Most Recent Messages in Batteries & Leads

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2nd Attempt

This is my second pacemaker since February 2010. Battery went bad after 2 1/2 years. Both I have are from Medtronic. My second one I just had put in on July 3, 2012. Bigger and much more painful than my first one. The old one was model number P1501DR. This new one is model ADDRL1. Lets see how long this one can last. I am very frustrated to have to have this replaced so soon. I guess I should be happy I am alive.

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can i ask for help?

anyone know's a foundation that could help me for my son's lead for his pacemaker? please help us.....

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accident

Hi all, I have a concern..I recently got my pm on july 17th and have to go bk to dr on aug 13 for post op and probably some adjustment on my settings, my problem is a couple of times I wasn't thinking and I accidently raised my arm above my head and now I'm hoping that I have not damaged any leads..is there anyway to tell if everything is still ok :(

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Newbie

Yes, thank you all for encouraging words here. I am 21 days out from having my pacemaker in. Tomorrow is my birthday, and I am trying to stay positive. I too have children and grandchildren, and want to be around for a long time. I climbed stairs for the first time tonight since surgery and had heart fluttering a good bit. Kinda surprised me. My sister gave me a gift tonight. A book titled" God Always Has A Plan B". So, life is always about choices. I'm gonna choose to live this season of my...

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Lead replacement

Hi, I'm new here and was hoping for find a little information. I had my pacemaker implanted when I was 18 ( 15 years ago) for complete heart block with no AV junction function leaving me dependent on the device. I have had the generator replaced 3 times but now I have been told that it's time to consider placing new leads as I'm told they usually last about 15 years before they start to malfunction, and cannot take the risk that they might break. My question is has anyone had experience with cha...

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Left Atrial Lead

Does anyone have one? My doctors are talking about moving my atrial pacing to the left side. When I had the pacer put in a month ago it took almost 3 hours because they couldn't find a spot that would take in the atrium. They finally found one and when I left the hospital the lead was looking fantastic. Now It's been 5 weeks and every week the lead has gotten worse. I randomly have episodes where it's not capturing and they keep uping the voltages. Now I am to the point where my battery will not...

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Medtronic Device & Leads Reliability

I have a medtronic device and recently found this site that goes through each of their products and gives statistics on their reliability and field performance...thought a few others out there may be interested as well.

If you want to look up your leads, but dont know what kind you have, trying looking at one of your interrogation print outs, I found mine on one of the device summary pages.

http://wwwp.medtronic.com/productperformance/generator/family/ICD.html

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New leads

Hi all. I haven't posted on here for a while. I posted last after I had some complicated surgery but I won't go through it again :) feeling much more positive than I was a while ago, still have down days but not so often.
I was just wondering if anyone else has had to have their wires placed on the outside of the heart instead of through the SVC veinand whether they had had any complications? I lifted something that was a bit heavy for me a week ago (lesson learnt the hard way as got take...

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Lead displacement

Hi!

Firstly I would like to thank whoever has put together this forum wherein everyone associated/connected (directly/indirectly or thru a Lead!)to a cardio-verter. It is quite informative.

I'm 38, Rheaumatoid Arthritis patient since 1996, morbidly obese (appx 230Lbs) , HTN since 2008. Yep, Bio's quite impressive.

Was diagnosed with an InfraHisian 2:1 AV block in my pumping station. Got a dual chamber MRI compatible pacemaker (Biotronik) implanted on the 12th J...

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Third Lead

Its now my first year anniversary of my Medtronic dual chamber pacemaker which paces 98 percent of the time. There is a diagreement between the cardiologist and the electrophysiologist who implanted the device. The cardiologist thinks I need a third lead inserted to better syncronize the chambers. The surgeon does not think this would help. Anyone have to go back to get an additional lead inserted?

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Battery Life Expectancy of Medtronic 2005?

I have an Enpulse DR Model # e2DR01AA. I could've sworn I'd heard/read/been told that the battery life was 5-7 years. I'm at 7 years 3 months right now. I'm not insured and just moved, so I don't have a pacer clinic. I called to make an appointment -- I've finally raised the $400, but they said it would be a month. I was sorta freaked, but they said pacers last ten years on average.

Is that true of the 2005 EnPulse? It's dual-chamber; I'm paced 15% lower and 30% upper.

Than...

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Hi all-

So I just went to my doctor who recommended that I get my old leads extracted when I get my new device put in within the year as there is 'noise' (interference) noted in one of the leads. I have had the leads since my first implantation when I was 18. I'm 33 now and very concerned that this is a potentially horrendous idea (I have been good for the past 10 years) considering the hugh amount of scar tissue that has made these leads very much a part of my body. I have read a lot about it, and am...

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Riata ST Optim vs Rita ST

Can anyone tell me the differance between these two leads. I understand the Rita ST is now on advisory/recall. Is the Riata ST Optim a advisory/recall also? Are they the same type lead?

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curious.

Hi all!! Quick question: when the battery runs out on your PM and it needs to be replaced, do they replace the leeds as well, or just the battery itself? I've never had the battery run out before, just leed replacements. Any with an experience they would like to share? I think my battery will be running out soon, and I would just like a heads up :-) thanks!!

Jodie

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Pacemaker Unipolar

Hi

My mum is recently operated to fit a unipolar pacemaker. She has been a pacemaker patient for the last 20years. Recently she experienced a continuous thumping in her chest for 4 secs and it never happened after. When examined the doctor says there is a small hair line crack in the wire...but he also says that this is never affect the functioning of the machine. The only disadvantage he states is the lifetime of the machine might be reduced. Can you please advice me on this case? I...

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Lead firing more than normal

I had a pacemaker put in when I was 9 for bradiacardia. I had a new PM put in three years ago soley because it had moved under my arm and was causing discomfort. I have only been using it 2% of the time. They left the original lead in there. I am now experiencing my PM firing more than normal. They are saying that it is possible the Lead will need to be replaced. I am just so frustrated right now due to the fact that it has only been 3 years since my last surgery. Could there be any other reason...

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Leads

Thanks for all the comments, they really help.
Today is one week sense the surgery, I know I'm probably more paranoid than i should be but, i feel little tingles and still some soreness, trying to be overly cautious with my left arm as it worries the hell out of me pulling the leads out. i woke up this morning with my arm out of the sling and above my head. Could i have pulled leads out and if so would i be able to feel it. I dont go back to the doc for 10 or so days. Sorry for being so dan...

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What % of the time do you use your pm?

Hi, I just got my pacemaker a few weeks ago & already had a regularly scheduled appt with a tech. I was just curious how often people use their pacemaker. I was told that mine is being used 54% of the time and that sounded high.. The numbers that I was told as full battery, how much I used and when recommended to replace the battery made me worry a little since its only been 6 weeks. I know everyone is different but I was interested to know how often other people use there pacemakers & how often...

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WHOA AGAIN

As posted in my previous messages, I am going to purchase an alert bracelet in case I am in another accident, at least I’ll feel better about it.

Thanks for all your messages.

Janet

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Need answers

I'm so glad this website is available. I need some information and advice from people who live with a PM.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer Jan 11, 2012 followed by partial mastectomy then 7 wks of radiation. May 23 I went in for a radiation treatment and the nurse became concerned because I was weak, tired, dizzy and breathless. After a CT to rule out blood clots on the lungs, my BP was taken. I was on 2 BP meds and it came in at 185/110 with 37 BPM. Off to ER, numerous tests,...

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You know you're wired when...

You run like the bionic man.

Member Quotes

The experience of having a couple of lengths of wire fed into your heart muscle and an electronic 'box' tucked under the skin is not an insignificant event, but you will survive.