costs

I was checked yesterday at French hospital in San Luis Obispo and was told I needed a new battery. My Medtronics is pumping out for 4 leads and has lasted just three years. I think they gave me a used one to have run out so quickly.

I asked the cost for a new one and she told me $200.00. My 20% I paid on the spot. I guess it's another used one.

I am worried though. First implant took almost 6 hours. Doc said the leads kept coming loose. I taught the doc some new swear words he said.

I love that Doc. I think he saved my life, and will again. No more swear words I hope. God Bless you all.

11 Comments

??

by Tracey_E - 2014-02-04 01:02:01

Why do you have 4 leads? Do you have a regular pm or CRT-D? Those would have extra leads and 3-4 years is normal for their battery life. Most places it is illegal to not use a brand new device. Used ones can sometimes be used on dogs, but that's about it.

Battery Change

by donr - 2014-02-04 02:02:01

Ron: EVERYONE gets the entire unit changed out when the Btry croaks.

The btry is hermetically sealed inside the can w/ the PM. Cannot be removed.

Don

Battery

by golden_snitch - 2014-02-04 02:02:04

You always have to replace the whole device, except for the leads. No way they only replace the battery, technically not possible, nowhere in the world.

Inga

Cost comment answered

by RonR - 2014-02-04 02:02:29

Sorry, I was just trying to be funny when I mentioned a used one. I have a CONSULTA TA CRT-D D224TRK.

After I had read about them lasting 9 years on average I was disappointed about mine lasting three. Can't understand why Canada can get the battery changed while ours here in USA change the whole thing.

The price is so cheap I'm glad I'm getting a new one though. Maybe the batteries will last longer.

Thanks TraceyE

Blessings to you and yours.

CRT-D

by golden_snitch - 2014-02-04 02:02:51

Hi!

Sounds like a CRT-D, with three pacemaker leads for the CRT and one defibrillator lead. Hard to say how long a normal battery should last in those ones, it depends on so many things. I have a friend who currently has a CRT-D with four leads (Biotronik), and it's supposed to last around 6-7 years in total. She hasn't been shocked, yet, so of course shocks would shorten that battery life. What about you, did you receive many shocks? That a battery doesn't last long can also be due to high pacing thresholds which means that a high voltage is needed to pace the heart effectively - the higher the voltage, the shorter the battery life. Since you said that there were problems when placing the leads, it could very well be that they are now in a spot where they need to pace with a high voltage.

Have you ever considered going for a second opinion, even if it was just for finding out whether the same device/surgery will be the same price somewhere else?

Best wishes
Inga

many thank you's

by RonR - 2014-02-04 03:02:42

I have never been shocked but I have been kicked in the knee twice by my horse. In fact, even though I was a rather large guy I flew all the way across the barnyard.

That is what happens when you drink too much and try lifting his hoof to clean it with a garden hose laying across his hoof on the way up. Not a good experience at best. I still had to clean his hoof's and put the saddle on and take him for a ride or he would have thought I was a sissy You really don't want your 17+ hand cutting horse think you are afraid of him.

I do think about the shock from the PM once in a while especially when I see the scars (horse shoe marks left above the knee). Shortly after that, 35 years ago, I quit drinking. To this day I check for hoses, then lift his legs for cleaning. Course it is a different horse now.

I have heard getting a shock from the PM is like getting kicked in the chest by a horse. No thanks. God blessed me with those scars to remind me to always check for hoses. No matter where they come from.

I don't get this post..

by Duke999 - 2014-02-04 03:02:42

I don't understand this at all.
Are you joking around RonR?

$200 for a new PM or ICD?

Duke

thanks gang

by RonR - 2014-02-04 03:02:55

The new one I'm getting is only $200.00 so I will stick with it.

Thanks for all the replies. You folks know so much more than I do.

Blessings

Moral of story

by RonR - 2014-02-04 04:02:46

All that's written is true. Yes on the $200.00 for new PM. I don't know what a, ICD is. I only paid $18.75 for my part of the cost. I am on Medicare but I do not have the supplemental coverage so I had to pay approx. 20%.

The moral of the story is what you make of it. For me it is pray that your PM never has to go off and give you a shock. Like a horse is kicking you in the chest. That is what has been told to me about what the shock is like when you get one.

RonR

by jeanlancour - 2014-02-05 12:02:55

Thank you for the post, I, too, have been kicked by a cranky horse when I got careless, taught me to be careful, However I kept my mouth shut when getting my PM, 60 some years ago my Mother heard me cuss, she was a powerful teacher, to this day I can't cuss. Good luck.

Canada changes the battery?

by mtaylor - 2014-02-18 01:02:54

That is the first I am hearing of this, I had better let my doc know when it's time for a new one.

You know you're wired when...

You can hear your heartbeat in your cell phone.

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