Battery usage increased...

I was diagnosed with Type I and Type II 2nd degree heart block when I was two years old. I now have CHF and all types of other issues. I am 26 and about to have my first change out... but here at my last pacemaker check I had used 2 months of battery life in only one month.... anyone else ever have this happen? Doesn't that sound strange to have used so much in just one month??? And how tired did you get at the end of your battery life? I now have less than 3 months left on my battery.

7 Comments

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by mbaker87 - 2013-07-16 05:07:03

No I understand the whole process of how it works when your pacemaker battery is almost to EOL mode... I am saying here in the past few months I have been doing monthly checks. . and in each month my battery life is one month less than the month before it. . however this last time it had went down two months of battery life in just one month.. Just wanted to know if that had happened to anyone before. I know what to expect as it gets closer. just curious about the battery life and going on so fast last month. Thanks!

Battry life

by SMITTY - 2013-07-16 05:07:48

Hello,

Either you have been lied to by someone that didn't know sheep dip from wild honey about pacemakers or you misunderstood them. Your PM batter is good for at least 5 to 7.5 years (probably longer), depending on how much it is used. Your dr can tell you the percent of time it is used when they do a checkup. My first battery lasted 9 years.

Below is part of something I wrote for a member that was concerned about what may happen when their battery ran down. The likelihood of it stopping without warning is about the same as it is for the sun to set in the East. It just ain't going to happen.

When you get a checkup the technician gets percentage of time the PM is working for you among other things in their report, and the approximate number of years of battery life left. Now, 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. No matter what yours may be called it is a long time before it will happen.

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 a 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.

Now stop worrying because you are in good hands with your PM.

Smitty

asfasf

by boxxed - 2013-07-16 09:07:44

Some pacemakers unfortunately drain faster towards the end. Some pacemakers abruptly re-adjust it's calculations on it's estimated battery life very quickly. That could be why your technician had you at a month-to-month follow up.

Battery EOL

by SMITTY - 2013-07-16 11:07:37

Sorry about my mistake. I misunderstood what your were asking.

Got my first PM in 2000 and I've had a remaining battery life report at least every 6 months. I never had one to be that precise on remaining life.

Good luck

Smitty

Boxxed is right

by golden_snitch - 2013-07-17 02:07:08

Hi!

I agree with boxxed, and I would not worry about this too much. The estimations the pacemaker makes can vary from check-up to check-up.

The first three or so years I had my current pacemaker, the battery life didn't change at all. Everytime I had the pacemaker checked, I had the the same amount of years left. Now, after nearly five years, I'm down to five years of battery left. You'd expect it to have gone down a couple of months at every check-up, but in fact it doesn't. Last time it said 5 years plus/minus 6 months, before that it said 5 years plus/minus 3 months.

Best wishes
Inga

Hey!

by mbaker87 - 2013-07-17 10:07:06

Thanks you guys! I know it won't be long before I have to go thru the surgery, but I just wanted to talk to some people about it. I just hope this surgery turns out better than the first one. Collapsed Lungs & Two chest tubes and 12 days in hospital was a bummer!!! Thanks for the support you guys!

Sending Healing Thoughts Your Way!

by mls1963 - 2013-07-22 11:07:45

I have had 15 Pacers in 40 yrs My natural heart rate is only 10-15 B.P.M. I was born with Complete Heart Block-I have never had pacer longer than 5 yrs. My heart is 100% battery operated- it's always been my experience that batteries wear down faster with constant or increased demand. But safety settings actually allow for longer than 3 mos. Actual battery life! I'm pretty sure fatigue is due to change in from type 1 to type 2 block. Are you familiar with Coreg/ Prinivil combo treatment? It may be worth asking your Dr. about. Don't know if you would be candidate for these meds but ref. Worth asking!

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