Battery replacement

battery life

by Tracey_E - 2016-12-22 13:11:37

I can think of several things that might cause them to tell you different dates. Dates are based on the usage and settings at the time they ran the report. It's usually a range, l ike 3-6 months, so one person might tell you the high end, another might say the low end. Or possibly they adjusted the settings some at the last check to eek out a little more life so now your number is a little higher. Also, it's just a guess and can fluctuate. I had one that said 3-6 months for a year, another one said 6-12 months then 2 months later was under 3. It's not like a tank of gas with a set number of miles left.  Whatever the reason, it's time to ask to get it scheduled. You don't want to get under 3 months because it can switch modes and you'll lose a lot of the function. It's safe but if you pace a lot, it doesn't feel good. 

I agree

by Good Dog - 2016-12-22 16:32:11

I agree with Tracey! I waited too long to get mine changed. I have a Medtronic and they go into a safe mode at 2 months that paces only the ventricle. It felt horrible. Short of breath and dizzy. So I'd get it changed-out at the first opportunity. I know you are at their mercy (the VA), but the idea is to try to get it changed before the battery life goes under 2 months if possible.

Batt life

by Buz - 2016-12-22 17:15:18

My feeling too.V A told me "you are not pacemaker dependant" ok so if I should need it and it isn't there? Their answer, not likely! Wow! My wife thinks they are trying to kill me! By the way I am with El Paso va ranked worst in nation. I am going to go to civilian cardiologist next week, enough of this foolishness. Thanks for comments wanted to get other opinion, thanks muchMitch

Don't worry

by Good Dog - 2016-12-22 17:31:26

As I said, I'd get it changed ASAP. However, please be assured that if they make you wait and as a result you don't feel well, it is not a dangerous situation. The safe mode at the end of battery life will keep you safe until it is changed-out. It is just that some folks feel worse than others when it goes into that mode. I sure wish the manufacturers would make some changes so we don't have to go through that. Currently, the programming is locked in that mode and nobody can change it.

Batt life

by Buz - 2016-12-22 17:52:29

good to know! I did not know about the safe mode

tks again

waiting

by Tracey_E - 2016-12-22 17:54:57

If it switches mode, it's inconvenient and doesn't feel good, but it's perfectly safe. You'd have three months of that mode before it shut down completely. They don't suddenly stop. 

Batt life

by Buz - 2017-01-05 16:19:14

a follow up on my previous post

i sent,via wireless, checkup yesterday goes to San Fran, they called me same day to tell me my batt was dead! And they called El Paso va too.

i called EP and they set me up for appointment tomorrow  1/6/17.

i am not what is called pacer dependant but it is working somewhere around 7% of time. But still I had one event, prior to pacer install, that I passed out while cycling and was unconscious for at least 35min, according to,ER records of call time and arrival time. So all this said the delay seems a little unusual, or I being paranoid?