Most Recent Messages in Batteries & Leads

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New to this crazyness

I had an St. Jude ICD installed 3 weeks ago and am trying to mentally cope with my new situation. I have been extremely active my whole life and get depress at the thought of my new limitations. I'm actually very uncertain of my limitations!

In my 2 week post surgery visit, my doctor gave me a Merlin monitor to use at my bedside.
Are these monitors necessary? Are they just an monthly annuity stream for the doctors? Does the daily monitoring consume the battery, and if so is it s...

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Change of Battery

I had an implanted dual chamber pacemaker model 2364L of st judes in 1999 dec. What is battery life for this model. I don't have syncope but wants to know, when i should visit doctor for replacement of battery? Also, please suggests me few very good doctor who can implants pacemaker at Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Regards,
Subhendu Dutta

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Update on 85-year-old man

Just want to post an update on my dear husband's condition. Had Medtronic PM implanted on January 3, 2014, for sick sinus syndrome. After problems with DVT in arm (placed on Xarelto), emergency trip to ER with severe chest pains 2 weeks after implant, and 6 weeks ago at first interrogation was suspected to have problems with proper placement of leads which could lead to subsequent problems with battery life. The EP explained that in all probability they would have to open incision site and ad...

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Time for a change it seems

Hi there,
It's been a long while since I've used the site for support and encouragement but, when in need, here I am again hoping that someone may help me better understand my situation.
I had a St Jude's pacemaker implanted in 2007. In December 2013 I was told the battery life was 9-15 months and that it would need checking again in three months time. I've been again today and it's down to 6-12 months battery life - as expected. I'm to go back again in three months. The staff are gre...

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Lead reposition surgery

I had my b-v pacemaker installed in November 2013. 5 weeks later the leads moved and so my Dr. had to do a reposition surgery 3 weeks ago. I just found out that for reasons they don't understand, the leads moved again. Is anyone aware of having the leads repositioned more that once? I have private insurance through my employer, will insurance continue to pay for multiple repositioning surgeries?

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PC due for replacement

My Medtronics dual chamber PM was implanted in 2005. I was told very likely I will need a replacement this year, 2014. My questions are
1. If I stay with same manufacture's product, do the leads need to be replaced?

2. If I switch brand, say Biotronics, do the leads need to be replaced?

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Moving my pacemaker

I had my pacemaker implanted when I was 15 and because breast tissue wasn't developed all the way yet they placed it under my arm it's in a pocket in my arm pit. Well it has slipped it's sitting on my ribs and is extremely painful. I'm having it moved to a different location, the usual location below my collar bone. Has anyone heard of this or in a similar situation I'm very nervous and can't find any information about this any where any info would be appreciated!! Thanks

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Battery Replacement

Hello,

I had a Medtronic pacemaker implanted in 2006 at 23 years old to treat syncope. I went for my semiannual check-up in September where they told me I had approximately 12 months left on the battery. At my check-up this morning, they informed me that my battery actually ran out only a few weeks after my visit in September and it went into conservation mode. They are regarding this five months of "no episodes" as an indication that my condition has gone away and pacing is no lon...

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The lead in the top heart chamber lost it's slack

I just had pacemaker surgery on February 20th 2014. When my doctor who did the surgery came into my hospital room, she said that I must have been moving my left arm because the lead that was placed in the upper heart chamber, lost it's slack and their is just a short lead. Although, she said it is working properly and that I cannot move my arm hardly at all and to be very careful so the lead does not come out from me moving too much. I am vey worried about this cause I do not want to go throu...

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Medronics (MRI Compatible) PM only lasted 2 Years

On New Years Eve 2011, very unexpectedly and quite out of the blue, I went into complete heart block at the age of 52. En route to hospital (in the ambulance) they started externally pacing me. I arrived at the hospital at 12 midnight and was externally paced for the next 4 hours until stable enough to have temporary PM placed. Then on Jan 2, 2012 had a Medtronic Revo MRI compatible PM inserted.

