Early replacement

Since implant my pm has had to be cranked up high in order for it to capture. They have no idea why. They had considered, about 6 weeks post implant, going back in to check to see if the leads were up against a wall of my heart. They opted against that (I didn't know then what I know now which is moving those leads is dangerous.) So, I'm scheduled to have my battery replaced just 3 years after implant. I suffer from panic disorder and, though I shouldn't, I read far too much and it's all confusing. Some articles say that every time you have the battery replaced your longevity decreases. Others say the opposite. The other "scare" is I've read there is a high incidence of endocarditis even 2 yrs post procedure. That's a long time to fret. I don't want sugar coating. I want to know the truth about your experiences. I'm 67, obese, but otherwise in good health. When they did my cardiac cath prior to implant they said that I had very minimal plaque build up, large vessels for a woman and oddly (oddly because of my weight) the heart of someone in their mid 30's. I have total heart block. Since implant I've eaten far better, I exercise 30 minutes a day as well. I have not lost a pound...sigh. Ok, that is about it. I hope for some responses. I can handle WHATEVER it is IF I know. It's what I don't know that totally freaks out. Thanks!

2 Comments

leads

by Tracey_E - 2016-04-25 08:04:48

Take a deep breath! This is not a big deal, no reason to fret.

Are they redoing your leads this time? In hindsight, sounds like maybe they should have done it at the first sign of problems. When they have to crank it up, it means the lead is either impeded or not in a good place. They can't just move it after the first year, but they can easily put a new one in if needed. Most of us have plenty of room for 3-4 leads without going through extraction to take the old one out. I had that happen but it was an older lead that went bad and sucked down the battery in two years. We added a new one at the same time the device was replaced, no big deal, and now my battery life is normal again.

I have never, ever heard that longevity decreases with replacements, and it doesn't make sense that it would because all they do is pop out the old device and put in a new one. How could that possibly shorten our lives?! If leads are good, they don't mess with them. Fact is, there aren't enough of us who are otherwise young and healthy that have been paced long enough to do any meaningful studies but my doctor has always told me that the pacer fixes my heart block and I can expect to live as long as anyone else with a normal heart, probably longer because having the heart condition means I'm well monitored and I'm very aware of what I eat and how much I exercise.

Endocarditis happens the first few weeks, usually because of problems with the lead damaging the heart. I have never heard of it happening at random after the first few weeks.

I think it's time to stop reading studies!!!

Weight loss is 10% how much you move, 90% what you eat. If what you are doing isn't working, get some blood work to make sure nothing is going on then ask your doctor for a recommendation what would be a good plan for you moving forward. It's great that you are eating better and moving, don't let lack of weight loss discourage you. I am super strict about my diet 90% of the time and do Crossfit 5 days a week, and haven't lost an ounce so I totally get where you are coming from. Frustrating but I know I'm strong, my stamina is excellent, so I try not to pout too much that the scale never moves.

Our hearts have electrical short circuits, structurally they are usually perfectly normal. It would be kind of crazy for us NOT to take care of ourselves, we don't want to bring on new problems by not eating well. So, kudos, keep up the good work, maybe ask your gp for some advice about tweaking the diet and rule out anything with hormones or thyroid that are slowing your metabolism.

Replacements are a piece of cake! Most of the soreness the first time is from creating the pocket, which they do not need to do this time. They can go in through the scar tissue. I got #5 in Feb. I was sitting at the drive through of McDonalds inhaling an egg mcmuffin at 11am, home napping by noon. My sister came by that night to cook dinner. I could have done it myself but chose to keep quiet and let her cook :) Three days later I was out walking, and after a week I was whining that I wasn't allowed back to the gym yet (infection risk at incision, no sweating or gym germs for 4 weeks). Piece of cake. Please don't waste energy worrying over things that are very simple and very low risk. I've had 5 replacements, one lead replacement, never had a complication. I am the norm, not the exception.

I agree

by Nicole33 - 2016-04-26 02:04:48

Hi. I totally agree with everything TraceyE stated. Thought it might help with your anxiety if I shared my experience with leads.

My initial ICD implant was done January 2005. Fast forward 10 years and imagine this~

I was sitting on my couch eating some breakfast, watching tv. Felt good. All of a sudden I hear three beeps. Thought to myself that was weird. I ruled it out to be something on the tv. Then I heard again. Three beeps. By this point, I knew that it wasn't the tv. Not sure what it was at this point. So, I muted the tv and sat there. Sure enough three beeps could be heard and they were coming from ME!!!!! My ICD was beeping at me.

Needless to say, I freaked out. (I suffer from extreme anxiety and PTSD). This was a Saturday morning so my EP wasn't in the office, I called the emergency after hours #. They told me to go directly to my local ER. Once I arrived, they were actually waiting for me. My EP had called and told them I was coming.

Long story shortened up a bit~ my ICD was beeping because one of the leads had actually broken. (Not sure if you remember the Medtronic lead recall years ago but I actually had the leads that were recalled for that exact reason). That was Saturday. By Monday I was in surgery having my ICD replaced. My EP couldn't remove the broken lead so I walk around with it in my vein to this day.

There is hardly any pain when you have a replacement procedure. I remember the first 48 hours were very uncomfortable but bearable.

On another note, why would the dr tell you crap like replacements shorten your life?? What an idiot. On that statement, I would have found another EP!!!

Just know this~ replacements are a complete breeze compared to the initial implant just like TraceyE said. Secondly, the leads are made well but with anything in medical science, it can break or tear up. Nothing is a given.

My wish for you is that you realize that you are doing all that you can do to better your health. As well as the simple fact that you should try not to be anxious over something that's out of anyone's hands. Focus on your life today and do the best you can do for yourself.

Sending strength and courage,
Nicole

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