Battery Change after 14 years

Amazing

by Gemita - 2024-09-27 03:40:10

Joe, wow, that is a long life, although it doesn’t sound as though your device gave much in the way of early warning signs of battery depletion.  Hope you won’t have to tolerate “low power mode” for too long.

Cannot speak from experience since I am still on my first pacemaker implanted in 2018 which is definitely not scheduled to last 14 years.  From what I have been told, a “first” device change is fairly straightforward because there is usually no need to change the leads.  It will therefore be a matter of opening the pocket, disconnecting the spent device from the old leads, preparing the pocket (cleaning, disinfecting etc.) before attaching the new device to the old leads, thoroughly testing the new device with the old leads to make sure that the connection is sound, before closing the pocket. 

I attach a helpful link (please copy and paste into browser to open) in case you or other members want to read more.  Scroll down to “what happens during device replacement”.  They may use an antibiotic pouch with the new device to help prevent infection for example.

Of course healing time will also depend on whether your replacement device is a similar sized device to your first, that will fit into the same pocket.  A bigger device system would of course need more space.

You sound as though your first implant was fairly traumatic because you also had a tricuspid valve replacement procedure which no doubt was the main reason for your long recovery period.  Since there will hopefully be no new leads to worry about, with their usual after placement restrictions, your recovery following your replacement device only should be fast.  You should feel well enough to return to work, albeit a bit sore, after a day or two rather than weeks.  Your level of pain should certainly be less too than from your original implant since the pocket to accommodate your device + your leads, are already be in place. 

The pocket preparation and the leads insertion were the main cause for my initial discomfort I recall, so any replacement device only procedure, without the need for new leads, would be an easier, shorter, less invasive, relatively pain free event.  Other than paying attention to the wound healing process and keeping the wound dry and watching out for any infection, you should be good to go quickly after your replacement procedure.  Stay safe Joe and please get that new device as soon as you can.

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/implantable-device-replacement-procedure#:~:text=Your old generator will be,can work just as before.

Long life

by piglet22 - 2024-09-27 05:24:06

Hello 

14 years is certainly a long.device lifetime. You haven't given me type of Medtronic you have, but 9 to 10 years is about average, so you've done well.

It says a lot about battery technology and the efficient use of that energy.

Without looking at the manual for your device, I wonder if you have gone through the replacement indicators such as consecutive low battery readings. It would be interesting to hear how you were monitored over the years.

Normally, as the battery starts to show signs of depletion, you go onto more frequent checks.

Do you attend face to face or rely on a home monitor like MyCareLink?

If you were being monitored, it demonstrates nicely the rapid fall of output once the critical knee has been passed.

It resonates with my own experience of mode change despite 3-monthly checks.

Perhaps you could let us know how you get on, in particular, how your team deal with your very high dependency on the device.

Hope it all goes well.

Maybe update your profile to include the new device you get.

Pain

by doublehorn48 - 2024-09-27 11:12:04

Like all the rest of the comments, 14 years, that's great. I had a pm replacment  in July so my memory is still sharp. I didn't remember a lot of pain from previous implants. And this latest one was about as close to no pain as you can get. I didn't notice any real swelling. I didn't need any meds, no Advil or Tylenol. I didn't raise my arm over my head for about a week, but I did move my arm. You shouldn't have any problems.

Good luck,

m. scott

Pain

by PortCityPacer - 2024-09-27 11:39:52

I had my first PM implanted July 8th, I wasn't sure what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. I had almost no pain, didn't even take any pain meds, on mobility issue is I was told not to raise my elbow above shoulder level for 6 weeks and I wore an immobilizer to bed for those 6 weeks. Good luck on your replacement.

why some battery last long, some are short

by smopace - 2024-09-27 14:48:34

You are 100% depedent on this PM, I assume it will use more battery than people not 100% dependent on that.

Just had mine

by pezzypooh - 2024-09-29 23:28:19

I just had my first replacement in April, 2024.  My Dr claims people go back to work the next day, but I would not have been able to tolerate it.  I actually had quite a bit of incision pain and pulling (my pacer is in the upper part of my left breast, so...).  I actually was really happy I did not return to work until 2.5 weeks later - and was still not at 100%