Opinions

Hi my name is Hunter. I'm 20 years old. I have had my second pacemaker since 2008 and I have two leads. Now that it is 2014 I know I need to get it changed, but haven't been to the doctors for about almost three years. I was wondering if there was a way without going to the doctors to figure out if the battery is empty? I mean is there any signs like shortness of breath, pain, etc. ? I haven't been to the doctors, because I need to get insurence and now I need to find a doctor who specializes in pacemakers. It's been taking me sometimes to find one, because I'm so busy being a student and Im kind of scared. I have to leads. I over heard my old doctor say that it can be dangerous to remove leads, that they need to surgical teams in the room. I don't really know what I should do. I have a third degree heart block.

5 Comments

Hunter

by Grateful Heart - 2014-11-19 07:11:53


I see you are in California. Since you are 20 you should still be covered under your parents health insurance until you are 26 in the US.

Did the Doctor tell you that your leads need to be replaced? You are on your 2nd PM so you know you don't always need the leads replaced with your PM unless there is a problem with the leads.

You do need to take an active role in your health care, especially having a PM. Students have a lot of time off so do some research and get checked out by a Doctor.

Let us know how you make out.

Grateful Heart

Get some assistance...

by rjsully - 2014-11-19 08:11:07

I don't know if you have information about local resources that may be available to you, but you can call a help line in your area (411 in most states) and ask. You really need to get in and have this checked out. If you are a student, your campus should have a student clinic. Have you stopped in there to see about help? You should have some kind of an advocate/guidance counselor available to you through your school that can guide you, they aren't just there for your educational needs. Another resource is to just call local hospitals and ask to talk with a social worker (that's what I do). They can let you know what help might be out there. The other thing a lot of people don't know about is hospitals have a thing called "charity care" They cannot refuse care to you because you have no insurance. Ask about this. I know it all seems overwhelming, but there are people who can help you...

It's Not as Expensive as you might think

by NiceNiecey - 2014-11-19 08:11:58

Hi Hunter.

If you don't have insurance on a parent's plan, get some through one of the exchanges. Since you're a student, you will probably qualify for a very inexpensive plan.

What is your diagnosis for having a PM? And how do you know it's time for a replacement? Is 6 years how long your first one lasted?

Worst case scanario is: you go to your primary care doc and s/he refers you to a cardiologist. With no insurance at all, your primary doc appt will be around $150. Then the cardiologist appt will be another $250 or so (variable depending on the area). Having the PM replaced is where you'll need to have some serious cash. You may even be eligible for Medicaid.

Please don't wait. Your very life depends on getting this taken care of right away. One interrogation of your device will tell you how much battery life they think you've got. It could be another 5 years! Or just 5 months. In any event, you'll need time to get your insurance affairs in order. Obama care has open enrollment right now. Go for it!

Unlikely to need leads

by SaraTB - 2014-11-20 04:11:28

first:
It's unlikely you'll need new leads. They have a much longer life than the PM. 20 years, say.
Second:
Even if you did need new leads, because they weren't functioning properly (you'd probably be having some symptoms if that was the case) they insert new ones and leave the old ones intact, in your body. Safest way to deal with it. There's plenty of room for two sets!
Third:
Depending on your underlying issue, you'd probably feel the change when the PM goes into elective replacement mode, as some of the bells and whistles turn off, and the pacing is more regular, which may make you feel uncomfortable (I did)
Fourth:
Get it checked! Talk to the student health office about it and see what they suggest. They may be able to guide you through getting affordable insurance as a student, for anything the school doesn't offer. And you need to educate yourself about your PM a bit more too, I suspect, which will allay your fears about the procedure.

Why Worry About Leads?

by Shaun - 2014-11-20 07:11:12

Why do you think the leads need to be changed? As far as I am aware this is not necessary just because the PM/battrey need replacing.

You know you're wired when...

Your license plate reads “Pacer4Life”.

Member Quotes

I am an avid scuba diver.