Draining battery

At last check my pacemaker was functioning at 88.5%. I have to wait until it is at 86%. I am exhausted today and feeling like my heart rate is slowing down. Can anyone tell me what it felt like to loose the power before needing a replacement?
Thanks

10 Comments

PM Battery Getting Weak

by SMITTY - 2011-02-02 03:02:38

Hi SGM,.

How it will feel when the PM battery runs down will depend on the brand PM you have. However, no matter the brand your heart rate will not get slower and slower because the battery is getting toward the end of its life, say like a flashlight gets dimmer as its battery gets weak.

I have a Medtronic PM and the battery got weak on it and the PM shifted into a battery saving mode. What this meant is the PM started pacing my heart at 67 BPM 100% of the time. In this mode, of which I was very much aware, the PM battery would have lasted at least more months (probably much longer) .

It is my understanding that all makes of PMs have some type battery saving mode like mine which will keep us going until we can get it replaced. So don't worry about that PM battery running down and leaving you high and dry. If your heart rate is slowing down it is not from a weak PM battery and your Dr is the one to tell you why it is happening.

Good luck,

Smitty

Yep - Maybe

by donr - 2011-02-02 03:02:55

If you have a Medtronic, yes.

The Medtronic PM I have, a Kappa series, will monitor itself & when it reaches a certain level switches to a default mode where all it does is pace - absolutely no other functions. It will also drop down to a pulse of 65 BPM. It supposedly can last at that rate for several months.

That happened to me on a Saturday at 1220 PM. I immediately felt like trash, but didn't realize what happened till Mon, when I checked my pulse & it came out a 66. I immediately went to see my cardio & lo & behold, it was dead! My PM, not my cardio! They tested me by turning the PM off for a short while - pulse dropped to 59. I REALLY felt like trash.

So - check your pulse - if it's less than your paced rate, you need to get in ASAP.

Good luck.

Don

Thanks

by sgm - 2011-02-02 04:02:30

Thanks for the responses. I have a St. Jude and know the dr wants to replace it with a medtronic.
I am absolutely dreading the procedure....
sgm

The Second One Is Easier

by SMITTY - 2011-02-02 05:02:44

Hi SGM,

I'm sure you remember getting your first pacemaker? Well, getting the replacement is easier. First, there is little or no anxiety from not knowing what is going to happen. Second, the procedure usually takes a little less time. Third, the restrictions after getting the PM are less severe because they are able to use the old leads which means restrictions on arm use and other physical activity are much less.

I know surgery is surgery, but honestly I found getting the replacement much less of a problem than getting the first one.

Good luck to you,

Smitty

Thanks

by sgm - 2011-02-02 05:02:57

Thanks Smitty,
You made me feel better......I hate the waiting!

Vanity

by sgm - 2011-02-02 10:02:03

Ok, it is easier... I do appreciate the supportive words! How is it to have the same area opened up again...I am a female and there is no muscle to place the pacemaker into...it sits in a very noticeable spot...how does it heal again?
sgm

Anxiety

by donr - 2011-02-02 10:02:49

SGM: I have a Medtronic - thousands of folks have them. Once it's in you, you don't know what it is - it just does its job. You are facing the "Known Devil" syndrome. Don't sweat the mfgr change. You'll be fine.

Like Smitty said, the replacement is a lot easier, psychologically than the original. You now wear the BTDT Tee shirt! He's also right about the physical aspects - nowhere near the arm movement restrictions.

Good luck.

Don

Very simple surgery

by ElectricFrank - 2011-02-03 01:02:03

You have an advantage in that your pacer is implanted near the surface. While it may not be as nice cosmetically it is much easier to replace than the deeper ones.

Others have mentioned that it is an easy surgery. Let me tell you how easy it is. I had mine replaced a year ago and chose to remain totally awake during the procedure with no sedatives. It was done as an out patient and the actual surgery took around an hour. Total hospital time was about 4 hrs, mostly due to an IV antibiotic drip before and after the surgery.

After the surgery I stopped at a restaurant for lunch with a friend, and went for a nap.

There is no restrictions on arm lifting since they use the same leads. Also, there is no need to make a new pocket, which avoids the most traumatic part of the original implant. Healing was relatively fast and never was a problem.

So, go for it,

frank

Thank You

by sgm - 2011-02-03 08:02:44

Thanks so much for the great explanation. I have a very rare response to ALL of the injectable numbing medications. They just dont work at all. So, this time I am having general anesthesia so I anticipate it taking all day. It is good to know it will be an easier procedure.
I will keep you all updated.....can't wait until it is over!!!
sgm

Much less swelling, if any

by SaraTB - 2011-02-03 12:02:00

I understand your concern about whether the replacement procedure will be like the original implant. One thing that pleased me very much was that there was no swelling or bruising in the pocket area. The pocket has already been created, so the whole procedure was much simpler.

I had a lot of swelling the first time, and have a small build, so it was noticeable, and uncomfortable. The replacement was no trouble at all.
My EP uses conscious sedation, via an i.v. - but I had a bad reaction to Versed, so they used Fentanyl instead. Had a long discussion about it a few days before the procedure. It only took a morning, and I was free to go home by 1.30pm. Hope it goes as smoothly for you.
Sara

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