Most Recent Messages in Batteries & Leads

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Battery Life

Hi all, I have researched battery life relationship with usage on here. I am now trying to apply my understandings to my own self to plan and prepare head. Yeah, I'm one of THOSE people : )
I would greatly appreciate comments/corrections/help from you all.
When I had my 1st visit with the Medtronic Rep before my release fom hospital for PM implant, he told me I had the brand new 14 yr. model w/ updated 'bells & whistles.'
I realize 14 yrs. would be the outside, optimum life for...

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multiple beeping episodes

I have a 7 year old medtronic ICD. The low battery alarm has been beeping for almost a year now. It goes off every morning at 10:30,
but for the past few days it has ALSO started going off a second time at random times.....
I don't intend on having anything replaced. Can anyone tell me if the beeping episodes will increase to several times a day ?
It has shocked me more times than I can remember, 4 times back to back last May. That hurt like hell. I'd rather just have the damn th...

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Leads under my arm

Hello All,
My over flow of the leads are placed on the left side. They pop out and touch my nerves in my arm. ( close to the underarm) Sometimes the pain is extreme to the point of almost passing out. I have a different EP Dr then who did the implant. She does not want to open me up due to infection But if I need it done she will do it. I was thinking of duct tape . ha ha ha ... But I went to a pharmacy and found sports tape and pulled the wires away from my nerves in my arm. It has impr...

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Looking for information

I went for my annual device check and have learned my battery life is four years. I have only had my PM for 14 mos. I am 100% ventricular paced. I am not aware of what percent I am atrial paced. I have episodes of atrial tachycardia which I take Flecainide. I am a bit concerned that I have used over half of the "battery life" in little over a year. My f/u appointment w/my cardiologist is in July. Should I be concerned? The device nurse didn't seemed to be. Any input/comments would be ap...

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leads

hello my friends can anyone help me with this how can you tell if a LED has came apart from your paserThanks in advance have a wonderful day

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Lead Extraction

Im scheduled for lead extraction and replacement of pacemaker/leads later this month. The leads are original ( 20yo) and this will be my 3rd generator.
Ive done a search here and it seems that a number of people have had the extraction procedure. I was wondering what the post operative recovery was like in terms or going back to work and activities. The generator exchange was a breeze and I went to work the next day. I hope the extraction is the same.
Thanks.

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battery replacement

Can you tell me if there are any effects of a low battery. Mine is due to be changed out and I have bee n very tired and depressed. Is this normal?

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implant PM subpectoral placement

I am about to get my 3rd battery change out of my dual chamber PM. My doctor does not like the fact that the leads are so close to the skin and that they might catch on something. I am a thin 66 year old woman and very active. I do Body Pump (lifting of heavy weights over head etc., Zumba, Combat etc) I don't want this new placement to impede my ability to work out as normal. Does anyone have experience with subpectoral placement and lifting weights?

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Shocks!

Hey heart people!

Full 2 1/2 months since the PM was inserted and it's been amazing! No Stokes-Adams or heart stopping moments!

I do get a very Intense shocking pain at the site of my PM (right side) when my PM kicks in. It's not unbearable because it lasts a second at most but very intense.

Anyone else had this? Is there a way to stop it? Not a life or death question but I do give a comical yelp on regular occasions!

Thanks!

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New pm

I had my 3rd pm fitted 3 weeks ago. I got a Medtronic DR MRI Surescan, which is great, but my question is, since I don't have Surescan leads can I still have a MRI scan should I need it?
I was in EOL so it is nice feeling great again.
Thanks.

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Broken collar bone on pacemaker side

I am a keen skier and fell in January breaking a bit off the top of my shoulder.This was not on my pacemaker side, but it did make me want to ask if anyone had experience - or had heard of anyone breaking their collar bone on the pacemaker side - and wether there was the possibility that that could damage the leads?
My doctor had never heard of this happening - but have any of you?

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first unit change. sedation???

I have just had my first unit change and my only word I can think of is brutal. I know we are awake for the procedure but aren't we supposed to recieve some sedation. I did the first time and it wasn't as traumatic as this time. I am actually quite shocked at how horrendous this was. Has anyone else had this and did you receive sedation?

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CRT-D replacement

I have had my crt-d for 3 1/2 years and will need a replacement soon due to a low battery. Wondering if this a normal life expectancy of a battery.

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Pacemaker replacement report

I had my Medtronic Versa rate responsive pacemaker replaced after 7 1/2 years on 02/13/2015 at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida medical Center. Dr. Platt, an electro physiologist, who implanted my original pace maker performed the procedure in less than an hour and all went smoothly. The new one is a Medtronic Advisa rate responsive. model which is MRI compatible. I still have the original leads, so hopefully I will not require an MRI at a later date. My original pace maker went into "End of Life...

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Battery Low

My main heart doctor is at Vanderbilt which is 4 hours from me. I have a rare genetic heart problem and that's why I have to go to Vanderbilt. I have another doctor local that does checks every so often just so I don't have to drive 4 hours for a check. I went the other day to my local doctor and he told me my battery only had 8 months left. I have an appt in July at Vanderbilt which is 5 months away. I called them to let them know I only had 8 months left and they said it was ok to wait until J...

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waiting times UK

Hi there, been told i've to get a replacement battery as its now showing 6 months left. Does anyone know what the approximate waiting time is for this procedure? I live in the UK (Scotland) and using "google" it appears around 18 weeks but i'm not sure how accurate this is. Just wondering how long others have waited - thanks

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Life of Batteries

Hi all,
I just went into my 3 month check up after getting the pacemaker. How accurate are the readings for the battery life? My first PM reading showed that I was using the PM at about 7% and now its showing about 4%. The first reading I had said the battery life would be about 15 years and now it's saying 14 years, even when not working as much. So I was just wondering how accurate they are when they give out the battery's life.
Thanks

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False Alarm

At a check up of my PM on 20-Jan-2015 I was told my battery was running very low. Meanwhile one of the two leads went bad. I was told the data collection part quit working at atrium end. I was worrying about inserting a new lead which could be a more complicate procedure. However eight days later in the surgery room the doc told me they found out both leads were good. All I need was a box change. The doc explained that when battery runs low the device may selectively shut off certain function an...

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Leads

Hi would u feel unwell if your pacemaker lead had come lose ?

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Feeling

Is it possible that the lead could hit something that could cause a "tingle" or have a sensitive feeling ? I have been feeling some on and off again light "electric tingling" under my bottom rib cage on the left side. Went to the pacemaker doc and he said the lead looks fine, xrays look fine, pacer is working fine. So what could this be. I see no bruising or swelling. Had my PM 3 years now. I have a tender spot now in that small area from where I have either kept touching it and pressing on it o...

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Member Quotes

I am just thankful that I am alive and that even though I have this pacemaker it is not the end of the world.