new generator

Hello everyone,

I had a generator change this morning (my third pacemaker!) and this afternoon suddenly felt like the Energizer Bunny...I hadn't realized how much energy I had lost as the battery ran down. 

I am thrilled to be feeling better but wonder if this is something others have experienced? 

Thanks for any input

3 Comments

Not from a PM, but...

by heckboy - 2020-01-22 10:57:21

When I had to get a stent about 8 years ago, I remember walking the dog and everything felt better and smelled fresher. It was crazy. I haven't had that with a pacer replacement (I'm on #4), but if you have, that's great.

not how it works

by dwelch - 2020-01-31 00:17:13

The pacemaker doesnt run differently as the battery declines it is not like a flashlight.  It runs the same until it cant.  There is a mode where if the battery gets low enough it will set you at a fixed rate 65bpm for example and conserve power.  It can do this for a few months, and you should feel that, and if you were in that state and got a new pacer then yes you would feel refreshed when the new one went in.  But if you were not in that state then if you felt differen that means they jacked with settings which is not normal, they normally use the settings you had from the prior device.  An it aint broke dont fix it approach.

End of Pacemaker Life

by Onmy6th - 2020-02-06 16:50:01

I found a few comments about end of pacemaker life online while researching a related matter. I was so upset by comments and replies that I joined this club.  Near the end of battery life a patient must have their devices checked every 3 months and then every month. DO Not ever let a battery go into low battery mode and try to cope for 2 months. EVER.  I'm on my 6th pacer.  I was allowed to go nearly 11 years on that first one.  Because I am so far from my cardiologists, and had absolutely no information about the end of battery life, not a single line about this critical matter in all of my documents from the hospital that implanted the device. I had to have an emergency replacement in a rural hospital because calls to my first clinic said I had 2 months! So not true. They fiddled around with me and my health suffered.  My low battery mode lasted less than 3 weeks!  Pacemaker Syndrome, which is your heart trying to make up for what 65 bpm can't do for you might make you sicker than a dog. It takes 105 bpm to stand me up. Pacemaker Syndrome is when your heart and your pacemaker are not synchronized.  I wanted to die.  And then, I nearly did.  Hospital infection at replacement.  I now demand the replacement  before I go into low battery mode. I will never go through that again. I only go to the best cardiac hospitals for replacements, which is what I tried to do and it failed.  I am 95-100% paced and with each new device, they last for less and less time because the improvements eat power just like our new cars do.  A patient needs to use as much power as it takes to keep you feeling well and able to do as much physically as you are able. Trying to save battery and replace less often is foolish. And yes, you will feel like a million bucks when your device is replaced don't ask me why but near the end of the battery, you may start to feel rundown. A new battery comes with new features and a better working device, advancements happen monthly these days. So, unless you have an infection because of the replacement or, the device is not programmed for you and with the best settings for you, you should feel better.  I have no idea what it is like to only need a pacemaker for the occassional beat.  My leads have been replaced multiple times. Good doctors and techs know when your leads are not functioning at peak performance and they will replace them.  Newer devices sometimes need newer leads. There are so many variables and this is your life------ Get the best team available to care for you and your device. But, I am hear to tell you: KNOW THY SELF, take your pulse, keep a diary of symptoms, go to your appointments, get the device replaced before you have little battery life remaining.  Be proactive about your device. If you wait for bells, whether your device has or doesn't have them, you are bananas, you are risking your life and will be forced to use whatever hospital is nearby. Been there, done that.  Guess I better finish my book on this subject.

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