Bad Times

My Wife has had a pacer/defib installed in 06. She has long Cardio history, 7 stints, double and triple by passes, 2 heart attacks, 1 small stroke. Doctors said She would be gone 2 years ago, so just shows how well They predicted.
Things got to be pretty normal, other than a slow weakening. April 24th She called Me into room and said something didn't feel right. I asked Her if She wanted to go to ER and said no let's wait a bit. Not 30 seconds went by and She let out the worst blood chilling scream I ever heard. Needless to say defibulator started firing. 911 seemed like a year getting to Us but only 5 mins. Her defibulator fired 35 times every minute till She was in hospital.
After a two week stay She came home with only 30% flow and valves leaking. She chose to have defib. shut down due to the terror She was in about it going off again. She's been on hospice since. I can tell time is running out
Of course She had left the pacer operational. Last night about midnight it started the 16 beeps every 6 hours for low battery. Her Doctor that installed device would no longer see.Her.as She had defib. shut down. Being on hospice I would guess Medicare will not pay to bother changing battery since She already has a DNR order. Anyone know how long warning will keep going? Or how low battery is when warning starts? I know to ask Dr.this stuff but it's the weekend and can't even talk to Boston Scientific. thanks,Walt

4 Comments

batteries

by Tracey_E - 2012-11-04 09:11:09

There are two modes at the end of a device's life. The first is ERI, elective replacement mode, and it lasts about 3 months. It's still fully functional at this time. The second is EOL which is end of life, it has limited function, and also lasts about 3 months. All of these numbers are simply estimates, actual time depends on how much she uses it. If we are dependent, we usually feel a big difference when it goes EOL because it paces at a steady rate, does not go up as needed.

Ask if they can turn off the warning beep.

Prayers for peace for both of you.

Prayers

by Grateful Heart - 2012-11-04 10:11:50

Praying for you both.

prayers and thoughts

by Hope - 2012-11-04 12:11:18

Hi! On my second ICD/pacemaker, BS also. I was told it would emit about a 3 mo. warning. Functioning time available is affected by dependency. As you stated, you need to get in touch with your wife's medical care. I know this is so hard for you, also. I will keep both of you in my thoughts and prayers. Hopeful Heart

Reply's

by Windwalker - 2012-11-05 12:11:03

Well thank you all for the kind words and info. It has not repeated the beeps as far as We can tell. I've of course spent hours reading up on subject. Finding myself here along the way. :-)
She was never a candidate for a heart due to diabetes and other health issues. So last 5 years have just been chemical treatments. She does still take Her heart, BP meds, water pills etc. The Hospice Doctor has asked Her if She wished to stop them, but She's not in that big a rush to find out what's on the other side.
When Boston Scientific came out to deprogram defibulator operation He said it was not running in a pacer mode. That She was beating fine. Of course You know there's good days and bad.
She was to have some unrelated tests done just before this incident but no Docs would take the risk to put Her under.
She will have more info to go on tomorrow so we'll see. She's so weak already I can't picture trying a battery change as already stopped defib. Most likely I think She wil just want alarm off. But hey, I've only been married to Her for 35 years and yet the winds can still change direction.LOL

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