new battery

OK I HAVE MY CURRENT PACEMAKER 5 1/2 YEARS & NOW IT IS FINALLY TIME FOR THE BATTERY TO BE CHANGED & I AM SCARED & NERVOUS LOL YES I HAVE IT ALREADY SO IT IS SIMPLE SINCE I DO NOT USE IT THAT MUCH THE PACEMAKER 12 & 14 % BUT STILL NERVOUS WHAT I NEED TO KNOW IS WHO HAS HAD THERE BATTERY CHANGED ALREADY & HOW MANY TIMES LIKE I SAID I AM NERVOUS AS SHIT LOL TY FOR YOUR REPLIES Fred

7 Comments

New Battery

by Good Dog - 2015-08-31 08:08:05

I have had my pacemaker for 28+ years. Have had three battery changes and will get the fourth next month. I certainly understand the being nervous. If you weren't, you wouldn't be human.
Getting a battery change is like falling off a log. If that is all they are doing, it should be out-patient surgery.
That said, I still get nervous. When it is over I always feel a little foolish, because I realize how easy it was. For me, they don't even put me completely under. Whatever drug they give me makes me feel really good and relaxed. I remember hearing people talking, but don't remember any specifics.
The only think I don't like is the IV antibiotic afterwards. It feels kinda like syrup going-in and burns a little, but no big deal!
Piece of Cake!!!

Dave

It was much easier than the implant!

by SaraTB - 2015-08-31 09:08:04

OK, here's my experience:

Went in around 9.00am, home by 12.30 to eat a hearty lunch.
I was awake, but sedated somewhat. The procedure is very swift, as there is no need to insert new leads or make a new pocket. They simply opened up the pocket, removed the old one, still attached to the leads. Then swiftly moved the leads to the new unit, replaced in the pocket and sealed it up.

Bear in mind that I am 100% paced but there was no issue. They put an external pacemaker on you, in case it's needed, but it wasn't used: my doctor was so quick there was barely a pause.

There's much less discomfort afterwards, as the swelling and bruising from creating the pocket isn't a factor. Just the healing of the incision spot.

Good luck - many, many members here are on their second, third, fourth, even fifth device by now. Don't be afraid to ask us any questions though: we all remember how intimidating it can be the first time!

HI

by relax221 - 2015-09-01 05:09:34

PIECE OF CAKE ASK FOR THE MICHAEL JACKSON PROPERNOL DRUG ...KNOCKED ME OUT FOR 1 HOUR AND I WALKED OUT OF HOSPITAL..THIS WAS MY 3RD

replacements

by Tracey_E - 2015-09-02 12:09:00

I've had 4. Nothing to it! The soreness the first time is from making the pocket, the restrictions are from the leads. None of that with replacements.

replacement

by freddyv - 2015-09-03 04:09:33

I am asking cause I know I had to stay a extra day or 2 after the initial pacemaker & I am not wanting to have to stay in the hospital again even overnight how long after the replacement were you back to normal activities? & was there any pain afterwards?

Hospital overnight

by Good Dog - 2015-09-03 08:09:32

Nobody stays in the hospital overnight for a battery change. You should be going in in the morning and going home in the afternoon.
The pain afterwards is really minimal.
I am telling you, this is really easy, not like the initial implant.

Dave

replacement

by freddyv - 2015-09-04 01:09:53

TY all for the feedback & info still will be a bit nervous till afterwards especially my DR not being around on weekends with him being religious LOL does it mean anything if the lower legs get a numb tingly feeling not arms lower legs been staying home alot sitting around

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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.