Elective replacement

Hello I have just joined this group. Does anyone have a DDDR Guidant pacemaker that has needed the generator change? Mine was placed in June 2002 and I am almost ready for a generator change according to my MD and pacemaker battery checks. A few days ago I was mowing my lawn and was short of breath the whole time, I took my pulse and it was 70, which is the low limit on my pacer. I have not had this problem before when I exercise, but now when I do I can't seem to get my pulse over 70 no matter what I do. What are the signs that you at the ERI mode with a Guidant pacemaker? Does the pacemaker function differently at the ERI level? Are the different brands of pacemakers any different at the ERI level? Thank you.

7 Comments

pacer going one night...

by mendedheart - 2009-05-15 10:05:14

Whem my MedronicKappa stopped after seven & half years. I didn't feel very good one evening, next morning went to a meeting, Came home & walked upstairs & my legs got tired after four steps I was breathing hard. Took my BP & pulse was down to 48 so I knew that I was in trouble. Got a new Medronic Adapta ADDR01 it has many new features but replacing was a snap.
Now we got to get this new one in breathing sych with body. I travel a lot & need my sittings just right when traveling in all types of weather & temps.
I think you need a check & maybe a new one. I got along alright with 48 beats until new one replaced. I stayed very quite & took life easy until visit to EP.
You know how every thing happens on a weekend or holiday...

ERI

by Tracey_E - 2009-05-15 11:05:28

They all work about the same when they get to ERI. You're getting minimum function out of the pm- enough to keep you alive and safe but not enough function to let you do all the things you could normally do with it. It won't let you get below your minimum setting, but it isn't letting you go higher anymore. You didn't mention why you got the pm, but if your rate isn't going up and down like it should with exertion, that's a good sign you're in ERI. Some doctors wait, some insurance companies require you to wait until you're in ERI before doing the replacement.

I'd call and ask to be seen. And don't exert yourself if your rate isn't going up, take it easy until you know what's going on. It's hard on your body doing more than what your heart can keep up with. You're perfectly safe in this mode for 2-3 months but you might want to schedule it asap so you can get back to normal activity.

If you haven't had a change before, it's really easy! Nowhere near as bad as the initial placement because they go in the same place (ie. through scar tissue) and they usually leave the leads.

Replacement programming

by ElectricFrank - 2009-05-15 11:05:57

I keep seeing posts where a person has had a smooth working pacemaker until replacement time. Then they start all over again tweaking the new one. There is no reason for doing this way. I have already talked to my cardiologist and the Medtronics rep about this and let them know I that when I get to replacement time I expect them to program the current settings into the new one as a starting point. The new features on later models are usually in addition to the ones in the older model (if you stick to the same make). I don't expect to have to wait for the first checkup either. It can just as well be done at implant. This assumes that the leads aren't replaced.

frank

p.s.

by Tracey_E - 2009-05-15 12:05:28

if it's in ERI mode now, it's not elective anymore!

Frank- settings

by Tracey_E - 2009-05-16 08:05:14

I've had the same rep present in surgery for each of my replacements, and it's a given that he starts off with the same settings as the old one. I can't imagine not doing it that way but I know some don't. It's just common sense to me, don't know why some doctors want to reinvent the wheel!

You're right, most updated features are additions to what's there, not changes to how the basic functions work. I know that my newer models have had some features that they can't use because the old leads don't report back as much as the new leads do. I'll be interested to see if I feel different when I get my new leads next time.

Tracey

by ElectricFrank - 2009-05-16 11:05:31

For me with only AV Block I really don't need most of the features. Kind of like all the "stuff" on my cell phone.

frank

thank you all for the info

by bmom91 - 2009-06-11 03:06:00

I am awaiting my replacement in July I have been on Eri mode for the last month and a half and feeling very tired with low bp your comments have helped so much. My cardiologist told me that I shouldn't be feeling any difference on Eri than with my norm pacing . I am printing this out for him:)

You know you're wired when...

You make store alarms beep.

Member Quotes

The experience of having a couple of lengths of wire fed into your heart muscle and an electronic 'box' tucked under the skin is not an insignificant event, but you will survive.