noodles69us

Has anyone gone over 3 months after EOL? Mine went into EOL 10-11-2013 but I need a lead replaced too, the nurse called and said it would be in Feb. (maybe?) She said they didn't know how the pacemaker will do after that. I'm 61 with heart failure, kidney failure etc. It makes me wonder about the DEATH PANEL, ANYONE OUT THERE GOING THREW THIS TOO?

6 Comments

maybe not eol?

by Tracey_E - 2013-12-20 07:12:42

They typically have 3 months of elective replacement mode before they go into the 3 months (approx) of end of life mode. For the new lead, do you need an extraction of what you have or can you add it to what is already there? If extracting, esp give your other problems, they likely will refer you to someone specialized. I would call back and be firm that Feb is not good enough. Also confirm you are EOL, not ERI. Different manufacturers call it by different names. An easy way to tell, do you still feel ok? EOL paces at a steady rate so if you use it much at all, it feels pretty yucky. ERI is still fully functional and feels no different.

new lead

by noodles69us - 2013-12-20 08:12:26

they want to replace it. They could put the new pacemaker on my right side but they don't want to because of my kidney failure. I called Wed. and ask if they would just put the pacemaker in and worry about the lead later. I am EOL and feel pretty yucky and have for quit some time. Thank you for commenting back.

time to push!

by Tracey_E - 2013-12-20 09:12:58

If you have been feeling bad since Oct, it is time to get in their faces!!!! Maybe get another opinion if they aren't sure what to do with you? I can see why they don't want to put a new one on the left if the lead is bad, but if they can't put it on the right due to the kidneys, it's time to get all the drs to sit down to talk about the options, not brush you off when the clock is ticking.

How bad is the lead? I had one bad for over 5 years that I chose to leave alone through a battery change. It worked, but it killed the battery quickly. I let it go until there was no choice. When I finally decided to do it, I had a venogram to see how much room was in the vein. We were able to put the new lead on top of the old ones so it turned out to be pretty simple.

good luck!!!

leads

by noodles69us - 2013-12-20 10:12:53

Thank you Tracey, the first time I talked to the Dr. we agreed to just change the pacemaker, then for some reason he changed his mind. I've got one of the leads that was recalled,he said it would be better to change it now instead of waiting. I don't think I can wait until Feb. that's why I called his office and ask if he would just replace the pacemaker like we talked about the first time. He wasn't worried about it to start with.

lead

by noodles69us - 2013-12-21 11:12:28

I'm going to call again Monday and just tell them I can't wait, I have felt bad for way to long. Thank You again, you have helped me to put my foot down.

lead

by Tracey_E - 2013-12-21 11:12:42

If it's recalled but still working, I would not mess with it. Just my own opinion. Once it's in there for more than a year, it takes a special procedure to get it out so a few more years won't make a difference.

I wonder if the dr knows you have been calling? Sometimes the staff makes decisions, wants you to think the dr is involved but in reality he knows nothing.

You know you're wired when...

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A pacemaker completely solved my problem. In fact, it was implanted just 7 weeks ago and I ran a race today, placed first in my age group.