On Dec 6, 2013, I awoke during the night feeling absolutely dreadful. After many tests...

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Pacer lead

Hi, I have a boston scientific pacer for bradycardia, got it in Sept. 2013. Things have been fine till lately. My arm has been hurting me quite a bit, now I know that it may have nothing to do with the pacer but another strange thing is going on. I shop a lot, but one as I go thru the doors of the stores the security alarm goes off. Could this be a loose lead? What is going on?thanks for Any input you may have.

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Lead Revision

Hey guys, just wondering if anybody has had to have a lead revision before, and what recovery is like. I have micro fractures in the lead to my atrium, and ventricle, so the doc said she will try to fix them, but if she can't, I may need new leads. I'm kind of scared for surgery again, I don't want them to have to unscrew my old leads as I've heard its kind of dangerous in young people because the scar tissue heals well. I'm only 25. Anyways, thanks for taking a read, and I appreciate any re...

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MRI Compatible

Has anyone here had a Pacemaker that is compatible with MRI examinations installed with only ONE lead? My cardiologist attached only one of the two leads and as a result the Pacemaker Manufacturer said that my Pacemaker is not compatible for MRI exams.

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Low battery warning?

I have a St Jude model V-265. I've been told the battery is getting low. (implanted,7/17/08).
In the last few days, I have had 3 incidents where the pacemaker makes a loud whirring noise, accompanied by a tingling & nausea. Upon contacting the hospital, they checked with St. Jude & have no indication of low battery warning. Has anyone else experienced this?
I also have A-Fib & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Thanks!

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Suggest risks after infection

Hi all,
St Jude pace maker was planted in my body in 2000 in Escorts hospital Delhi India, it worked fantastically. In last quarter of 2012 it's battery was replaced. Routine check ups were done.
After battery replacement itching started & same thing was discusses with doctor in every routine checkup. In man 2014 it's stitches get opened & finally doctor told that it's infected & need relocated. I want to know from you guys that who is at fault for this infection & what are the risks i...

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new lead

just had my top lead (one of two) replaced because became detached from the heart wall . This was done back in November and since removing the dressing have noticed that the PM is not back in the same position as before, It sticks out more and the site is still sore - it's as though the skin is really stretched over the PM . I have not been able to go back as i am abroad at the moment and not due back in the UK 'til March - does anyone know if this is normal?

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News about batteries

Please have a look at this address:
http://phys.org/news/2014-01-team-implantable-piezoelectric-nanoribbon-devices.html


Any comments ?

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Am In greater risk?

My pacemaker went into power saving mode on December 24. I was immediately aware of what I thought was atrial fibrillation but when I transmitted data to my pacemaker clinic on Jan. 7, the PM nurse informed me that the pacemaker was pacing only in the lower chambers and was not recording data. The cardiac clinic gave me an appt for Feb. 17. I feel punk, but my question is: Am I at greater risk of a stroke while waiting for my appt than I would be if the PM was working properly? I am watching my...

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Spark plugs away

Got a call from my son yesterday. Daaaad. The long emphasis on the "A" in Dad means he's got a problem. Would you help my wife. Sure, I'll always help our favorite daughter-in-law. Her car won't start.

Thanks to the people on this site. I've been reading all the good stuff so have a tendency to forget I've got the PM. Grab the jumper cables, make a call and I'm on my way.

Car in garage. Temperature is 6 degrees Fahrenheit which is -14 C. Cold for the central Ohio re...

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Type of pacemaker

Hi Betts,
As other posts have said it very much depends on whether your pacemaker is an MRI conditional type. You should have been given a card with all the information on it re the pacemaker. If you ring up the MRI unit where you normally have them and ask to speak to the Superintendent/Lead MRI Radiographer. Tell her/him the name, type, model number - as much information as posible about it. Also tell them the name of the Cardiologist, hospital where it was done , the date, contact phone...

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You know you're wired when...

You name your daughter “Synchronicity”.

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My muscles are very sore but each day it gets better and my range of movement is improving.