guidant, recall and empty battery

First I was very happy with my pacemaker . It improves the quality of my life, but after a year there was a recall from Guidant and I had a complete newe device In Bangkok. They told me the battery would at least be fine for 5 years. It nevvr chocked and now after I heard yesterday it is empty.after 3 years and 5 months. I got nervous from all these recalls and bad news. Even the docters are not so enthousiastic about Guidant and want to implant a new pacemaker. They told me, that only a battery was not possible! I am very, very sad. The battery is only empty! Marijke

3 Comments

batteries

by marijke - 2009-04-07 04:04:55

Thanks TraceyE for your comment. I am just happy they do not want to change the leads and a new pacemaker is me promised with a satelite connection for checking. Well that is something. I do not know the details yet. You are right it is what it is. An I must be happy that I could have a pacer anyway and doing my things. I only was not prepared. Marijke

what is

by Tracey_E - 2009-04-07 06:04:48

You have a good attitude! I'd love to get the maximum life out of every battery and have my leads last forever and never have any complications... but when it comes down to it, whatever happens is better than what my life would be without it. I try to remember that every day is a gift and take any setbacks in stride.

batteries

by Tracey_E - 2009-04-07 11:04:20

You can keep your current leads but still get a different manufacturer of pacemaker/battery when you get your new battery. I can see why they would not want to change leads again, but you should be able to get another type of pacemaker if that's what you want.

Actually, 3 and a half years when they estimated 5 yrs is not that bad. Five years was just a guess, your actual battery life is determined by your settings and how much you use it. A bad lead will make a battery die faster, I'm in that situation now. I will be getting about 3 yrs out of a battery that should last ten! Oh well, it is what it is :o)

You know you're wired when...

Your device acts like a police scanner.

Member Quotes

My pacemaker was installed in 1998 and I have not felt better. The mental part is the toughest.