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Hi, just joined the site but have had a pacemaker since i was 5 years old im 35. I had my first one for 22 years and it was located under my arm, im now on my 2nd one which is placed on my left chest. currently waiting on this one to be replaced after having it 8 years although i was told 9 months battery left last july and just been for a checkup 2 weeks ago and told 6 months battery left (was told that the month before) so be taking me in every few weeks now. Has anyone else had the same experience of this where the battery life seems to drag out?

4 Comments

guessing

by Tracey_E - 2013-10-17 10:10:07

How much time is left is just a guess! It's also a range, not an exact date so it may have actually been something like 6-9 months last check. Wow, 22 years is amazing, color me green! I've been through 4 in the last 19 years. My first one said 6 months for a full year before it actually needed replaced. My last one said 6 months but when we checked 6 weeks later and I was already halfway through ERI (lead was bad that time). You just can't tell. As soon as they say under 3 months, I pick a date.

Replacment

by Dazzler - 2013-10-18 07:10:04

Yep 22 years, was only changed for the sake of it being old aswell, battery was still going. I think its just i have myself in replacement frame of mind now. I am taking 25mg of Atenolol for the lst 5 months as the consultant thought these would help the papitations i was having while my pacemaker was under review for renewal. Dont like these drugs as they make you feel down, taken most of the 5 months to start to feel more normal and hopefully if i go off them then from what i read its not the best experience

atenolol

by Tracey_E - 2013-10-18 09:10:03

I've been on it for a few years and would stop it tomorrow if I could! I felt better after about 6 months on it, but it still drags me down. Does it even help with palpitations? It's usually given for fast heart rate or lower bp.

Atenolol

by Dazzler - 2013-10-18 11:10:25

It has helped, although i wasnt aware i was getting them as i have always been aware of my heart beat when im resting, thought i was still getting flutters while on them and wasnt sure if it was trapped wind as been burping a lot, 2nd last checkup and advised no sign of palpitations so they have been working. Hoping once the new PM is in i dont need to take them, changed my diet on them and lost a lot of weight as i bought a juicer and started eating fruit\veg juice\smoothies instead of caffeinated drinks....and feel better for it

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I am just thankful that I am alive and that even though I have this pacemaker it is not the end of the world.