Going in for my 2nd PM

Dear all,

Can someone tell me if they experienced some discomfort when their PM was running low on battery. I went to the DR and scheduled a new PM appt, but until then my heart is really pacing quickly and sometimes I have to catch my breath, which means I seem to be coughing a lot. The PM Tech said the PM goes into a different mode when it needs to be replaced and they can’t change that mode. I’m just curious if anyone has been through this?

I think I would be a little relieved if I knew this was somewhat normal?

Catherine

6 Comments

EOL

by Tracey_E - 2011-05-28 04:05:31

End of Life mode is similar to the mode they put it in when they test it. It is limited function, usually keeping your heart rate at a steady level instead of going up and down as needed. How you feel in this mode depends on why you have the pm and how much your heart beats on its own, but it usually doesn't feel good! Just take it easy, exertion is probably worse than sitting still. How quickly can you get it replaced? Good luck!

I agree with Tracy's above note

by janetinak - 2011-05-28 04:05:51

When I had to have my 2nd PM changed out the 1st symptom I had was SOB & as I am 100% dependent it was changed out with-in a week. As Tracy says just take it slow until the PM is changed out then you will be doing great again.

Hang in there,

Janet

PM In EOL Mode

by SMITTY - 2011-05-28 05:05:40


Hi Catherine,

Yes, it is normal ffor the PM to go into a different mode when the battery gets low. As Tracey said it is most often called End of Life Mode.

What has happened is the PM has gone into something called a VVI mode, at least the Medtronic and St. Jude calls it that and I don't know about the others. What happens here is the PM stops following any of the settings programmed into it and goes to pacing the ventricle only, usually at about 65 BPM.

Normally our PM checks to see if the hearts natural PM is sending an impulse to make the heart beat before it sends one. Not in VVI mode. It says to hell with all those other settings because I'm taking over control of making this heart beat. This can lead to conflict between the heart's natural PM and the manmade PM but the manmade PM wins out. This, for me, resulted in a very uncomfortable time until I could get it replaced. I understand the PM can operate in the VVI mode for at least 3 months.

So again, yep, it's normal, even the discomfort that comes with it.

Good luck,

Smitty

New terms

by ElectricFrank - 2011-05-29 02:05:59

The FDA authorized the pacer manufacturers to change the names of the replacement indicators recently. I don't have the new ones handy, but at least one change is called Elective Replacement Indicator.

I guess there was some confusion about the End of Life Indicator. Some folks thought is was the end of their life rather than the pacers. LOL Gasp.

By the way, my pacer hadn't switched into the fixed HR mode when I had it replaced, but I still noticed a difference with the new one. I had a Medtronics Kappa 701 and it was replaced by the equivalent ADAPTA series. The settings were nearly the same.

frank

Thank you

by dbryan - 2011-05-29 09:05:34

Hi Catherine,

Thanks for posting this information. Although I have over 5 years to get my pm replaced, I am glad to know what to watch out for.

Hope you will get a replacement soon.

dbryan

relief

by gemmabotfield - 2011-05-30 07:05:48

Hi
I have come on this site today to see if i am imagining things, so glad i have found this question. I have had my pm 4 and a half years and am on waiting list for my 2nd, i feel so strange all the symptoms i had before are back SOB , light headed so so tired.
So glad have read this it has reasuured that i am not imagimng things.
hopefully not to long to wait.
thanks
gemma

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