Pacemaker Club: Battery change

Battery change

by PMC
2014-10-13 03:10:40
Batteries & Leads
1831 views
4 comments

Hi im 35 from uk ive had a pacemaker for nearly 17 years now and ive had 3 new pacemakers but never a battery change they always gave me a new one because i was getting bigger and older im going into hospital in the next 2-4 weeks for battery change and was wanting to know do they put you to sleep because ive heard people saying they dont and im no likeing that idea lol

4 Comments

PM's

by Grateful Heart - 2014-10-13 03:10:00

A battery change means a new pacemaker. It is all contained in one unit. The case is hermetically sealed.

So rest easy, you should be a pro at this now. :-)

Grateful Heart

What's a Battery Change Like?

by Shaun - 2014-10-13 06:10:07

From the patient's perspective, how does a battery change compare to having the original PM + leads implant?

Pacemaker surgery

by golden_snitch - 2014-10-14 03:10:01

Hi!

I guess, the doctors sometimes say that only the battery gets replaced to make clear that they take out the unit, and not the leads. But, yes, it is confusing, and we have had many patients here asking about battery vs generator replacement, when it's actually the same.

Now, with regards to the surgery, you can always talk to your doctor about the possibility of being sedated for it. Usually, a pacemaker implant and replacement can be done using a local anaesthetic only, but if you are scared they can give you something to sleep through the procedure or at least something to calm you down and put you in a state, where you are very drowsy and do not care about anything. Just ask, and let the doctor know that you are very nervous and scared about having to stay awake for the surgery.

Good luck!

Inga

replace

by revelation - 2014-10-14 11:10:26

I'm on my second CRT-D device and I was not put to sleep either time. You won't feel anything above a tug at your placement site. You'll be just fine, don't worry about anything.