Battery at EOL: How much reserve?

I have a Medtronic Thera i DR PM implanted 10 years ago. Two weeks ago, my monthly telephone check revealed that the battery voltage was low and the PM was in reset mode (correct term)? That same day, I felt "funny in the head" and a bit light headed, so I knew that the battery voltage had just dropped. Now I find that I need to be careful about exerting myself, else I get light headed.

My question: How much time do I have before I reach a critical situation when the battery drops so low as to be essentially dead? If I wait 4 weeks between the telephone check that indicated the battery was low and when the PM is replaced, am I placing myself in jeopardy?

Thank you.

David

4 Comments

Get it replaced

by MSPACER - 2009-01-13 08:01:21

Hasn't your doctor set you up for replacement surgery yet? You should get it replaced this week. I would not wait any longer.

EOL

by albie - 2009-01-13 09:01:06


When your device reaches EOL it essentially goes into a safe mode. It puts itself into preset battery optimizing settings. The technical specifications manual for my last device said it had 3 months of power in safe mode before the battery is essentially dead. From my experience myself and with my patients, most physicians insert a new device within a week or 2 of finding out the battery has reached EOL. Good luck.

Time for a change

by ElectricFrank - 2009-01-14 02:01:40

Get it replaced ASAP. There is no telling how long it has been in the EOL mode already. Even worse in this mode you are just getting the minimum pacing support you need. Your experience with being light headed is evidence of this.

I would call the doctors office and tell them what you are experiencing and try to get the replacement scheduled right away.

frank

asap

by Tracey_E - 2009-01-14 06:01:23

You have symptoms now, why would you even consider waiting 4 weeks? You're getting lightheaded because it's no longer sensing when your rate needs to go up and down, it's just running at the minimum setting and staying there.

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