dislodged leads

I had my dual pacemaker put in in 2009 , recently had to have generator replaced August 2016

When for my 3 month device check and they tell me they don't understand how it could be ,or if my medicare ins. will pay for it  !  But apparently  one of my leads has become loosed . now i am confused and worried as to what happened or what i am going to have to do next , i have a lack of medical knowledge or what questions should i be asking when i go back to heart doc in jan.  2017 , I am concerned  and upsetting to me !! Having another Echo and Chest X ray today . If they don't know  " For The Life Of Them "  what could have caused this , or " If my Ins. will pay for this or not "  ...  But " not to Worry , get these test and come back in Jan "   . Then , what questions or infor should I be trying to ask or What ??????   Am I looking at another Out Pt. General Surgery or Have to go to Cardiac Surgeant in Knoxville , Tn ?  Wondering Now ?

2 Comments

second opinion

by Tracey_E - 2016-12-20 21:50:56

I would highly recommend a second opinion before having any surgery. First of all, 7 year old leads do not come loose or dislodge. It takes a special laser to get them out because they are in so tight. Leads go bad, but after the first few months they do not come loose in the heart. If it is loose where it connects to the device (which I have never heard of but if they used the word loose that is the ONLY place it could be loose), then they didn't do something right when they did your replacement. 

That said, leads do go bad. Average life is 15 years but it can be much more or much less than that. If that's the case, they can usually just add a new one if you only have two in there. Not a complicated procedure, and there's no reason at all why insurance would not cover it. Which takes me back to my first suspicion, that they didn't connect it correctly. 

New leads can either be outpatient or overnight, depends on the doctor. 

It happened to me

by OIMAPRINCESS2477 - 2016-12-24 23:20:24

I can say that it is totally possible to have your leads come loose. I know why mine happened though. 

I was in a horrible car accident 1 year ago, and the impact of my crash caused my leads to loosen. There for it took more voltage to get it to properly pace correctly. 

I was super lucky though. I literally left my pacemaker check and 20 minutes later was in my car accident. So they are able to tell 100% that the accident is what caused them to come loose. 

Have you fallen lately? Had an accident? I would def get a 2nd opinion before deciding on surgery. 

Good Luck

Brittny

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Hi, I am 47 and have had a pacemaker for 7 months and I’m doing great with it.