Pm battery didn't last as expected

Hi! I wonder if anybody is having the same problem like me. I have a medtronic dual pm implanted back in Jan 2007 due to a complete heart block. I was told then that the battery would last 10 years. Then on Oct 11 i went for a check up and my cardiologist said the battery needs to be changed ... Soon. The battery warning light came on last week of July. He saidbwhen that warning comes on, the battery needs to be changed within 3 months. So it bothered me that my cardiologist waited on the last minute to tell me the unexpected news. So i'm up for surgery this wednesday Oct 17th. Hopefully it will go well so imcan get back to work soon.

4 Comments

Almost 6 yrs.

by ldebaugh - 2012-10-15 04:10:34

If you are 100% paced that might be normal. I'm 100% paced and have had mine in since Feb 2012 and the average battery life left that's listed on my PM reports is 5 years remaining. So the St. Jude PM match the Medtronic in longevity (at least mine to yours).

However I'm getting this St. Jude Accent traded up for a St. Jude Anthem in November. No emergency this time, as an outpatient, and no drama.
M'Liz

Let us know!

by ldebaugh - 2012-10-15 05:10:37

Dear steviesmom,
Please let us know after you have the PM replaced, how you are doing. Also how long it takes you to heal and get back to work.
Sending best wishes that you do extremely well.
M'Liz

Sounds fairly normal

by SaraTB - 2012-10-15 07:10:14

You said you have complete heart block, so you are being paced 100% of the time - I have the same condition and my first pacemaker lasted only 6 years. No-one can be precise about how long the battery will last, because it's dependent on how your body uses it: if the "10 years" comment was made by a nurse or someone who didn't know the exact reason for you implant, then that would explain it: many people who only use the PM say 35% of the time will have it last 10 years or more.

Were you having regular check ups at your doctor's office? I go every 6 months, and on each occasion the download will show anticipated battery life remaining, so you should have had some indication that it was unlikely to be 10 years.

The pacemaker will enter into an elective replacement mode - where it uses less energy - and this would have been picked up during your check up, or phone check if you were having those in between doctor's office appointments. Even after 3 months, I believe there is another period of time where it paces you before stopping, say, another 3 months.

I am very sensitive to changes in pacing, and actually felt when my PM went into elective replacement mode, called the doctor, who confirmed it, and was booked in for replacement the following week: many doctors act swiftly, for your comfort, even if it's not a matter of absolute urgency.

I hope this gives you some reassurance that you are not experiencing something unusual: talk to your doctor about your concerns though, if you had a check since July, as someone should have noticed it at that time.

Keep us up to date with your progress, and good luck with the new PM: the procedure is much simpler than the original implant. Feel well!

Thanks!

by steviesmom - 2012-10-16 01:10:03

I used to transmit over phone every 3 months. Then i got a letter back in June to schedule for a yearly appt. but my doctor couldn't see me until last thursday. My doctor was the one who told me it will last 10 years. Now he's saying this one he'll put in will last 10-12 years, i hope so.
It's funny that you mentioned experiencingnsomething unusual bec for the past 2 months i have been having shooting pains and numbness in both arms and both legs. It's strange, and yes i feel weaker now and unable to tolerate activities that i used to do.

So tomorrow is my surgery... I'll keep you all posted. I hope this time will be less complicated than the first time. It was put in when i was 8 months pregnant so it was pretty scary.

You know you're wired when...

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