Check ups

Hello my good friends
I have yet again been for my check up and have to go again in 3 months time. This is because apparently my battery is wearing down. Just wondering how much longer it will be before I have to go and have it changed. This was my 2nd time I had a 3 month check up. My consultant said 6 months ago he will have to sort out which type I am going to have. The one I have now was implanted in 2004, is it because it is now (out dated) that he has to decide or does he think my heart is deteriorating has I am giving off quite a lot of SVT's.
Any info would be extremely grateful.
Thank you
Fluzy Suzy

2 Comments

check ps

by kiwigirl - 2013-02-14 07:02:45

Hi Fluzy Suzy,
before I had my pm changed I went from six month checkups to three month then down to two month, then four week. then I CRACKED and told them to change it asap as I was running out of energy

sometimes you just have to go crazy at someone to get them to listen to you

hope you dont have to wait too long, as it is very tiring

good luck
Katherine

Check Ups

by SMITTY - 2013-02-14 08:02:01


Hi Suzy,

Having been through the need to replace the battery in a PM I'll talk to you little about this and try to answer your questions.

Your PM is about 9 years old so the need for battery replacement is not unexpected. Mine also had to be replaced at 9 years. I doubt that is just because it is out dated. I think the battery is showing signs of getting a little weak. More on this in a minute. The PMs made in '04 are no longer available so you will have to get a new one and it may be a different brand. The Drs. have their on ideas what will work best for a particular person. Changing brand does not have to mean your heart is deteriorating. After 9 years. the PMs available can do more things for us and my guess is what was meant by the statement of "will have to sort out which type I am going to have." But why not ask the dr that question just as you posted it here?

I'm guessing you are a little apprehensive about knowing when you will need a new PM because the battery on this one is getting weak. The following is something I wrote for someone about knowing when you need a battery replacement sometime ago. I kept a copy and I'll include it here for whatever good it may do you.

Your pacemaker does give notice it is getting low on power if you know what to look for. When the battery power reaches a certain level known as EOL (End of Life) or the PM goes into ERM (Elective Replacement Mode) or one called a VVI there is enough battery power left to safely operate the PM for at least three months.

You will know when this level of battery power is reached as the PM shifts from being an on demand PM to a full time PM. As a full time PM it will make your heart beat at a constant 65 BPM, regardless of the settings it may have. When this happened to mine (at age 80), which is also a Medtronic, I knew it without a doubt. The low setting on mine was 80 and one morning I got up with a constant heart rate of 65 with a some irregular beats thrown in for good measure. It got my attention immediately.

Fortunately for me I had read what would happen when the battery reaches EOL, ERM or VVI. While it was not painful, it was uncomfortable enough to cause me to call the dr. office ASAP. I was told to it was probably a low battery and to come in for a checkup. The low battery was confirmed and I was scheduled for a new PM the next day.

The thing is, don't be concerned about being left without a working PM because of the battery. Our PMs have enough safety features we will not be left out in the cold without any warning the battery on your PM is reaching the end of its life.

I hope this is of some value to you.

Good luck,

Smitty

You know you're wired when...

You need to be re-booted each morning.

Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker since 2002 and ever since then my life has been a total blessing.