Most Recent Messages in Batteries & Leads

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Lead removal

I recently had my 3rd PM surgery during the last 15 months due to a fractured lead. Naturally, my regular surgeon was on vacation and his backup did the surgery, but was unable to remove the old lead. Then during my last checkup my EP said I might want to think about having the old lead removed due to my age(37). Is it possible to run out of areas to implant the leads.

Thank
You

tim

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St Jude replacement question

My pacemaker/defibulator battery is at 2.6 . At what level does it go into ERI ? I'm being checked monthly and holding at 2.6 for a couple of months now .

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Replacement time

I had a difibulator-pacemaker implant about eight years ago. The first battery was replaced after five years, right on schedule.
The second battery was put in three years ago. So I go to have it checked last week and the technician says, "Well, we'll schedule you for another battery in 3-5 weeks.''
I was so surprised I was speechless. Last time I had months of advance notice and they drop this on me out of the blue on a battery I thought would easily last for another two years (what d...

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Battery end of Life

I have had 2 dual chamber pacemakers that the battery has run down and had new pacemakers implanted. I have a 3rd degree AV block and when the pacemaker switch mode to end of life mode, I really suffer badly. The last time i fainted and fell on the floor. They took me to the emergency room at the hospital and implanted the new pacer. My question is why do they make you wait until the pacer changes mode before replacing them.

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Lead extractions and replacement

Hey to all, have not posted in awhile so glad to be back. I am having lead extraction surgery 8/27/09. I presently have 3 leads, 1 has been capped off since a generator change in 2006, and now another one is cracked and I have 1 lead that is working. The surgeon estimated 3 hours for the surgery and if no complications you're d/c'd the next day. I was wondering if anyone has had this done and what to expect. I usually get a pneumothorax whenever leads are put in so I'm expecting to get on...

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Very Scared and Confused

Hi All,

I am a 34 year old female that has had a pacemaker since 16. I have had 2 replacements since then and have the original leads I had in 1991. My Dr. told me today during a routine check up that one of my leads is not functioning as it should and as a result the pacemaker has to work extra hard. She said there is "information" interferring at the tip and there is no explanation for it - the interrogation showed no trauma or slippage - again she said there is no explanation....

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erm ....

Hi, i have had my pacemaker for nearly 6 months now. I was 14 when i had it fitted, and I'm now 15.
Up until a couple of weeks ago, i used to be able to feel the actual battery through my skin, underneath my arm, which my consultant said was perfectly normal considering the place where he installed it. I can now no longer feel it. Is it possible for them to move? Can anyone else feel their PM?

Thanks, Sian
x

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when do I know it's time for a new one?

HI All - Just found you. My name is Ellen. I'm 50. I was born with a hole in my heart - ASD fixed at age 9. Symptoms started around age 30 - heart rate was 29. It went lower and lower until I was fainting regularly. Turned out the SA? node was probably hit during the heart surgery at age 9. I had a pacemaker inserted which paces almost all of the time. I am set at 60 bpm.

Lately I have been feeling rather ill. I feel my heart beating and generally feel awful. I had it checked by the d...

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Excess L:ead

Hi,
After I had my pacemaker installed (May 4) I noticed that to the left of the pacemaker there was excess lead wire on the shoulder area. After a few weeks of being able to move my arm around more I noticed that I don't feel the excess lead wires there anymore. Are those wires put there so you have the extra length for when you start using your arm again?

Thanks
Stacey

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"ticking"

I'm flummoxed! I have an intermittent "ticking" like a watch or clock. Just in very unusual hot weather, when I go to bed at night. Three nights in a row now. Not painful but drives me nuts! I assumed it was tachycardia but took my BP/pulse and it was normal. Is my battery dying? Or am I going crazy? Should I call my pacemaker tech?

~Jean

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Pacemakers: Problems with......

Hi, new to board, I have had my pacemaker for about 10 yrs now, it is due to be changed. It will be my first time having it changed. I have been for the last 3-4 days been having increasing episodes of feeling funny, like when they do the test on your pacemaker where they run down to the lowest heart rate, (mine is 35 beats/per min) and you feel like you are going to pass out. Does it feel that way when your pacemaker is getting very low on battery power and needs changed?? ...or is there someth...

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Yeh. Keep on going!

Just had my third annual PM check up.

Still paced 100%, but then that's no surprise as I have no electrical pathway between my atrium and ventrical!

Good news is I have 146 months of battery life left. Thats just over 12 years!

Good ole ELA!

Lotti

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ICD still at 2.6 and 91%pacing

Nurse put me at ease and answered some questions I had !

They usually change it when the battery is at 2.45 and usually one day in hospital because they just slide out the old and plug in the new ICD. The wires are already in place. A longer stay may be required if you're on coumadin.

This may go on for a year at 2.6 or next month. They just dont know ...so the battery gets checked monthly.

The nurse then gave me a thump......yes a thump not a h___p :) just a lit...

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Array

Hey guys. Had my pacemaker replaced Monday after 2 1/2 years. Failed nip test twice Monday and again on Tuesday. Defib does not have enough power. They will be adding a 4th lead called an array tomorrow morning. This goes under the arm and around the heart front & back. Does anyone have this array and can give me any information? I am 48 yr old, high school teacher. 100% pace on bottom and 37% on top.

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New generator

On Friday, 7/10/9, I got a replacement generator. Before this they said my old generator was working fine; however, I was having all kinds of physical problems such as - hyperventilation, chest pains, nada energy. They kept saying- "Your pacemaker is working fine." Over and over I heard that crap. I thought, well, if it isn't my pacemaker then my heart must be failing because I have a major problem. I couldn't go up the stairs without gasping for air. To make a long story short- replaced generat...

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Low Battery

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. I GO WEDNESDAY TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND I'LL KEEP YOU POSTED

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ICD

i was told low battery and replace soon ! I think the reading was 2.6 St Jude ! What is the reading for replacement ? Any help ?

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question!

Can someone tell me where the pacing leads are please? Are they left by my armpit or central behind the breasbone?

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Replacement

First thank you for your help. i called my heart doctor and they made an appointment mistake. When the battery is low they want it checked monthly not every 6 months. I go next wednesday 7/15/09. I have an ICD 3 years old ! Do they just replace the batteries or put in a new one ?

THANK YOU

NERVOUS MIKE

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low battery

last month my heart doctor mentioned my battery was getting low and will need replacement in about 6 months. He left before I could get some questions resolved. I think the battery was at 2.6 but not sure. It never went off thank God . I have atrial fib so thats draining the battery 3 years on this one. My last pacemaker went 8 years but didnt have the extra wire for atrial fib.
How will I know physically it's time to get it replaced ? Right now I dont have much energy and taking a 30 minut...

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You know you're wired when...

Born to be Wired is your theme song.

Member Quotes

I have had my pacer since 2005. At first it ruled my life. It took some time to calm down and make the mental adjustment. I had trouble sleeping and I worried a lot about pulling wires. Now I just live my life as I wish.