Pacemaker setting

I have had a st Jude pacemaker for 4 months now. I am 63. It was discovered I needed a pacemaker after I passed out while driving. Today, I had a dizzy spell similar to what I remember before I blacked out. Is getting dizzy today something I should e concerned about? Does this kind of thing occur. Also, for two months, I had my pacemaker set at 60 . I had it reset about a month ago to 70, just because I thought I might have more energy, I think I do. My concern is does a higher setting mean I will need to replace the battery sooner? Thanks so much for any thoughts.

2 Comments

Pacemaker settings

by bombay gal - 2012-12-21 02:12:21

Mrs Fielden,
you will have to make a couple of adjustments untill you get it right for you, it took me a year, before I felt it worked for my lifestyle. and no, the battery use has nothing to do with settings.
on the contrary, if you do lead an active life style you want it to be high so it lets you do the things you want. Its set to only kick in when needed.
I wish we could get a 1on1 when they put in the PM, thank God for this site
hope this helps.

settings

by Tracey_E - 2012-12-21 09:12:43

If you had a spell today, call and ask to have the pm interrogated. They can sometimes tell what happened by looking at the report, readjust the settings if needed so it doesn't happen again.

Lots of factors affect how long the battery lasts, only one of which is your lower limit. It's also the voltage, the age of your leads, the safety margins, the extra features you use ... lots of things! The important thing is that you feel well, if turning it up shaves a few days or weeks off the battery life, so what? :) Replacements are super easy. If the first was a 10, replacements are a 2-3.

I used to worry about how long my battery would last, but I've been through 4 of them now and have come to the realization it just doesn't matter! They tell me it's getting close, I pick a time I don't have a lot going on and get it fixed, then forget about it until the next time.

You know you're wired when...

You fondly named your implanted buddy.

Member Quotes

I just want to share about the quality of life after my pacemaker, and hopefully increase awareness that lifestyles do not have to be drastically modified just because we are pacemaker recipients.