Most Recent Messages in Batteries & Leads

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battery life

Regarding a low battery reading on a relatively recently implanted pacemaker, I learned that on rare occasions, the telemetrics on the pacemaker can fail causing the computer inside to read a low battery and reduce the events that are being recorded. This happened to me sometime in March of 2010. I was "reprogrammed" a week ago and am doing fine. My PM is a Medtronic. There apparently is no explanation as to why this might happen. However, if this is the problem, the solution should be rela...

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New lead--maybe

Hi all, I' hoping someone can give me an idea or two about what I can expect if I have to have a lead replaced. I've had a "thumping in my chest for a long time that the dr. never witnessed, so he didn't answer my questions about it. It got a lot worse and finally the dr. was around when it happened. He said he thinks it's from a lead interfering with my diaphragm's nerve (vagus?), and I may have to have a new lead put in. Is the old lead removed? Is it difficult or painful? If you've had it don...

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Pain woke me up this morning...

I've had my PM for 3 weeks now & seem to be doing fine! But, early this morning I woke up to a sharp pain around the PM site. I think I must have moved my arm above my head in my sleep. Now I'm wondering if I might have pulled the lead wire. Should I call the doctor or not. I don't have any further pain for the incident, but, just concerned. Should I or shouldn't I call the doctor.
I sure love this site! Lots of good information!
My husband & I are Ham Radio operators & I fo...

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leads replaced

In nov of 2009 I had a pacemaker placed due to my resting heart rate was in the thirties and forties. Naturally at 33 This came a quite a shock ... the first six mos went by great... then in may i started havin dizzy spells... my one lead had come loose. So I had a second surgery to replace it and a a second lead so now I have two. Recovery time was quick first time cause I only had stitches ... this time I have 15 staples and a much more painful recovery. The first week I suffered from serious...

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Replacement this month

Hi Fellow pacers,
I wonder if any of you that have recently had their pacemakers replaced ,could give me a few tips on what to expect and what to discuss with the cardiologist before mine is done.
Im getting a little nervous as I am having mine done 24th June.
I was really pleased that I have no scar or bump showing at all from the original PM and being a girl..(or should I say old girl)
I am worried that the 2nd one may be more noticable!!!
I love to go down to the bea...

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Can you see your pacing leads?

I think I can see/feel my pacing leads under the skin, above my pacemaker scar running up to my collar bone. Is this where the leads would be? Can anyone else see/feel theirs? I've only noticed it this week, so it might be all the swelling having gone down, or me just being more observant. It might have nothing to do with my pacemaker at all, but it feels weird!

Thanks,
Genie

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Broken Insulation

I have dual lead Medtronic pacemaker since 1995. The battery has been replaced approx 7 years ago and I am due for battery replacement again.Currently I am operating in the conservation mode with only one lead sparking.

I have a faulty lead that needs replacing.

The pacemaker is implanted in left chest. When I try to sleep on left side the pulsing or sparking is unacceptable. I am limited to 180 degrees with nothing to the left side.I assume the faulty lead is sparking at...

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Lead replacement

Hi,

I had my first battery change a month ago and at that time my cardiologist thought that maybe one of my leads wasn't fully working but he wasn't sure and that the surgeon needed to check it when I was in the OR. They did that and apparently there were no issues so only the battery was changed. I went to have my PM checked this week and was told that they noticed the PM didn't capture at one point so I am now scheduled to have a new lead put in next week.

I'm wondering...

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curious about something....

hi everyone! can someone please tell me what do you feel or what are the symptoms if one of your leads has come loose or has come off completely?

i'm just curious (and slightly paranoid) because for the past few days i have been getting like a slight fluttery feeling every now and then. it's really quick and doesn't make me feel crappy or anything but it happens often enough to be annoying and to worry me just a little bit.

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How did you kill that battery?

A silly question for the old timers who've had multiple replacements... Do you find yourself thinking over what you did over the life of your last battery? Did I really get the most out of it and eek all the enjoyment I could out of it, or did I just sort of use it up? Which of your batteries did you have the most fun on?

