Using too much energy

I had a pacemaker put in about 6 weeks ago for AV block. No symptoms at all. The block was picked up on my annual physical. I am 70 years old, very active lifestyle so I was debating about whether I needed it. I opted to have it put in. Next question; MRI compatible or regular. I chose the MRI compatible. Now the issue: My check-up yesterday indicated I am using too much energy to pace when needed, meaning the lead may not be in far enough or the area it is in is not the right spot. The Doctor said my battery may last only 4 years at the current rate of use. Two options: Wait for 4 years or have them go in now to reposition the lead. I opted for going in now. Any thoughts? Any thoughts on why my pacemaker is not performing well? Tojo

6 Comments

leads

by Tracey_E - 2014-01-07 01:01:43

When you think about it, it's amazing they are ever able to get a lead positioned correctly. The heart is beating and moving the whole time, they are doing it remotely and watching via camera. Sometimes they can't get an ideal spot. Sometimes they get an ideal spot but the lead moves as it settles in. For the first year, the leads can be manipulated and repositioned. After that, scar tissue holds them in place tightly and a laser sheath is required to remove them. If you wait until the battery goes, you'll either be adding a new lead, which may or may not fit in the vein with what's there now. If it does fit, it's easy. If it does not fit, they do an extraction, which is with the sheath. Continuing to use the current lead is not an option after 4 years. Best to do it now while it's easy.

thanks

by tojo - 2014-01-07 04:01:36

Thank you TraceyE for your comments. It makes me feel better about going in now. I hope they can reposition it without using a sheath now. Thanks again. tojo

reposition

by Tracey_E - 2014-01-07 05:01:52

Under a year they do not need a sheath, they can just go in and shift it where they want it. You'll find this surgery is much easier than the last one. Most of what makes us sore the first time is creating the pocket. Unfortunately your 6 weeks of restrictions is going to start over. Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

Hopeful

by tojo - 2014-01-15 01:01:09

I had the lead revision last week. They searched around for a new site and after several tries they found a spot that had the right numbers. I spent the night in the hospital and they put my left arm in a sling to remind me to keep it under wraps for awhile to let the lead settle in. I have an appointment with the doc on Friday and the Medtronic rep will be there to test the numbers. If ok, I will gradually get back into my normal lifestyle.

One concern I have is that I now feel a slight "ping" internally as the pacemaker is sending an electrical charge. It seems to be happening more frequently than it did when first put in. Is this common? Do others feel the internal "ping" sensation when the pacemaker is discharging?

doing ok

by tojo - 2014-01-20 07:01:04

I am now 11 days post revision and doing ok. I kept my arm in a sling for the first 7 days; then the numbers were checked and they were back to normal. So, the lead is now doing what it is supposed to do at the right amount of energy. I still keep the arm in the sling for most of the day and will do so until about the 14th day. No heavy lifting, pushing or pulling for another 2 weeks; then I am guessing I can resume most activities. I am planning to go skiing the first week of March. That will be 7 weeks and 3 days after the procedure. Any thoughts on whether that is pushing the envelop?

Almost a year

by tojo - 2014-09-21 05:09:41

Well, it has been almost a year now living with a pacemaker and I hardly know it is in me. I'm back to doing what I like to do; golf, fish, run, bike (did a 150 miler several months ago) travel and work around the house. I did have a check-up last month and he said I was still using it about 50% of the time to give a signal to the ventricle. Seems a lot to me but he said it should be good for between 5 and 7 years. Other than that, I don't have any problems. I feel blessed. Hopefully, by the time I need a replacement, they will be the size of 50 cent piece and renewable remotely. We shall see.

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