Pacemaker problem?

questions: we all have them

by Gotrhythm - 2018-01-26 16:18:38

I understand, "I'm terrified they won't find anything." [smile] Been there.

The obvious questions are "What are the symptoms I might experience as my device approaches End of Service?" And "Is this pulsing sensation being caused by something the pacer is doing because it is approaching EOS?"

End of Service

by LondonAndy - 2018-01-26 20:26:36

My thoughts are also like Gotrhythm's, and that you may be experiencing "end of life" symptoms (end of the device's life, not yours!) where the pacemaker could be going into basic operation mode - ie continuing to operate but not with all the features working.  When trying to Google what the symptoms are for EOL for a St Jude Victory pacemaker, I came across an article suggesting that, as they get close to battery replacement time, they may "dip into" EOL mode but then recover for a bit.  This might explain why the A & E people didn't find anything.

See https://www.sjmglobal.com/professionals/resources-and-reimbursement/technical-resources/technical-insights/nonlatching-pacemakers?halert=show&clset=92f57278-460e-4300-b7fe-89e52a04194f%3acadddb93-fcc4-47f2-8ceb-fd88f01ca17f 

I have a Medtronic pacemaker, and at my first annual checkup I asked the technician what the symptoms of EOL are.  He set my pacemaker into this mode and said to gently walk down the corridor to see.  It felt like my heart had got noticably heavier, and he said that things like 'rate response' do not work at that point (but the device keeps going for ages, so you are not in imminent danger or anything).

The dizzy/light headed feeling could be something you experience if your blood pressure is going low as a result of slow pulse as a result of 'basic mode' - you can check if you have your own blood pressure meter at home of course. If the lower figure is going below 60 then be careful about driving etc.

Thank you :-)

by CatrionaEilidh - 2018-01-27 11:41:57

Thank you for all of the replies, it looks like there’s a general consensus here about what it could be...so I’ll be sure to ask on Monday about EOL. 

At my last check up (December) I was confirmed as being in MOL2 with 18 months minimum left so I guess I’d discounted the possibility of going into EOL so soon after that, however the article LondonAndy references certainly suggests it could be a possibility for my particular model. 

Wish me luck for Monday, where hopefully I’ll get some answers!

C.x

*Update*

by CatrionaEilidh - 2018-01-30 04:37:22

So for those interested, I had an appointment yesterday and as soon as they put the magnet on my chest, an alert popped up on the screen, “this device is in backup VVI mode” 

What a relief to find a reason for the symptoms I’d been experiencing! 

Initially the thinking was to replace the device urgently, however thankfully the manufacturer managed to talk my pacemaker technician through the steps to reset the device. 

So I'm home, with no imminent surgery in my future!

C.x

Same happened to me

by Carol - 2018-02-11 16:45:05

I had a pacer check and was told I had minimal time ( 1 month to 1 year) left on battery- they’d been telling me that for the last couple of interrogations....and I said no to their wish to get me on the surgery schedule.  Welllllll, just one week later I felt an incredible “tumbling sensation” in my chest and then I became aware that no matter what I did movement wise my HR wouldn’t rise above 62(if I remember right).  I called my pacer clinic and sent in a remote tracing and just like you the Red Flag was waving.  I was in safety mode and had it replaced a week later.  That was a miserable week for me and believe me I won’t wait that long next time... I’ll listen to my clinics recommendations!