trying to acquire any and all info re: my recalled pacemaker

I would really like to chat with other people out there who are in the same situation that I am in. Whatever info I can gather so that when I go into meet with the Guidant Rep. he won't be able to tell me any BS! Please help me!

6 Comments

Don't Trust Guidant

by ted - 2008-02-06 02:02:57

I also have a recalled Guidant. Personally I would not trust anyone connected with the Guidant company to tell you the truth. This is the company that knew it's units were defective and yet hid news of the defects for years until exposed by the N.Y. Times. Meanwhile our doctors were lulled into implanting Guidant products into unsuspecting patients. Guidant knew that people were dying but kept quiet so doctors would keep on implanting their junk. Guidant placed profits and greed over human lives. Guidant is guilty of murder. No doctor should ever implant another Guidant. We must boycott this monster. Get some independent EP or former Guidant employee to answer your concerns. Don't trust Guidant. They lied before and they will lie again. Good luck.

wow

by jessie - 2008-02-06 04:02:57

ted i did not realize just what was done to you and others by this company. i sure would not trust them either now. it is only lately that i felt strong enough to read this material. we really must boycott this monster. take care jessie

Saddened...

by bunnykin - 2008-02-06 05:02:43

I am saddened to hear of such news basically I'm in the same boat except that it may be another manufacturer I have to deal with. But story is still the same. Why is integrity overwhelmed by greed everyday in lives of gigantic corporations! Worse of all their products are to give life not to risk them....
I'm also having an ICD ventricular lead that's on recall soon after it's been implanted; Apparently the company had notion of the wire fracture problem more than 6 months before my implant but nothing was said until after over a year into my surgery.
I'm of the impression that we're at the mercies of these people and we really need powerful lawyers otherwise we'll never be heard.
My case is like..."too bad it's on recall, you monitor it meanwhile and we'll pay for your wire if it breaks in future.The pain of surgery, hospital fees etc is really your business. Just too bad!" We're so short-changed isn't it.

I hope you'll be properly rewarded with the correct treatment and care. All the best and warm regards.
Bunnykin

Check you serial number

by Jules - 2008-02-06 07:02:36

Have you checked that your Guidant is on the recall list.

When I first knew that my pm was a guidant I went into panic. I too telephoned the company in Boston. No help there.

My husband went onto a site in the states, which is similar to our control of products in England. There I saw that for me I am lucky my is not one of them.

Worth checking.

Ask them to mail letter

by VonnieVern - 2008-02-06 08:02:59

I went online and saw the the model numer is on the recall list, but this was before I got PM. I called Boston Scientific/Guidant. They asked for the serial number and said mine wasn't one of the recalled ones. I said, "OK, please send me that statement in writing." They verified my address, and said they would mail it. If something comes up later, at least I may have their statement in writing.
Vonnie

papaknight

by papaknight - 2008-05-30 06:05:29

Sorry to hear about your problems but I fear that there may be far more experiencing them than we suspect. I had a St Judes ICD implanted and it failed to function when my heart stopped. Luckly I was in a hospital elevator and wa revived. Now I find out that they knew it would not work if needed but did nothing. It was replaced with a medtronic and guess what.. the leads are on the recall list. What are the chances of this if the chances of problems are as low as the companies reps claim. My advise is don't trust any of them. Best of luck to you and yours
Kirby Knight

You know you're wired when...

Trade secrets can be smuggled inside your device.

Member Quotes

As for my pacemaker (almost 7 years old) I like to think of it in the terms of the old Timex commercial - takes a licking and keeps on ticking.