first post

I had my first pacemaker fitted in 2004 and i had a lot of problems with it. My second is nearly at the end of its battery life and has been much better. It paces my heart all the time so im not sure what will happen when they change it. If anybody else has the same situation i would like to hear from them or anybody else who can put my mind at ease.

4 Comments

No Problem

by doublehorn48 - 2017-04-26 10:15:43

I'm the same. I now am 100% dependent.  I had a recent lead replacement.  They ran a wire, for lack of a better term, up through my artery in my leg with a temporary pc.  That took care of the problem durung surgery.  You'll have no problems.

replacement surgery

by Tracey_E - 2017-04-26 17:49:16

I'm on my 5th and pace every beat. Before every replacement, they very briefly (with warning and while I am sitting) turn it off to see what my heart is doing on its own. It's been anywhere from 20 to 60 when they did that. They put the pads on me for an external pacemaker for the duration of the surgery. I have no idea if they've ever used it because I always ask for the stuff that I don't remember anything! They have the new one programmed and ready to go, so the amount of time the old one is disconnected until the new one is hooked up is very short. They will use a temporary pacer as doublehorn described if the surgery is more involved or you are a higher risk. 

Replacing pacemaker

by Rossmcgregor - 2017-04-27 12:57:20

Thank you for your comments.i have an appointment in a couple of weeks and i will find out when it is to be replaced. I have been told several ways in which the operation can be performed.  I am in the U.K. and my last implant was performed in 20 minutes with only local anaesthetic. I was only in the day  clinic for 4 hours so im hoping this one goes as well. My first implant didnt go so well as the unit was faulty and had to be replaced . I had it for 7 years and didnt feel any benefit at all from it

Replacing pacemaker

by Rossmcgregor - 2017-04-27 12:57:21

Thank you for your comments.i have an appointment in a couple of weeks and i will find out when it is to be replaced. I have been told several ways in which the operation can be performed.  I am in the U.K. and my last implant was performed in 20 minutes with only local anaesthetic. I was only in the day  clinic for 4 hours so im hoping this one goes as well. My first implant didnt go so well as the unit was faulty and had to be replaced . I had it for 7 years and didnt feel any benefit at all from it

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Member Quotes

I just want to share about the quality of life after my pacemaker, and hopefully increase awareness that lifestyles do not have to be drastically modified just because we are pacemaker recipients.