Surgery?

I have had my second pacemaker and batteries implanted four years ago. Now im a senior and high school and will be off to college next year. My doctor said there are four years left on my battery but is unsure about the leads. Do you guys think I will be able to make it through my first couple of years in college without needing another surgery. Basically how long should my leads last if I take REALLY good care of them???

3 Comments

Taking care of your leads.

by ElectricFrank - 2008-09-27 01:09:13

After 4 years there isn't much you can do to take care of your leads. By now they are well embedded in the wall of the blood vessel and heart. It's amazing they last as long as they do when you consider the heart end is flopping around with every heart beat. So I guess you could just lay around the dorm and keep your HR down. It probably wouldn't make them last longer, but it would seem longer.

Seriously, just enjoy yourself and live it up. It is very likely that your leads will at least last as long as your current pacer. I suspect that the doctors statement was just one of those off the cuff comments, or maybe he recently had someone have a lead go bad.

I'm 78 and enjoy bouncing around rough roads in my 4WD, hiking at 13,000', and whatever else I feel like doing.

frank

Frank...

by pacergirl - 2008-09-27 10:09:58

You make me laugh... I love the outdoors and I love your attitude! or is that Altitude!!!! ha ha

harrisonb...... Try not to worry.... if there comes a time to make some changes to your leads, then that is the time to think about it. Not now though... get out there and have some fun! I have personally found that worrying is just a waste of good energy!!!!

pacergirl

Leads and your PM

by maryanne - 2008-09-27 12:09:40

Well I dont' know what kind of PM you have...but you know...generally leads shouldn't have to be changed. The reason leads get changed are that they are either faulty, there are to many leads , or there is an infection. Leads are not routinely changed.....I have had my original lead for 24 years...my brother has had his for 30 years....so it all depends on the lead and what is going on with you....so I am not sure why your doctor would say they lead might have to be changed? As far as you go you can't realy take care of them.....if your PM was new I would say take caution in playing rough sports etc...but it sounds like you have had your PM for some time...it's well situated and hence the leads should not be an issue....but then maybe I don't know your whole story....

You know you're wired when...

You have an excuse for being a couch potato.

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