Battery in ERI Mode

Hello,
Been 100% dependent (complete heartblock) since 2006. Pacemaker finally went into ERI mode this weekend. I can definitely feel the change. Pulse stuck @ 65 BPM, seems like some other functions are off now too. Doctor says two or three weeks before it can be changed out. Is that a reasonable time frame? I'm supposed to be going away next week for a week.....To me that shouldn't be a problem but I do get winded a lot easier now however.......

5 Comments

up to you

by Tracey_E - 2013-08-19 03:08:57

You are perfectly safe and have a window of about 3 months to get it done. You will continue to feel as you do now, your rate is not going to go up. Extra functions have been turned off to conserve battery, it's simply pacing at a steady rate. 2-3 weeks for the US seems kind of long to me if you are already EOL, but if you feel ok and have a trip scheduled, go for it. If you have anything active planned for your trip, you might want to rethink it. It's not good to push it when your rate can't go up.

If you can feel it, you are EOL (end of life). You were probably in ERI (elective replacement mode) the last 3 months or so. This is your warning stage, there is no stage after this one so don't wait too long to get it done.

If this is your first, know that replacements are a piece of cake! I'm on #4.

Update

by GSH - 2013-08-19 06:08:07

Thanks to everyone for responding. I was able to speak to my cardiologist this afternoon and he has scheduled a new PM for me on Wednesday. I am 100% dependent with no sinus rhythm and also have moderate/severe mitral stenosis. He said I will feel the 65BPM even more because of these problems. So, he's scheduling the procedure for this Wednesday.

Have it done sooner!

by ItsmeWayne - 2013-08-19 06:08:18

Call your doc and tell him you are going on a trip and would like it replaced before you go.
He is just stalling after all! You want it to work right and not be stuck in EOL mode!
I would be pissed myself, even if I was not going on a trip!
I hope you get a new one sooner.
Itsme Wayne

PM In EOL Mode

by SMITTY - 2013-08-19 06:08:49

Hello GSH,

I do not think two or three weeks before a change out with your pacemaker being in the EOL mode is a reasonable amount of time. Like Tracey said there is enough battery power remaining to carry you at least three months. But being stuck in the 65 BPM for two or three weeks is the part I have doubts about.

What was your normal heart rate and how active were you before the battery conservation mode took over? I found that the 65 BPM rate was not good for much more than sleeping. My normal rate was about 55 BPM although I had a low PM set point of 60 and with the 65 rate I would get tired in a short time with no more activity than walking. When sitting and watching TV, or napping, the 65 was fine.

Another thing I learned was there were times I would have a very irregular HR. I finally figured out that when I did something that required a heart rate faster than my heart's natural PM would try to speed things up above 65, but the PM and its 65 BPM didn't give a crap, it would just sit there thumping out its 65 rate. This caused conflict between the HR by the natural PM and the 65 BPM from the PM. I soon learned the best thing I could do when I felt the irregular heart rate was sit down and let my heart's natural PM go into it its natural rate so the PM and its 65 could take over.

I'll just wrap this up by saying I found the five days I was on the EOL mode to be dang uncomfortable as it certainly limited my activity. But other than SOB I don't recall any other symptoms.

Good luck,

Smitty

Good News !!!

by donb - 2013-08-19 09:08:01

Glad you did a good update for us. Makes us all feel better knowing you'll have your replacement real soon.
I'm on my #6 pacemaker & have never had to wait on getting a replacement with all of mine since 1992. As I'm not dependant I've been without recently for 30 days & also 60 days with my 3rd replacement because of erosion & site restoration.
DonB

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