No change

Hi -

I'm new to this group. I have a concern - maybe you can help. I had a Guidant/Boston Scientific PM installed in 2008. I was told the battery life would be 5-7 years. Starting at the end of last year, my check ups showed less than 6 months of battery life. Since that time, I have been having the PM checked every month. EVERY TIME, the reading is exactly the same. I have the printouts of the longevity remaining and the little graphic showing how much time till I get to ERT (elective replacement time) and the gauge has not moved in 5 months. They will not replace the PM until I get to ERT but I can't understand how I can have "less than 6 months" with no change for 5 months now. I am told that I am pacing 100% of the time.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Mary Lou

6 Comments

My experience

by Chels - 2013-05-15 02:05:28

Hi Mary Lou, I'm no expert and we are all different but I would not be concerned about this. I am also 100% dependent and I have been on monthly checks for almost two years and I'm still going strong. Sometimes they can hang for a while and then when they go they can go fast, that's why they monitor you so closely. I would just enjoy not needing surgery for a while. When/if it does go, you will know. And it won't just turn off, it will go into safe mode of 65 bpm. Then after a few months it will start shutting off certain functions slowly. Plenty of time for you to get fixed. Like I said, I was told I would need my battery replaced definitely last year (at the beginning of last year at that) and when I went in last week I was told still another 1-7 months left. I'm having it replaced sooner for other reasons but you can be rest assured they monitor it closely. And if worst comes to worst, you have plenty of time to get a new battery while it keeps you going even if battery does go into safe mode.

guesses

by Tracey_E - 2013-05-15 03:05:04

It's all just guesses! The time is usually a range, like 3-6 months instead of saying 6 months because they really don't know for sure. They try to predict it based on your current usage and the impedence (might be called something else, but it's a number they watch). The battery life isn't like the gas tank on a car that goes down gradually. It stays the same, stays the same, stays the same, plummets.

Once you get to ERT, you have about 3 months before it gets to EOL, which is what Chels described with limited function. EOL lasts about 3 months also. ERT feels the same. I'm on #4 and have never gone into EOL. As soon as it hits ERT, I schedule and get it done.

When I get under 3 months, I switch to monthly checks so there are no surprises.

time left

by Alma Annie - 2013-05-15 07:05:57

That is all interesting. I have just had a 3 monthly check. I have had pm nearly 2 years and am 100% paced. I have been told 8 years left. Two check ups ago I was told 7 years left. I seem to think that pm does not always record time left accurately. However if I felt things were not working properly I would contact EP asap.

On another issue, I had never thought that the insertion of my pm was actually surgery until I joined this site. I always thought it was just a procedure!

Anyway I am sure everything will be ok and that you will have your new battery when it is needed. Please don't worry but do keep us informed.
All the best

Alma Annie

Annie

by Tracey_E - 2013-05-16 12:05:10

It's never accurate because it's always just a guess but it sounds like they may have adjusted some settings. The estimate is calculated based on your usage and settings at the time they check it. My rep is always tinkering with mine, turning down everything he can, turning off anything I don't use in order to make the battery last longer.

My #2 PM lasted over 8 yrs

by janetinak - 2013-05-16 12:05:30

but I was told in 12/10 that I needed monthly checks as it was going to be needing it replaced "soon" so I was checked in the office every month from Jan to July & stayed the same. Then about a wk or so after July check up I went into Elective Replacement & I knew it right. So I called up & went in & told the tech that my time had come & sure enough it had. So got replaced with-in 2 wks & all went well.

Also all of mine have been Guidant/Boston Scientific with rate responsive turned on & PM shut that off when went into ERP. :-)

Hope that helps,

Janet

Bonnie

by bonniefox - 2013-05-28 07:05:41

I was very interested in your questions and the comment responses since I am going through a very similar experience. I also have had a Boston Scientific pacemaker for 6 years and ,like you, the battery has been reading less than 6 months for 5 months. Medicare will not cover replacement until it gets to ERP.
So frustrating and like waiting for the other shoe to drop!
I am quite an active Senior so the thought that the "rate response" will turn off when ERP is reached is not very comforting especially since we have plans to be out of the country this summer. But there doesn't seem to be any answer to this conundrum!

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