Batteries good, Leads bad

About 2 years ago, one of my leads stopped working, no problem, they say it wasn't very important. Now the other lead is going off and on...They still check my pacemaker with the telephone but say, OK. I have been having good days and bad.
Any ideas as to when I should hollar at them about the bad lead?
Tom

5 Comments

Dependent?

by lbdina - 2013-11-05 06:11:36

Tom,

You don't say much about your condition in this post or in your bio. Are you PM dependent? If so, I'd be pounding their door down right now. Seems like you are having symptoms already, so I'd try to get an appointment.

I've read posts here that IF you need to have leads removed, it is wise to insist on a doctor who does at least 100 lead removals per year. I guess it can be pretty tricky and you want an expert who does this all the time.

BTW, I live in Birmingham.

Lou

Been through it!

by Joanna H. - 2013-11-06 01:11:17

If a lead has been determined bad it would be wise to take it out. Even if you do not use the lead very often over time it can get fragile. I have had both my initial leads go bad. Both were replaced within a 3 year time of receipt. Medtronic actually paid me back for my time off of work...surgery was covered by the VA. I had an electrophysiologist take out the second one. Talk to your pacemaker tech!!!!

Thanks!

by tomrein3 - 2013-11-06 02:11:16

I am going to check with the wonderful folks at Heart Center in Huntsville, AL and make sure they do something about it!
Thanks for all the help!
Tom

Warranty

by Joanna H. - 2013-11-06 04:11:31

Important!!! Please remember to have your pacemaker rep file warranty if your lead is determined bad. I went bankrupt the first time when the first rep didn't file for surgery costs. My second rep for the second removal took care of everything and basically saved me financially. Blesses!!

I'm guessing

by BillMFl - 2013-11-06 08:11:50

That the first lead that broke was for your ventricle and since (like me) you didn't need ventricle pacing as yet, they decided to just leave it alone. However, you now have continuity issues with your atrial lead and you are experiencing symptoms, so yes, I would be very concerned that your pm could stop functioning completely.

You know you're wired when...

You’re officially battery-operated.

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