battery

I received my pacemaker 6 years ago. When it was inserted I was told to expect a 5-7 years before the battery would need to be changed. I am feeling good but I find myself aware more of the pacing . I will see my M.D. next month but am wondering if I should go sooner. I would be interested in feedback from members about the symptoms they experienced when the battery is running low. Would it be a sudden drop in energy or gradual?
I know that we are all very individual but I would still welcome feedback of your experiences.
Thanks,
Bonnie

2 Comments

Same thing: I knew at once

by SaraTB - 2013-02-19 02:02:32

I am 100% paced, so my PM is working all the time, so naturally has a shorter life than some others. When my first PM switched to ERM, like Smitty, I knew at once: it happened around lunchtime. I was immediately aware that things were somehow 'different' - I could still function, but it was certainly different. I guessed what it was, called my EP's office, who had me come in the next day: they confirmed I was right to 5 mins of the switch. Was told I had plenty of time to schedule the replacement, but we opted for a week or two later for convenience anyway. I had plenty of time to review different brands of PM with my EP too, who was very supportive.

As Smitty says, there are plenty of safeguards built into our pacemakers to ensure we have ample time to plan the replacement.

Needing A New PM Battery

by SMITTY - 2013-02-19 12:02:56

Hello Bonniefox,

Having been through the need to replace the battery in a PM I'll talk to you little about this and try to answer a questions. I was told the same thing about how long to expect the battery to last when I got my PM It had to be replaced after 9 years service. Its life is purely a function of how much it has to work Mine was helping my heart less than 10% of the time. Your dr get a report on how much your PM is helping each checkup. Also on the checkup report is an estimated remaining life of the battery. So talk to him about what these reports are showing.

I'm guessing you are a little apprehensive about knowing when you will need a new PM because the battery may be getting weak. The following is something I wrote for someone about knowing when you need a battery replacement sometime ago. I kept a copy and I'll include it here for whatever good it may do you.

Your pacemaker does give notice it is getting low on power if you know what to look for. When the battery power reaches a certain level known as EOL (End of Life) or the PM goes into ERM (Elective Replacement Mode) or one called a VVI there is enough battery power left to safely operate the PM for at least three months.

You will know when this level of battery power is reached as the PM shifts from being an on demand PM to a full time PM. As a full time PM it will make your heart beat at a constant 65 BPM, regardless of the settings it may have. When this happened to mine (at age 80), which is also a Medtronic, I knew it without a doubt. The low setting on mine was 80 and one morning I got up with a constant heart rate of 65 with a some irregular beats thrown in for good measure. It got my attention immediately.

Fortunately for me I had read what would happen when the battery reaches EOL, ERM or VVI. While it was not painful, it was uncomfortable enough to cause me to call the dr. office ASAP. I was told to it was probably a low battery and to come in for a checkup. The low battery was confirmed and I was scheduled for a new PM the next day.

The thing is, don't be concerned about being left without a working PM because of the battery. Our PMs have enough safety features we will not be left out in the cold without any warning the battery on your PM is reaching the end of its life.

I hope this is of some value to you.

Good luck,

Smitty

You know you're wired when...

Your kids call you Cyborg.

Member Quotes

I am 100% pacemaker dependant and have been all my life. I try not to think about how a little metal box keeps me alive - it would drive me crazy. So I lead a very active life.