Most Recent Messages in Batteries & Leads

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Laser Lead Extractions

Just want to let everyone know I am schedule for the laser lead extraction in 2 weeks. They will try to extract 3 of my leads (2 are 27 years old and 1 is 17 years old - 2 ventricular and 1 artrial). I have had lead fractures in the past and with this new fracture they will not put in anymore leads without extracting the old. 4 leads is the maximum they will allow in the superior vena cava. I am a veteran with pacemakers - having had 4 battery replacements in the past and another in about a...

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Laser Lead Extractions

I appreciate everyones responses regarding my upcoming laser lead surgery. My first dual chamber pacemaker was in 1983. That pacemaker only lasted 2-1/2 years before replacement. I have had so many surgeries for my pacemaker and lead wires, I start to get dates confused. I try not to dwell on things and just live for the moment. I look at this whole thing regarding our hearts and the rest of our body as a machine. Some of us try to take good care of our bodys and do what we are suppose to do, b...

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Thrombus or vegetation

This is what Mayo Clinic sent me home with after a transesophageal echo they would not do a pulmonary ablation because they found two 2.5cm linear, mobile densities attached to RA lead in right atrium. Diagnosis thrombus or vegetation. They did some blood cultures and want my blood to be thinner and have my Dr at home take care of it and come back in 2 months. Has anybody had this?

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Hi!

Hi All!
I am new to this pacemaker club, so if you guys can tell me anything I need to know that would be great!
Megan

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My father's decision is not to have his pm battery

The post from the lady whose mother chose not to have her pm replaced resonated with me. My daddy is 93 1/2, his wife, my stepmother, died four months ago. Right after her death Daddy was due for his three month pm check and was told he had about six months of battery life left. He is 100% dependant on his pm (according to the cardiologist). Daddy weighed his options and declared he is ready to go home! He has since then been hospitalized with a broken ankle from a fall. During his stay he...

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How common is it to pull/dislodge a lead?

Hey,

I'm kinda new here, I had my first pacemaker implanted 2 1/2 weeks ago due to high grade AV Block.

I was just wondering how common it is to pull/dislodge a lead? I have my first checkup (+xray and echo) in a few days. I was told not to lift my arm above my head for the first 4 weeks after surgery but I have totally cheated!!! as soon as it was strong enough I've been lifting my arm above my head for necessary things....maybe a dozen times or so.

Just wond...

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Lead Fractures & Replacements

My first pacemaker was back in 1983 and I have had 4 pacemaker replacements since then and I'm due for another replacement in about 1-1/2 years. I also am having problems with my ventricular lead. I have had 2 lead fractures in the past, thus there are 4 leads presently in my heart. Dr. says I will have to have the laser lead extraction since they don't want to put anymore in and I'm 56 years of age and will probably have future lead problems. Has anyone had the laser lead extraction and how...

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lead dislodging

Does anyone know if a dislodged lead can be sucked up thru the veins and along the armpit and down the arm? I was told to watch for uncontrolled hiccups, that may indicate a dislodged lead. i haven't raised my arm above my head, but have raised it to shoulder level, had pacemaker about a month now, and have something weird going on under my arm.

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LEAD PLACEMENT

DOES ANYONE HAVE A PAIR OF LEADS GOING ACROSS THE CHEST INTO THE HEART FROM THE OUTSIDE, INSTEAD OF THRU THE VEINS INTO THE HEART ?

ORIGINAL PACER WAS IMPLANTED IN 1989 AT THE AGE OF 19. WHEN I HAD THE LEADS EXTRACTED IN 2001 BY DR. CHARLES BYRD, HE PUT MY NEW PACER LOWER INTO MY RIGHT CHEST, PUT LEADS ACROSS MY CHEST AND DIRECTLY INTO MY HEART.

I HAVE ALOT OF REALLY SHARP INTENSE CHEST PAIN.
ECHO AND CT LOOK GOOD. WAS TOLD I HAVE ALOT OF SCAR TISSUE FROM SURGERY.

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What's Next After Dead Battery

Is there anyone here that can give me play by play of what happens if you do not get the battery replaced in time? My last test showed 100% PM on one lead and 82% PM on the other lead.
What are the symptoms to look for, or what are the progressive stages if the battery is not replaced in time after the fail safe kicks in?
Thanks,
Jim Ed

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Dual Chamber PM?

