Pacemaker just went into safe mode

I would seek help for the shortness of breath

by Gemita - 2023-08-25 06:24:38

Lulu, your comments clearly indicate that you are on your second pacemaker and therefore heading for the second pacemaker change so I am assuming you will already know what to expect in terms of potential symptoms and length of time it will take to have a replacement?

Symptoms should always count and if your symptoms are causing you difficulty, you should always seek early medical advice.  

So what symptoms did you have when your first pacemaker started showing signs of battery depletion and how long did it take for your team to replace your first device?

Be assured your device won’t suddenly stop.   Although I haven't had a replacement device (still on first implant) I have been told that when a device is in elective replacement mode, say around 6 months before device needs replacing, it is still fully functional for about 3 more months.  After this time it apparently goes into end of service or end of life mode which is when it cuts back on some of its pacing functions and we may not feel quite so good, for example our lower rate limit may run slightly lower than our usual set limit.  

Shortness of breath is not a symptom however that we should expect automatically from a low battery or should tolerate without urgent treatment and care, since it could be caused by a change in your heart condition or caused by another serious health condition and will need assessing quickly for your own safety.   It can have many causes, some more serious than others, so I hope you have told your doctors about this?

I hope all goes well for you

EOS

by Tracey_E - 2023-08-25 09:40:07

Does your PA know it's already switched modes? I'd try to get in sooner, or tell them you want to schedule surgery before being seen, not be seen then schedule. Does this doctor do it or do they refer out? Sometimes you have to be pushy to get past the staff. They're trying to protect the doctor but they aren't doctors so do not know when something is truly an emergency vs when someone just wants to be seen. 

 If you have a home monitor, have you sent a report? It's pretty obvious it's switched but they may want to see it for themselves. 

I'm on my 5th. It's taken anywhere from a week to a month to have the replacement done, depends on how busy they are. I've never had it go to EOS, tho, so there was never a rush.  

Take it easy until you get your new one. Airports might be a challenge. Can someone go with you and carry your bags? If there are stairs you might need assistance.  Your rate isn't going up now so keep that in mind- don't do anything that would normally make your rate go up. 

RRT/ERI

by AgentX86 - 2023-08-25 16:00:44

It seems that there isn't much difference on this model.  Both RT and ERI set he rate at 65bpm.  The datasheet doesn't say anything about disabling other functions,

Pacemaker datasheet:

<https://www.medtronic.com/content/dam/medtronic-com/01_crhf/brady/pdfs/200601057cENp6_adapta_dr_pacing_system_spec%20Sheet.pdf>

Safe Mode

by Good Dog - 2023-08-25 16:32:47

You are in the elective replacement period with three months remaining and after that, then end-of-life for another three months. At end-of-life the pacemaker is designed to gradually shut-down functionality to preserve battery life further. Your device is currently only pacing your ventricle and your heart is obviously way out of sync. That is why you feel like crap. Call your Doctor's Office and tell them you need to be admitted as soon as is reasonbly possible.

Frankly, it almost seems sadistic that we have to go through this for insurance reasons (apparently). There is no reason why a huge company like Medtronic and the doctors allow for this. They really should devise a way to determine that you need a new generator without making you suffer. It is sad.

If I were you I'd be very firm with your Doc and ask to get you in ASAP.

You will be fine as this is not dangerous, you just feel like crap. Apparently everyone but the patient is just fine with that. I say that, because I've been there and done that....and It was awful!

I wish you the very best.

Sincerely,

Dave

Safe Mode

by Lulu2468 - 2023-08-26 12:14:10

Greetings!  Thank you for so many helpful, polite answers to my question about going into safe mode.  I wanted to reply but other than PM, I couldn't find a way.  
Please excuse if this is not how to do this.  
I really can't recall the details of my last battery change in 2009 except that I kept asking the (cute) surgeon if he was married and where did he live about 5 times.🤭 haha.

I knew the end was near and made my remote transmission as usual on the 22nd.  They called me to let me know that yep, my device was  in the 65 bpm mode and the first appointment was this coming Wed.  I'm on the waitlist.   I agree it's kind of outrageous we have to wait for it to actually switch modes before we can get a new battery, especially since the estimates of life left vary greatly and my first pm lasted  11 years; not the 8-10 I was told.  Anyway.  I'm going to ask in the portal if they can go ahead and schedule the surgery before I actually talk  to the PA.  I'm sure things have changed since my last replacement in 2009.  It's probably out patient now and maybe it was before but can't recall.

The amazing thing is I went to a camp alumni reunion this  past weekend . On the 18th I ran around doing activities like zip lining, horseback riding, canoeing etc- iPhone said I went up 28 floors- and that was after the switch on the 15th, which I was unaware of.  I couldn't figure out why my 77 Yr old bunkmate was running around camp no problem and I was absolutely wiped out!  I'm 68.  The next day I got a 2 hour massage off campus vs doing the camp activities.  Felt good but still wiped out, Then  I learned my sister had a heart attack and I really was concerned so actually relieved when I got the call about my change of pm status.  
These devices are awesome.  Take a licking and keep on ticking.  I got ticked off with a  billing issue years ago  and didn't go in or do remotes for 5 years, knowing it had plenty of life left.  Bad patient!  Will be glad to get the new device so I can resume normal activities.

Thanks again for all the great responses!