St. Jude pacemaker

Battery replacement

by AgentX86 - 2023-07-30 23:31:10

Normally, the generators aren't replaced until at least the ERI (Elective Replacement Indicator) is active.  This is also an insurance issue. They're certainly not going to pay before ERI but may want want to wait (it is "elective" at this point).

Depending on model, ERI will allow three months of normal operation, followed by another three months of limited operation.  And that 11 months is just an estimate.  It should be reasonably accurate at this point but could still be off by a few months either way.

IOW, it's not something to worry about now.  They'll probably want to monitor it a little more often, until it needs replacement.

impossible to say

by Tracey_E - 2023-07-31 09:45:03

11 months is just a guess. When I get under a year, they switch from quarterly to monthly checks. Once I had it continue to say a year left for a full year. Once it said close to a year in August, then in November it had already switched to ERI. It's a little frustrating, but it's not like the gas guage in the car where you know exactly how many miles to empty. The closer it is to the end, the more accurate the estimate is. 

Most insurance won't cover it until ERI. A very few want it to be EOS (the stage after elective replacement where it cuts back all the extra functions) before they will cover it. ERI and EOS each last 3 months so there is a lot of cushion. Once mine switches to ERI, I schedule replacement in the next few weeks. So, if your estimate is accurate, in 11 months it will switch to ERI and you'll have a 3 month window to hvae it replaced. 

EOS sounds scary, and if you pace a lot it won't feel good, but it is safe. It paces at a steady 60bpm. So if one day you feel bad and your rate is exactly 60, that's how you'll know you are EOS. In 5 devices, I have never had this happen.

ERI is fully functional. The only way you'll know is to have it checked. 

Replacements are super easy. If I get an early appointment, I'm home fixing my own lunch. Most of the restrictions the first time were the new leads. Most of the pain the first time was the new pocket. 

Battery replacement

by poconobill - 2023-08-01 13:58:52

I'm extremely thankful for your detail comments.