My mother's battery ran out 3 times now and she is scheduled for her fourth one the coming Monday. She has a epicardial lead and her pace maker is placed in her abdomen. Apparently she also has a congenital heart defect (Inverted ventricles with transposition of the great vessels which is a rare cardiac anomaly comprising less than 1% of liveborn congenital heart defects.)

What is the most advanced pacemaker available in the market and is dual chamber multi sensor pacemaker an option...

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replacement

I went for my office check today. The second the tech hooked me up she told me I went into ERI mode on June 21 at 4:11 am. So then I got to have the fun of scheduling the replacement. It's my first replacement, I've had my PM a little over 4 years. I'll be getting it done on Aug. 2. I work summer school and will be missing the last 2 days but oh well. Just in the summer we don't get sick days. I was hoping it would last until at least the fall. I have plenty of sick days saved from last year tha...

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Pulled Lead??

I've been experiencing a sharp pain under my left breast for the past three days and unfortunately it's been getting worse. It's been 7 weeks tomorrow since my PM was implanted, and I started moving and really trying to use my arm last week. Has anyone out there pulled a lead? Is this something that I should be worried about or am I just being paranoid?? If anyone could offer any advice I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks again to everyone who's responded and listened to my ranting and r...

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28 and pregnant with dead wire

So I'm 28 years old and currently 13 weeks pregnant. I went in for a routine check-up on my pacemaker yesterday and found out that one of my wires is fractures and not working anymore. The doctor says that I need to have it replaced but it's dangerous to do during pregnancy because of the radiation exposure. I already have two wires in the artery as my previous wire went dead 3 years ago. He now wants to wait until after I deliver, but I'm nervous what this will mean for my pregnancy. Will I hav...

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Do you think I was dreaming?

Hi fellow pacers! A few nights ago I was asleep and I heard a noise, at first I thought it might have been my mobile or smoke alarm, but I swear it came from my pacemaker, is this possible?

HHx

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confused

This past March, my alarm went off on my ICD. My leeds had fractured once again. This was the 3rd replacement surgery that I have had since 2006. For some reason, my leeds keep breaking, and I'm confused as to why they do so. I'm very tired of having the surgeries every year or so, and would just like to have a working system. My most recent surgery they put St. Jude leeds in, and say they are the most reliable ones on the market currently. Any input on why my leeds keep fracturing? Any informat...

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PM replacement went well..Feeling great !!!

Hi everyone!
Well here I am home and happy after my PM replacement surgery yesterday..It went really well.....only feel a little bit sore but otherwise great!!!
Just had a local anaethetic and a little medicine through the IV to help me relax...I was aware of the whole procedure and talked to the cardiologist.I could feel him pulling and pushing and screwing in the new PM to the leads...It was all over in about 20 mins..I couldnt believe how easy it went..
I am now the proud owner...

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lead fracture

My father suffered a lead fracture of a Boston Scientific CRT-D that resulted in a fall that knocked out his teeth. The device was implanted in 2009 and still under warranty. Boston Scientific says that they will reimburse up to 2500 hundred dollars in medical bills that are not covered by insurance for the replacement of the device but refuse to pay for the removal of broken teeth and to get him dentures. I wonder if I should get a lawyer or just accept that you cant fight these types of thing...

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changing leads

my cardiologist told me that the leads need to be replaced after aroung 15 years.The procedure will cause some muscle damage and cardiac function will be affected... is that what to expect, I got my pacemaker about 6 years ago.

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Feeling a bit nervous

Hi Everyone..I am getting a little nervous about my generator change on the 24th June....I know it is supposed to be a bit of a breeze compaired to the original operation..Is there any thing that I should be doing to get myself ready for it..I try to keep fit .
I am possibly just being a bit of a sook at the moment.
I am feeling great with my pacemaker as it is... but wonder if the new one will be as good as the one Ive got?
Regards to all from a scared old girl from downunder.

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You know you're wired when...

Born to be Wired is your theme song.

Member Quotes

But I think it will make me feel a lot better. My stamina to walk is already better, even right after surgery. They had me walk all around the floor before they would release me. I did so without being exhausted and winded the way I had been.