Low battery

Not feeling Vibrations

by pacergirl - 2019-04-04 22:54:04

Hi, I have a St. Jude and my PM is running low. I did not experience any vibration, but my Merlin, which is wireless, sent an urgent message to my dr.  I was so surprised ~ in a bad way ~ that the PM was running low on battery life. I am now set up for an April 22 Generator replacement. This will be my 3rd. It took me by total surprise and it took me some time to come to terms with getting a new PM a year earlier than expected. However "Merlin" really works!

Merlin?

by kkc915 - 2019-04-04 23:07:55

Yes Merlin. That is what my friend has.  I don't have one of those. I guess you get that with a St Jude pacemaker? 

So how bad is it to get another pacemaker??

Since you have been through this before, approximately how long does it take from the time your told the battery is running low and replacement? 

Good vibrations (not with a Medtronic)

by AgentX86 - 2019-04-04 23:10:45

Medtronic and Boston Scientific pacemakers and ICDs make sounds rather than vibrating.  St. Judes vibrates and doesn't make sounds. 

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDdgGns5snQ>

Depends on the model

by LondonAndy - 2019-04-05 04:42:55

I have a Medtronic Ensura, and had heard about the alerts given by other pacemakers when the battery is low so I asked my tech when I went for my first check what did mine do.  He said it doesn't do any alert, but just goes into "Basic mode", or "End of Life" mode [of the pacemaker, not me!].  He programmed my pacemaker into this mode and said to walk slowly down the corridor to see how I felt.  I felt normal, but my heart felt as if it had doubled in weight, and doubtless if I ran I would very soon have run out of energy.

So far I am only 4.5 years into my first device, so I haven't experienced a low battery situation yet, and my annual checks show it has at least three years life left.  But as I am also 100% dependent I will be paying close attention to how my heart feels in three years or so time!

replacements

by Tracey_E - 2019-04-05 09:40:51

Every model is different but I don't think any of the older ones beep or vibrate. I'm on my 5th, have never had a beep or vibration at the end, just the interrogation report. The timing has been different on each of them between when they told me it was low until when I had it replaced. Fastest was a week, longest was 2 months.

If they are checking it every month now, I would imagine you'll have a month or so to get it done when they say it's time. There are usually two modes at the end. First is elective replacement mode (ERI), like the gas light in your car. Everything is still working normally. This mode lasts about 3 months. After that, it goes into EOS, which is end of service and it means it will pace you at a steady 60bpm. If you are dependent you will be safe but it will feel like crap because your rate will no longer go up higher. This mode also lasts approximately 3 months. 

I have always had mine replaced before it got to EOS, so as soon as it hit ERI, I picked my time to have it done. Some insurance wants it to switch modes before they change it. I don't know if I've never had that kind of insurance or my doc was good at convincing them I needed it before that point, but I've never been EOS. 

Replacements are super easy!!! If your leads are still good, they will go in the same place, pop the box out, test the leads, attach the new box which will be programmed and ready, close. If I get an early appointment, I'm home for lunch. If the first was a 10, this is a 3-4, because most of the restrictions the first time were new leads and most of the pain was new pocket. Now it's all scar tissue. They usually test my underlying rate before surgery to see how low I get without the pacer. They have always put these giant pads on that are an external pacemaker. I have no idea if they've ever needed it because I sleep through that part! But it's there in case the change out doesn't go as quickly as planned. 

So, questions to ask

- are you ERI or EOL now?

- will your insurance cover when it's ERI?

- is there any indication your leads are not good? 

Tracey_E

by kkc915 - 2019-04-05 10:35:56

Thank you sooo very much. 

You have gave me great insight of what I need to expect and also great information concerning my health insurance. 

God bless

Tracey___E

by zawodniak2 - 2019-04-05 14:31:42

I agree with everything Tracey has offered.  One exception in my case was before I had my Medtronic pacemaker replaced my pulse stayed at 65 BPM regardless of my activity level..  I was starting to feel very fatigued the week before replacement. I guess I went from ERI to EOS mode. I used a finger pulse oximeter then, so I know it was very accurate.  Now I wear a Fitbit  and view my 24-hour heart rate records on my iPhone and it is extremely reassuring to view a flat line at 60 BPM  during sleep. I highly recommend all pacemaker recipients to have either device handy-----especially when reaching the useful life of the battery.

                                         Rodger

Pacemaker battery running low sound

by Dave H - 2019-04-05 16:43:36

About 7 months ago, I was sitting in the crowded clinic I visit for a Lipid panel blood draw. Waiting area was packed with folks who wanted to get the procedure done so, they could run home and eat.Suddenly, a screehing wail - like a British Police Car Siren - emminated from ME!  -- Talk about those around me freaking!!  It was the low battery alert - It'll go off at 8AM everyday!

--Dave--

zawodniak2

by kkc915 - 2019-04-05 21:26:00

Fitbit sounds like a good ideal

Thanks

DaveH

by kkc915 - 2019-04-05 21:29:22

Oh my! That would freak everyone around you out.  Heck it would probably freak me out too.

Thanks for the post

DaveH

by BarbD - 2019-04-05 23:13:16

Is there a way to turn off audible alerts in Medtronic devices so that it just vibrates? If I'm at work I wouldn't want alert to go off. 

Medtronic vibrating

by AgentX86 - 2019-04-06 00:16:29

I don't know if the alarm can be turned off but from what I read, none of the Medtronic pacemakers are capable of vibrating.

ditto

by dwelch - 2019-04-07 02:31:48

Like Tracey_E I am on number five.  three medtronics, one st jude and currently a boston scientific.  the st jude didnt make end of life got swapped out mid life for a three lead bi-ventrical.

Have been in the 65BPM mode on a couple three of them, easiest way to know something is going on.  Is that your rate is stuck, try to climb some stairs or something like that, cant make it up because your heart rate wont change.  

Aint no thing, you have been through this before, the rest of them are easier than the first one.  Similar but easier as you have done it already.  Few weeks of recovery, some things get easier every week, sleeping, washing hair, etc.

Also I think my quickest turnaround was a week others were weeks, not necessarily months.

Fitbits and such dont necessarily work on all pacer patients.  If you found a heart monitor that works for you, great go for it.  If it doesnt, oh well.  Pretty easy to just take your pulse.

Low Battery

by Echosmom - 2019-04-19 23:36:03

I have a St. Jude implanted in 2011. Yesterday I was told my bettery is low and have 3 to 4 months. I did not feel any vibrations or sounds. But have been feeling palpitations. I to am a little anxious about this. I dont know about you but the pain after my last one was implanted was bad. I also live very rural nearest medical facility is a hour away. My cardiologist said he would put me on IV antibiotics while proecdure is going on and send me home with antibiotics. Said infection was the biggest concern.