LEADS AND SETTINGS

I have a Medtronic PM with one (1) lead. What determines one lead or two?? I have my PM checked as schedules and have my stress test, as required.

The settings on my PM have never been adjusted, 7 years old. I have questioned this several times, but my question is just fluffed off.

I am 75 years old, have always been very active, but now I am so tired ALL OF THE TIME that I can't stay awake, or even function. Would adjusting the settings help, or having another lead help.

DESPERATE!!!!!

8 Comments

also

by jessie - 2012-08-21 01:08:30

you may need a dual lead. i am 71 and have lots of energy as long as i am sensible and go to bed.

Fluffed off

by ElectricFrank - 2012-08-21 01:08:35

Don't put up with it. Early on I had the doc walk out without answering my questions so I just stayed in the examining room. When the nurse came by to tell me I could leave I told her I was going to sit there until my questions were answered. The doc was back shortly.

At 75 you should know that us old duffers ('m 82) have some tricks up our sleeve.

frank

I have one lead also pacing my

by janetinak - 2012-08-21 01:08:50

ventricles as post AV node ablation. But when did you get last PM check up? I wonder if after 7 yrs your PM may be in Elective Replacement Time. I'd go in ASAP & get it checked. When I went into ERT I was very tired & had 3 months to get changed out. They did sooner tho.

Might not be the case but worth checking out.

Janet

pacing

by Tracey_E - 2012-08-21 03:08:13

It could be your settings, but it could also be something else. Have you been to your internist and had a full work up? It gets easy to blame everything on the pm, but sometimes it's something else going on.

When a dr blows you off consistently and doesn't answer questions, it's time to find a new dr. They are not all like that.

One, Two or Three Leads

by pacemaker writer - 2012-08-21 03:08:46

Each lead paces a particular area of the heart. If you have one lead, you most likely have a ventricular pacing (pacing only the heart's lower chamber, specifically the right ventricle). People with two leads pace the upper chambers (right atrium) and right ventricle. Some devices are set up to pace the right and left ventricles plus the right atrium--those guys get three leads.

be assertive

by ILoominatedEKG - 2012-08-21 04:08:44

I have been comnplaining about inordinate chest pain since the 2nd day after implantation 3 weeks ago. Today, they did a CAT scan and discovered that the lead went all of the way through my heart. But before they would investigate, I had to threaten to take the pacemaker out of my chest with t box knife and a pair of vice grips.
Sometimes the doctors get a little arrogant and some serious prodding. If you KNOW something is wrong, don't stop bugging them until they really do something.

Yikes

by ElectricFrank - 2012-08-22 01:08:43

That borders on malpractice. I like your approach though. Sounds like something I would do.

Back in 2004 when my block showed up I would up being told that even with my HR of 35 that I had a 2 hour wait in ER. One of the options I discussed with my wife is that I would just fall over out of my chair, and she would scream. As it was we decide to just go home and call the doc in the morning. But I've always wondered how it would have worked.

frank

Hmmmmm

by ILoominatedEKG - 2012-08-24 01:08:09

That gives me ideas......LOL

You know you're wired when...

You have a maintenance schedule just like your car.

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