and after 2 day stay in hospital...

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You know you're wired when...

You have a little piece of high-tech in your chest.

Member Quotes

A pacemaker completely solved my problem. In fact, it was implanted just 7 weeks ago and I ran a race today, placed first in my age group.