Please help eri mode!

time for a new one

by Tracey_E - 2016-07-10 08:38:20

Unfortunately this is normal if it switches modes before they can do the replacement. Know that you are perfectly safe! It feels awful because all the extra functions have been turned off, but it won' t let your rate get dangerously low. Push to get it done asap, until then take it easy and rest as much as you can. Part of why you are feeling bad is because your rate is no longer going up when you are active. Good luck!!! If you hadn't already heard, replacements are a piece of cake. s

I had the same situation

by zawodniak2 - 2016-07-10 12:27:37

My first pace maker went into this mode about a week before I was scheduled for my first replacement,  Definately locked in at 65 bpm.  Each day after it switched to ERI I felt progressively weaker, but I could still function.  My lower limit had been set at 60 bpm, so if I was resting I did not feel real bad.  I must say the Medtronic tech, cardiologist and EP were on top of the situation and were scheduling my interrogation at shorted cycles in the last several months.  My finger pulse/oximeter really came in handy during this period and confirmed a steady 65 bpm.  I reccommend anyone with a pace maker to have one of these.  They are very accurate and beat trying to take your own pulse.  Can be purchased at Walmart for about $29.

                                            Rodger 

ERI

by Good Dog - 2016-07-10 14:46:31

I really wish that the manufacturer would allow a technician to change the PM back to normal operation instead of forcing some of us to suffer with feeling so crappy for so long. I say some of us, because (supposedly) there are some folks that really don't feel so bad in this mode.

The reason you feel so bad is that the PM is pacing only the ventricle while in ERI. Your heart is beating out-of-sync. It is safe, but can be very uncomfortable. 

Thanks

by microninja74 - 2016-07-10 16:49:28

Thank you everyone it definitely a scary feeling almost like your going to die but the thing is my body is very sensitive to any change so I almost notice instantly it can come in handy but also a real pain. The other question is has anybody ever experience getting really hot and jittery? It could just be from me freaking out about it it just really sucks my doctors didn't take the time to explain this stuff to me besides just telling me it's in eri mode and my heart beat could be 5 to 10 beats slower. Thanks again everyone for the comments.

I am with you

by Good Dog - 2016-07-10 17:39:31

I agree that the doc's and the tech's sometimes seem like they just don't take the time to explain some stuff. Although I do remember my Pacer Tech telling me that I may feel kinda crummy if I hit ERI mode. When it happened I felt so bad that I thought I might die. I don't know how she could have prepared me for that. I couldn't reach anyone at my Cardiologist's office. The lady that answers the phone didn't think my situation was a big deal and even the Doc's nurse wasn't really sure what was going-on. When I didn't hear back from them within a couple hours I went to the ER. That was a joke. They ended-up calling the manufacturer and was informed that there is nothing they could do. So after about 4 hours, they just discharged me. Although it was my 3rd generator, it was the first time I hit ERI before having it changed. 

As far as feeling hot and jittery, I can't say for sure, but my guess is that it is just stress. My advice is that you try to relax as best you can and as long as you can rest, you should be able to be somewhat comfortable. If not, there is no reason you can't call your Cardiologist and ask to be seen. Maybe it is possible to move-up your scheduled surgery. You should check-out that possibility also. They may be able to get you in within a couple of days? I wish you the very best!

Sincerely,

David