Scared-End of life indicator

Hi every one. Hope you are all doing well. I have not been on for a while because i have been dealing with a lot of chest pain and just feeling very tired and fatigued (more than usual). I wanted to ask you guys about the elective replacement indicator of end of life indicator on your pacemakers. The tech told me I have from 1 to 4 months left on my battery life. However my doc wants me to wait until the ERI kicks in and i am a bit scared. I am a 100 percent dependent on my dual chamber pacemaker and I was told by the tech that in that case the pacemaker would go to single chamber pacing and my pulse would be 65. My pulse is never that low. It is set at 70 the lowest and 155 for high. I dont want to wait until the pacemaker kicks in to that setting because i have passed out in the past and still have many issues with skipped beats and fast beats along with high and low blood pressure. What are the symptoms I should watch out for If the pacemaker does hit that setting? Seems my doctor does not want to do the surgery until then but when i talk to him about it he goes on about how there is always risk of infection. Please help with any suggestions. Thank you. God bless you all and Happy holidays.

6 Comments

Replacement

by ElectricFrank - 2012-12-21 01:12:52

I asked that they replace mine before EOL mode kicked in because I camp and hike alone. It would be a disaster if I was several miles from my vehicle and maybe at high altitude and my HR dropped to 65.

They did the replacement early as I asked. Maybe the trick is to have a reason like I did.

frank

do it now

by Tracey_E - 2012-12-21 07:12:12

If your insurance will cover it, do it before it goes to EOL. You will be safe, theoretically, in EOL, but you won't feel good. I'm on my 4th now and have always done it when it's ERI.

I don't know why he'd be going on about risk of infection. You have to have it replaced, what difference does it make when?! The risk is the same now or in 6 months. And the risk is very low, no more than any other procedure. They make antibiotic pockets the pm can be put in when it's implanted, if he's worried about it ask him for one of those.

EOL Mode

by donb - 2012-12-21 11:12:15

As Tracey & Frank posted I don't believe waiting is the answer for you. Not everyone is as fortunate as I was with my 1st PM going into EOL mode & didn't even know it until my phone check after returning from Florida showed a 65 HR. I was told I needed a PM change "Now" and I'm not PM dependent now 19 years later.
DonB

drs

by Tracey_E - 2012-12-22 09:12:32

Can you find a new dr? Sounds like this one isn't looking out for you as well as he could be.

Symptoms, it depends on how you use the pm. In EOL, it won't let you get below the minimum but it won't raise your rate higher than that. If your rate is suddenly 65 and not really going up, you are in EOL.

replacement

by brokenheart - 2012-12-22 12:12:42

Thank you all for your comments. I will definitely talk to the doctor to see if I can get the surgery done sooner. I really dont want to pass out and have it done in an emergency basis rather than have it scheduled. I dont know why doctor keeps going on about infection because it is true that risk of infection will be there now or later. I just think he does not want to operate on me. I cant figure out why. When i talk to him about my horrible symptoms I have had in the past he kinda shrugs off like its no big thing. And i have to admit, makes me a bit upset because I feel like Its not him the one who will feel it so obviously thats why he does not care. But then again, I dont want to pressure him to doing the surgery either and have him be upset. What symptoms should I watch out for? And my insurance covers it either way I already checked with them.

Getting it done,

by richard527 - 2013-02-11 01:02:28

Just got the word today. Time to get my St. Jude's replaced. I'm 100% dependent. Sure am nervous but all you guys out there sure help with your great comments. It's been nine great years with my device. I hope the next one is as dependable.

You know you're wired when...

You get your device tuned-up for hot dates.

Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker since 2002 and ever since then my life has been a total blessing.