Battery replacement pacemaker changeout

I live 9,000 miles from my rythem specialaist, and cardiologist. Once I am ready for a battery change, I will travel back to the US. I also have a leaking Mitral valve that is knocking the shxx out of me, causing oxygen deprivation. I will have both attended to upon my return. I cannot afford the thousands of dollars to go back & forth. I go to Makati Medical Ctr in Manila once every 6 months, and have been trackingt my battery charge closely. I was told originally that the batteries would last 5 - 10 years when my St.Jude pacemaker was embedded in my chest 6 years ago. 2 years ago I had 1.5 years of charge remaining, 6 months later I had 1.4, 6 months later 1.5 again: ?, 6 months later 1.4, 6 months later 1.3..................... ? When it was 1.5 we went through the agonizing process of getting a visa for my Filipina wife, only to find out, I still had over a year to go. My point is the inconsistency of battery life testing, and the inability to estimate remaining charge based on past performance.  I am paced at 93%, and have had 2 episodes where the defib. fired. I share this with you all because I am sure you have questions on battery longevity, just like I do. By the way when I went into an episode, I didnt feel much, but passed out, and woke up as my defib. was firing. I have died twice now, and am grateful for every day I am alive.

2 Comments

Battery remaining

by AgentX86 - 2023-01-10 17:43:11

Until you get to about 6mos, when the first replacement indicator activates, the battery gauge is just a SWAG (scientific wild-ass guess) at the remaining charge.  The early replacement indicator is, also, but a little more accurate.  After that, at about 3 months there is another indicator that says "now is the time".  This is a pretty good indicator that you'd better get it replaced real soon.  At this point your pacemaker will shut off all unnecessary functions to preserve the battery.  Given that it's an ICD, it probably isn't a good idea to test this corner.

The ICD firing takes a lot of juice from the battery but your pacing percentage, alone, is usually a small factor.

I'd ask whoever is going to do the replacement what the requirements are.  Make sure they understand that it's a little more complicated than calling an Uber to get there.  Insurance usually has some pretty strict guidelines but perhaps they can be bent, in this case.

Hey Ironman!

by Lavender - 2023-01-12 23:27:42

This sounds complicated and worrisome! I also was told 7-10 years battery life and a year later it was at 6.5 years. It depends on how much you use it. We have to wait and see. I'm glad you're being tested every six months. When it runs down, they will test more often. 

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Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.