Battery Conservation mode

Does anyone know what to expect in "battery conservation mode"? I had my pacemaker replaced with a CRT-P in January, then again in April when the a-lead had noise and the pacemaker battery life was already low. Now it's July and I'm told that I need to go in because the pacemaker is in "battery conservation mode". I have been having trouble just walking. We've been camping and hiking. However, it's extremely difficult to get around. I'm short of breath; the pacemaker doesn't seem to increase it's rate, and I'm getting more CHF symptoms, now. Is this a mode where it like EOL? Any information is greatly appreciated.

7 Comments

PM In Batery Consversation Mode

by SMITTY - 2013-07-14 06:07:10

Hello Rex,

Below is a copy of something I wrote for a member a few days ago that was going through pretty much the same thing you are.

When the battery power reaches a certain level known as EOL (End of Life) or the PM goes into ERM (Elective Replacement Mode) or one called a VVI there is enough battery power left to safely operate the PM for at least three months.

You will know when this level of battery power is reached as the PM shifts from being an on demand PM to a full time PM. As a full time PM it will make your heart beat at a constant 65 BPM, regardless of the settings it may have. When this happened to mine I knew it without a doubt. The low setting on mine was 80 and one morning I got up with a constant heart rate of 65 with a some irregular beats thrown in for good measure. It got my attention immediately.

Fortunately for me I had read what would happens when the battery reaches EOL, ERM or VVI. While it was not painful, it was uncomfortable enough to cause me to call the dr. office ASAP. I was told to it was probably a low battery and to come in for a checkup. The low battery was confirmed and I was scheduled for a new PM the next day.

The thing is, don't be concerned about being left without a working PM because of the battery. Our PMs have enough safety features we will not be left out in the cold without any warning the battery on the PM is reaching the end of its life.

Good luck,

Smitty

battery conservation mode

by RexMom - 2013-07-14 09:07:31

Thanks Smitty
I was asking because my pacemaker is only 3 months old. I have had 5 pacemaker changes since 1995, when I was 27. None gave me more trouble than I'm having now. I'm not worried, as I have complete confidence in my Dr.'s. I really wanted to know why a pacemaker would go into "battery conservation" mode when it is so new. And if that mode was like EOL, or could it be fixed with programming. The one it replaced only lasted 3 months. I guess only time will tell. I have an appt. with the Dr. in 10 days. It is crazy. Everything I'm experiencing is just like when my pacemakers have needed replacing in the past. I am hoping that they can fix the mode it's in. I have no underlying rhythm, so am pacemaker dependent. I agree that it is uncomfortable to go from rate responsive to UHG! :) Thanks again

RexMom

Here's a Contact Person For You!

by Many Blessings - 2013-07-14 10:07:14

Hi RexMom,

You need to private message Shortcake. She's one of the gals on this site (not very active here in a while) who also has problems with her battery life. She has hers changed out every 7-8 months or so, due to her battery life ending. She too, is PM dependent, and has a CRT-P with AV Node ablation.

Please, please, please contact her. If you type in "shortcake" under Member List (top, left hand side of site), you can private message her. I am in contact with her, so I will let her know you will be contacting her.

I really think she is one of the VERY FEW that can answer your questions and understand what you're going through. She has been through this for the last 15+ years, and has participated in many research projects with more than one PM company, about her problem with her PM battery life.

I hope this helps and gives you hope!

PS: Yikes

by Many Blessings - 2013-07-16 09:07:10

I just reread my message and didn't want anyone to think I meant that no one else could give you good advice when I wrote "Shortcake is one of the very few that can answer your questions & understand what you're going through". I hope no one took it that way, because I truly didn't mean that at all.

I just meant Shortcake can relate to you, and let you know what she's been told over the years since this is not a common occurrence on such a regular basis, and this is what she's been living for the last 15+ years.

I believe too, Smitty is right that I don't think you'll be left without a working PM, but I hope they are watching you extra carefully, since the battery life (like Shortcake's) goes down so very quickly, which may also affect the battery conservation mode, depending on what is causing the battery life to go down so fast.

I'm glad Shortcake private messaged you. I sure hope she can help you figure out things, and give you some hope and good advice! She's awesome, just like so many others on this site! :)

Update

by RexMom - 2013-07-18 10:07:33

Ok - So here's what I know, now. The battery conservation mode was just to keep me from sending data over the Merlin Network. It apparently uses a lot of battery and before using battery life up, I needed to have the pacemaker adjusted in office.
As for why I needed so many new pacemaker's in the last 8 months. . . I had my a-lead fail (it was 18 years old) and needed to be removed in January. They replaced my pacemaker from November with a CRT-P to improve my CHF. In April, there was again, a problem with the a-lead and what looked like a bad pulse generator (turns out it was a software glitch, they only just discovered a few days ago) Because they thought the pacemaker was bad, the a-lead and pacemaker were replaced. Now, here I am, today. I am currently in VOO mode, paced at 60bpm. It is horrible. Apparently the only old lead left in my body (8 years old)has decided to not work properly. The RV-Lead. I had failure to capture for the last couple days and what a time it was having a heart rate of 25. Not fun! I am awaiting a date for replacement next week. So once I have everything new, next week. . . It will all be good. I've never had such bad luck. My pacemakers usually last at least 5 years, and I hardly live like I have one. This year? Not so much. I'm looking forward to getting back to normal. Even with all that has gone on over the last 8 months, with this new CRT-P my ejection fraction went from 40% to 64%. So thankful for a team of Dr.'s sticking through thick and thin.

Thanks!

by RexMom - 2013-07-21 07:07:59

Thanks for all your advice. No worries on this end. It was my first time at the site and I've had a pacemaker for 18 years. (I'm 45) Thought I'd give it a try and see who might know what. There's some very good advice and support at this site. Surgery is Thursday in Boston. They are replacing everything. I'm looking forward to feeling better. I do appreciate any and all the advice. Have a great day.

Oh Good!

by Many Blessings - 2013-07-21 12:07:02

Oh good! I was wondering how you were doing. Best of luck getting back to normal! You haven't had too good of luck recently, have you. I know Shortcake's battery itself wears out very quickly, but it's the actual battery, not her leads. I was thinking that was your issue as well. You hear of that every once in a while, but not as often as once or twice a year for 15+ years straight. That's why I thought she could relate to you, more than any of the rest of us could. Good to know they know what's going on, and can hopefully fix it for you soon!

Good luck! And, hopefully, things will start going better for you.

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