Pacemaker Removed
- by ebfox
- 2012-10-31 03:10:58
- General Posting
- 894 views
- 6 comments
Folks,
I just returned from the hospital and I am holding in my hand my Medtronic Adapta PM.
The PM was originally implanted on January 24, 2012 after I had Thorascopic Maze surgery. I was in a 36 BPM junctional rhythm without the pacer.
Long story short, my sinus node came back to life 14 days later; it took about 4-5 months to recover chronotropic competence but my EP basically said it was just an expensive heart monitor at this point. He did not want to turn it off and leave it in.
This online group has given me great support during this time and I plan to continue to keep up with the group. In a post a while back, I mentioned that this group seems to have a special bond and I think that is rare gift. I have been proud to be a part of the group and I will continue to do so (even without the device).
So don't kick me out of the club- I am a non-paced PMer now-
EB
6 Comments
WOW!
by Hope - 2012-10-31 04:10:17
Hi! So glad for you, EB. Take care, be happy and don't forget us. Hopeful Heart
Thanks
by ebfox - 2012-10-31 08:10:44
Ian,
I am considering exactly what to do with it- either making a big rapper necklace or mounting it on the wall is the top 2 ideas right now.
Hope, I could never forget your kind words and as I said, I plan to be on here every day. Take care.
EB
My Poor Pacemaker
by ElectricFrank - 2012-11-02 03:11:57
I have the one that was replaced in 2010 on my desk. Last time I checked it with my oscilloscope it is still pacing away trying to revive me.
With no heart connected the power usage is very low so the remaining battery could last a long time.
It was a great device for you even for a short time.
frank
Meter
by ebfox - 2012-11-02 05:11:24
I have a fluke meter at work, I will check it out-
Yes, a 36 BPM junctional rhythm will support life but not a very good life-
Mine went even lower before the implant
by ElectricFrank - 2012-11-03 02:11:13
The night before my implant I was running around 26 bpm. I was still able to walk into hospital and never did feel light headed.
I had the implant done without anesthesia or sedatives (just some local pain killer shots at incision site) so I got to feel the pacer kick in when then turned it on. What a rush...from 26 up to normal.
Does the Fluke have a scope display on it. Otherwise, you may not see much. The pulses are down around 400uSec so there isn't much there. I have an older Tektronix scope.
frank
You know you're wired when...
You have a 25 year mortgage on your device.
Member Quotes
In fact after the final "tweaks" of my pacemaker programming at the one year check up it is working so well that I forget I have it.
Fantastic !!!!!
by IAN MC - 2012-10-31 04:10:14
Hi EB .... I remember some of your earlier posts. It is fantastic that your sinus node has self-repaired. This will give hope to so many of us.. I am yelling at my sinus node right now >> " Stop being so idle; repair yourself ! "
The human body is amazing ; I think a lot of the short circuits that some of our hearts develop are its attempts to compensate for nodes which don't work as they should.
You are the first person I've heard of with this fabulous experience.
I'm not sure if I would wear my PM , mount it in a display case, use it as a paper weight or throw it in the nearest river (which is the Thames in my case !)
Don't forget your bionic friends
Ian