Low stamina: dead battery

Low battery

by Sue H. - 2018-04-12 08:59:23

Yes, that’s why you feel  that way.  My battery went into replacement  mode and I felt very tired, no stamina.   It stayed at a constant rate with no rate response.  Now that I have new pacer, the difference is amazing. Good luck with your replacement. 

stamina

by Tracey_E - 2018-04-12 09:28:19

Your lack of stamina is definitely the pacer. When they get to the end, they cut back function so it's probably no longer getting your rate up. It'll keep it from geting dangerously low, but that's about it. Can't they get you in sooner? Usually once it switches modes they get us in within a day or two. Take it easy until you get the new one.

Low stamina: dead battery

by wantok - 2018-04-12 11:24:59

Thank you so much.  I put it off a bit because I have a musical recital and didn't want to do it a day before because, ironically, the recital can be physically demanding.  But I will see what I can do.  Nice to know it isn't just accelerated aging.

Low stamina: dead battery

by wantok - 2018-04-13 11:31:19

Anyone have any thoughts about doing a marimba recital where I play 4 songs that do involve the upper body 30 hours after battery replacement surgery?  (Probably comparable to a brisk freestyle swim for under 20 minutes)

relax and ride it out

by dwelch - 2018-04-16 03:01:34

Couch potato time, binge watch those tv shows you have been meaning to watch.  Kinda surprised they would say no restrictions.  I couldnt make it up the stairs at work without a break in the middle, switched to the elevator until after my next device.  If you were to do something active, pass out, get hurt, that would be on them.

They possibly/probably locked the pacer at say 65 beats per minute (not a doc thing but the folks that made it).  It doesnt have to burn as much power making decisions, can stretch out the last of the battery for a few months.  Also helps that we the patient dont feel so good, out of breath, cant do the activities we used to do just days ago, etc, call the doc, doc checks the rate, maybe doesn an interrogation, there you go...

This is an automatic thing, they cant program it to go back to normal, if they could that would be a huge liability to burn the battery down faster.

Was told that insurance companies are pushing the docs to have us fall into this mode before they will approve the replacement.  I guess they think they save a few bucks stretching the device out a little longer (actually they do if you think about it).  If not the norm I expect it will be before long.  So some folks may have had replacements without going into this mode, but going forward I expect more of us who have not already dealt with this, will.  I guess we will see what happens.

This is all part of the pacemaker experience.  Enjoy it.