PACEMAKER DIE

I have recently been seeing a Dr. Brenya at Toledo Clinic and have a Biotronik pacemaker installed in my during 2008. This is year doctors being caught getting big payouts to use this product. I was not consulted in advance which type of pacemaker I wanted and entire time I had this pacemaker experienced wild blood pressure swings from syncope to tachycardia. This year the pacemaker died without my doctor catching it in time. He yelled at me for letting it die. How could I know? He had to manually investigate it at the office and I did not have a communication device to tell me battery losing power. I was put in great danger since I have syncope. Doctor only schedules appointments every 6 months and the last visit I saw him it only had under 6 months battery power. I asked him if we could replace it at that time and he told me it was unnecessary. Now I read that this pacemaker dies prematurely all the time and also can cause tachycardia. Both of these issues were ignored by my doctor. Then he replaced my pacemaker on an emergency basis with another Biotronik and did not consult me! The rep did not even stay to explain the pacemaker to me or my family. I am convinced Biotronik is not the pacemaker for me. What do I do at this point? I feel very abused by my doctor and Biotronik. I suppose he got a huge payout for putting another Biotronik in me...

5 Comments

decisions

by knb123 - 2015-07-10 02:07:18

This has been a tough situation for you: you learned about a scandal involving your PM brand after you received it; your BP has fluctuated wildly since the implant; you didn't receive a home monitoring system; your EP's bedside manner leaves something to be desired; the Biotronik customer service stinks.

First of all, despite the shenanigans involving use of the Biotronik, this is an excellent brand that is widely used. Don't worry about the quality of your PM; instead, you should be asking your doctor the questions that are on your mind. For instance, how does he intend to treat your BP swings--with medication? PM adjustments? Something else? Why don't you have a home monitoring system and when does he intend to provide one for you?

Physicians' clinical skills and bedside manner are two entirely different matters. Your doc may be a fine diagnostician and doing everything right for you, but if you don't like how he talks to you, consider changing doctors. I assume the Toledo Clinic is a teaching hospital, but if not, do some research and see where else you could go--are you near the U of Michigan in Ann Arbor? They have an excellent med center. You may choose to stay with TC but that doesn't mean you can't change docs, does it? You can arrange to have your records transferred to another physician.

I would not be quick to insist that my EP implant a different brand of PM; all doctors have their favorite devices and it's best to accord them the freedom to do their work. Furthermore, it's unlikely that your symptoms come from having received a Biotronik PM rather than another brand.

Regardless of the brand of your PM, you have a right to expect excellent customer service from the manufacturer. Call their toll-free number and keep asking questions until you get answers. The PM techs have a different knowledge set than the EPs, and it's quite possible your PM needs to be tweaked.

Let us know how it goes!

Fire Them! Get another Doctor, At Least.

by PJinSC - 2015-07-10 02:07:54

As I have said several time on this forum, IT"S YOUR HEART! You are not an old dishrag to be thrown out when it stops working. It sounds like you were not set you up with a home monitor. I can't believe you went this long without one, if that is the case. If you have been getting periodic device checks the lab should have said something about battery loss. Sounds like they are not any better than the doctor.

This really chaps my jeans. He yelled at YOU for letting it die? How many of us out there have idiot lights or voltage gauges on our chests to monitor for power delivery? Answer: NONE. (Well, maybe Iron Man).

So many people just sit there and let their "doctors" run all over them. You as the patient MUST research everything from the procedure to the device to the medications. If you are uncomfortable or unsure, then ask questions and demand that you be given straight answers. An informed patient is a doctor's nightmare.

Good Luck and Good Life. PJ

I agree with PJinSC

by Lurch - 2015-07-10 03:07:21

You hired your Cardiologist, if you don't like him or don't think he is working in your best interest, fire him and find someone who will work with you!

If you have a car mechanic that ignored your complaints about how the car was running or yelled at you for mechanical issues within the car would you keep him????? If so, sorry, but you get what you deserve!

Sorting Everything Out

by TICKYTICKBOO - 2015-07-10 05:07:43

The majority of mere humans are not capable of choosing their device. There are several brands, there are several styles, Each device has it own little selection of settings.

Many doctors have agreements with the distributors of these devices, I am reasonably sure doctors get something selling and implanting these devices. My doctor went from a group practice to a private practice and now he takes lots of vacations, something he did not have before he joined with Medtronic.

It is your responsibility to follow your doctor's instructions on how often he/she wants to see you. Some doctor's order remote monitors others do not. Some devices are not remote capable.

You need to have a eye to eye discussion with your EP, if you are dealing with a cardiologist, find a EP and discuss your situation and how you might bring resolution.

My device died I had a lot of warning, three month suggested replacement period another three months before the device started becoming selective, than about 10 months after the device went into EOL, the device stopped working altogether.

I fire doctor's who take an attitude with me when I am simply asking questions or choose not to follow their recommendations. When I was refusing to have a CRT implanted I had two cardiologist refuse to accept me as a client since I refused to have a CRT implanted. I think it is my right to choose, the treatment I want and feel will help me.

None of us should be bullied by our doctors or their staff. We all have the right to be treated respectfully, it is also our responsibility to treat our doctors with respect. We are all civilized humans there is absolutely no reason on either side to be obnoxious. When I am treated in a rude manner or someone is trying to bully me, I stand up and thank them for their time and expertise, shake their hand and leave. I do not go back I find a different physician.

You have a few choices.
1. Call Biotronik and ask for names of physicians in your area.

2. Call your Health Insurance Company and ask them how to proceed. Be sure to explain how your doctor responded to your situation. Also tell the Insurer how your doctor will not see you for another 6 months, how you are in serious danger.

3. Get a list of Electrophysiologist in your area, call each clinic and see when they could work you in. Explain your device is defunct, dead, not working. My experience was the appointment clerk did not understand, my device is deader than a doornail. I spoke with the office manager, she booked me in with the doctor within two days. Your doctor has the power to replace your device immediately if that is what you need.

If you feel insecure take someone with you, who is polite and tenacious, they will help you receive the help you need from your medical provider.

I agree with PJinSC

by SUPERSALE - 2015-07-10 05:07:52

if your don't like Cardiologist then you need to get other doctor.. you are paying Cardiologist copay to visit

my Cardiologist doctor is old guy 68 - 70 all he doing on the computer every minutes that is not a doctor..

what i called it that is a cracker doctor lol

You know you're wired when...

Your signature looks like an EKG.

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