I didn't do much on this last battery. A little hiking, a little skiing. The lead was impeded so it only lasted three years and I wasn't 100% for the last year betw...

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Battery Replacement

Having recently undergone PM implantation, I am already worrying about the battery replacment!!

Could anyone kindly explain their experience of the batteryreplacement procedure and what it entails? Is it as stressful as the PM operation? I would be very grateful to hear from you.

Thanks and best wishes
Horseride

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dead pacer

HI.
I joined the club yesterday. I,ve read about 200 ofyour testements. None seem to fit my case.
I had my pacer implant in 2003. I have had a 6 mo check at the clinic ever since. My last checkup. revealed that my pacer isnt
working anymore. This checkup was 1 mo ago.
My card. has opted to not replace it yet. He has put me on a lopresser ,Med , Therapy.
Is there any of you out their who have experenced this type therapy?
Johnearla31

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St Jude ICD

My ICD battery went from 2.55 to 2.52. I was at 2.55 for 9 months.Has anyone had a similar situation and how long did you stay at 2.52 ? I'm getting nervous because Medicare replaces it at 2.45 ?

Mike

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Replacement cost

Hello all,
I am due to have my original Guidant duel chamber (Boston Scientific) PM replaced in about a year. We are changing insurance companies -unfortunately, and do not know if they will cover the majority of the cost of the replacement. I have the cost for the MD and the hospital - does anyone know the ball park cost of the new PM if the leads are all ok? Thanks

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PM

Hello
I'm another newby. I've had 4 implants...1997 pacemeker only, 2004 pacemaker /defib, 2006 replacement pm/defib, 2009 pacemaker only. My question : I just had my pm checked yesterday and 2 leads are either cracked or broken R V & LV. I know the leads in there are from 2004 (only had change out of batteries 2006 & 2009). I am looking for a doctor in the Melbourne Florida who does lead removal. Anyone out there who knows of one? There are no docs in my area who do it. My cardiol...

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low battery problems

Having just had my pacemaker replaced, I notice I am more alert and less tired now. I have even slept better. Could it be that the old pacemaker was not doing it's job? It's battery was getting low for months then was in need of replacement very fast.

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Change of pacemaker instead of Battery

I had a pacemaker since 2003 and went for a "battery change" yesterdsy. I see now that the doctor gave me the old pacemaker and replaced it with a new model, a St Jude PM2210, replacing a 5376 also from St Jude. Is it normal to just put in a new pacemaker? What about the difference in cost? I am a Senior on Social Sec. and Medicare with Medicare's Advantage program and can not afford another huge bill.

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repositioning of wires??

Hey guys, I had my pacemaker implanted on 4/13/10, so I am new to all of this. I just went for another doctor's visit today because I keep feeling "pacing". Well, the "pacing" is pacing, but my diaphragm nerve is what is picking up the impulses of my pacemaker and making my diaphragm jump. The doctor set the pacemaker to 1.3 and told me that if I start feeling it again, we will have to go back in and reposition the wires. Has anyone ever had to do this? If so, how long was the procedure, did you...

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Laser Lead extraction

Hi Everyone,

I was wondering if anyone has had a laser lead extraction...and could tell me what your expierance was like.

I have a duel chamber pacemaker and had my PM interogated a month ago. I found out that my Atrial lead is damaged and need to have surgery.

I got the call today for the surgery apt. and was told that instead of leaving the damaged wire in, they are going to do a laser extraction. I am a little more nervous now, and am hoping some of you can...

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Battery life of Medtronic PM

Thanks to all who responded so quickly to my message about a sudden drop in my battery life expectancy. I thought of myself as an educated consumer, but I see I have a lot to learn about all this...even after three years. All of the explanations offered make sense. I don't think I pace 100%; last visit, closer to 20-25% But that could have changed. The idea that a lead could be damaged, causing the battery to work harder is also a possibility. I admit I don't "baby" it. Again, thanks for...

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