Most Recent Messages in Batteries & Leads

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Doing great

Hi I am a 37 year old proud owner of a Pacemaker, that I'v had for 24 years.

It’s been over a year since I had my 21 year old leads replaced and I’m doing great. I must say my recovery was hard because I ended up getting 4 Blood clots in my left arm, with 2 removed with what I call the rotter rooter procedures. I have not has any new changes to the device and my heart is working strong with 3 leads now. I know there are a lot of scared people out there, my advice is...

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New pm

Hi - I wrote a week ago about shortness of breath that came on all of a sudden. I also tried to update my profile but it will not keep all the information after I submit it, so a little of my background: 60 years old, female, 3rd degree heart block diagnosed at 42 years old, 100% paced, I am on my 2nd pm (Medtronic Adapta) which is just over 8 years old. I was told 2 1/2 weeks ago that I had 1 - 10 months left before going into ERI, then 10 days later I started feeling weird and out of breath....

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4 leads

At my procedure 4 days ago, (Medtronic Consulta replaced by a Medtronic Viva XT CRT-D) the EP spoke of it was a tight fit into one of my veins. Evidently, he doubled up one lead to create a 4-lead device. I won't see him for a couple weeks or so to get a complete rundown of what he did -------- anyone here have a similar 4-lead PM/CRT-D? An aftereffect: I walked the ICU's halls for about 45 min a few hours post procedure. I noticed my left hand turning blue, which kinda freaked the ICU nurse....

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New Pacemaker

Hey all!!
How are you?
I've not posted on here in what seems like an age! Just thought I'd tell you all that in going in next Wednesday 4th of feb for my 2nd Pacemaker...my last one has lasted nearly 7years....1st time round I didnt get much time to think about it because I was so poorly and it happened rather quickly. This time round I'm just a bit nervous if I'm honest, not too bad because I know that I need this and it's going to happen.
What was all your recovery times? Whe...

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possible lead damage?

Hello all, has anyone experienced a pacemaker lead fracture then feel a sharp shock like pain to chest, radiating to chin then top of head? Of note, this is not an ICD, just an MRI comparable pacemaker. Also, recent check states increased voltage is required in atrial lead.

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Damaged twice in three years

Has anyone had trouble with their St. Jude leads?
My first set broke in the first year and now the second set has failed.

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Wifi Turned Off?

I chose to have my pacemaker's wifi turned off when the new one was implanted on 1/15/15. The nurses and other staff had more questions why, as well as judgmental responses, than the doctor did. (Maybe he saved it for when I was out during the surgery? ;o) )

They seem to forget that these batteries last a long time...my last one lasted 12 years. Just a brief search online will show all the technical advances during that time frame. According to an article in Forbes magazine, back in 2...

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ERI pacing at 65 bpm

I am scheduled for my 1st replacement in two weeks after 7 1/2 years of success with rate responsive Medtronic Versa.. They tell me I am 100% dependent. I am now in the ERI mode and being paced at 65 bpm. I notice my bpm does not go above 65 even with moderate exercise. Is this because the pace maker won't let my heart beat any faster even with exercise or is it because my heart can't beat faster on it's own? Feeling somewhat more fatigued than normal but still can function.

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Bad Lead

I have a Medtronic dual chamber PM implanted in 2005. After 9.5 years I was told in a checkup yesterday that my battery is running out. Meanwhile one of the two leads goes bad. I was told the data collection part quit working because of this. But the pacing still works by the other lead. But I found out my maximum hearteat is 50 now which is lower than 6 months ago.

My questions are
1. How could a lead suddenly go bad after 9 years?
2. Could a low battery affect the lead...

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surgeon reccomendation needed

Need to find a good surgeon to use laser to replace old leads and pacemaker. anyone recommend a really good cv surgeon?
thanks

Miami lady

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Battery Life Depletion

Hi All,

My son had his first PM (Boston Scientific Advantio K063) on 10-Dec-2012 battery life was 9 years at the time. On Dec 2013 his PM interrogation showed a battery life of 6.5 years and Aug-2014 was 5 years. Today we had done another PM interrogation and his battery life is now showing 4.5 years. He is being paced 19% on the atrial and 100% on his ventricular with a pace threshold of 1.6V @ 0.5 ms.

Today his electro-physiologist/cardiologist said that his battery life...

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Leads

Has anyone ever had a lead come disconnected ?
Has anyone ever has a lead break in the artery ?
Has anyone ever experienced "electric tingling" near there PM ? Not being shocked , just a PM.
Thanks
MK

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Leads Unattached

Hi All,

My 33mths old son likes jumping and playing, can his jumping activities contribute to leads being unattached? He is quite active and I'm a bit concern. Parents can you please share your experience if any that resulted from cases like these.

Thanks and appreciate your feedback.

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Pacemaker Replacement

Hi All,

I'm quite concern and would like to know an average cost to replace my son's PM in the US who has a Boston scientific pacemaker being 100% dependent with dual chamber epicardial leads.

Very soon we would have to replace his PM as the battery life is depleting and my husband and I would greatly appreciate your feedback. It's very hard for us as we don't have anymore insurance coverage as a result from his first implant and the insurance maximum benefit being lifetim...

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Fraying Leads

Good Evening....I went to the ER yesterday because I was experiencing pain in taking a breath....They took a chest xray and found that my lead is frayed....I only have one lead...I have to make an appointment with the EP doctor.....What is the next step?? Meaning what are they going to do about this lead?

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pieface315

Hi. I had my pacemaker surgery in July 2014 I was in third stage heart block. I am 100% dependent on it. Since I am, how long does the battery last at that rate?

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low battery symptons

This is my 3rd CID. I was informed that I have 2 months left on battery. At one of my CID check, I was told that if I feel like crap, get in. The things that I am experiencing are not normal to me. Even though I was told the battery is still good, I know there is something not quite right.

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Can Leads move around?

In my earlier "New EP is thorough" post, I neglected to mention this fact: My new EP was puzzled by the placement of the third lead of my Medtronic Consulta PM. I had not given him a COMPLETE "report" of my previous months health issues: Primary doc and ENT doc gave me a dangerous mix of drugs that lowered my blood sodium number to 124 (normal: 136 to 148.) So, what happens when one has "hyponatremia?" Delirium, aggressiveness ---- you basically go insane. A psychiatrist evaluated the Rx drugs...

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Lead not seated

Hi there, a week after my pacemaker insertion it was discovered that one of my leads have detached. I went in yesterday to have it reattached. The surgeon was really upset that this happened and he talked about how hard the MRI compatible leads are to work with. I found this second procedure to be way more painful than the first - the first I couldn't remember anything, this one I believe I felt everything, to the point they told me it was ok to swear if I'd like.

My question is -...

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Shorted out Lead

Back in 2013 I helped my family load hay. Somehow I must have done allot as my lead broke and shorted out which made me feel like a car miss firing. I went to Emergency they could not find. Said I had anxiety however this was over them not figuring out what was wrong with me. Next day my cardiologist had me come in and while being interrogated they shook my unit, made me raise lover arms and while on monitor the lead shorted just as i thought.They replaced my lead left the exiting one there...

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You know you're wired when...

You have an excuse for being a couch potato.

Member Quotes

I finished 29th in London in 2 hours 20 minutes 30 seconds which is my fastest with or without a device so clearly it didn’t slow me down ! I had no problems apart from some slight chaffing on my scar - more Vaseline next time.