YEAH, I just got me a brand spankin new St. Jude Pacemaker. It has this feature in it that they may automatically take readings without me going in. I have something like wifi. I have a machine at home that takes readings and relays them back to St. Jude monitoring. The doctor went over my existing scar and did a great job. It was easy, same day in and out. I haven't yet named this one, I was thinking Betsy.

Anyone have any names for my new PM? I am open to suggestions. To all of my PM family, thanks for being here. Love to all.

 

i am very nervous 5 days out from my second surgery in 3 1/2 months. My lead came out of the lower part of my heart about 3 weeks after my first surgery. the dr wanted to wait atleast 3 months for me to heal before replacing the lead. He had to replace both leads when he went in this time and i am so scared to move or do anything in fear of dislodging them again. I know everyone says its hard for them to come loose but the first time i dont remember even doing anything to cause them to come loose.I was still sore from the previous surgery and now hurting alot. Is it safe to sleep on my right side or can that cause it to move. I am sure this all sounds so silly but my anxiety is causing alot of issues. Any suggestions or comments wo...

 

Good morning all, got a good chuckle from Don this morning about the plumbing comment.... (by the way i explain my heart condition to people like this "there are two types of heart conditions- plumbing and electrical- mine is electrical"

I have a question please everyone... I have been told that my lead is moving away from its contact point in the heart and will need to be replaced.
First: Has anyone had this (my implant is only a year old)
Second: What symptoms (if any) does anyone have with this?
Third: Have you had the surgery and did it fix it? What was recovery like the second time around? Did they use the same scar to go in? Does the scar get worse after?

Yup lots of questions as I woke up this m...

 

Hi,

Now that I am 100% and very close to the top being 100% how long will it take in stages to stop completely and what happens when it totally stops? It will take maybe one more year and then I will be 100% dependant all around. I know that the battery will still run - so from when it starts to go down and then it is done what happens to us if we haven't gone to the dr. for a new one?
Sugar Patty

 

Hi sorry I forgot to ask,

do leads and pacing generators have warranties? Anyone know?

thanks

 

Hello every one. God bless! I have not been on for a while...Well i just was feeling a bit nervous because at my last check up doc said I have about 10 months left on my battery life. This was in December. I am a bit worried about having it go into the elective replacement time because the tech said my heart rate would drop to 65 beats per minute and would only beat in the atrium. I have a dual chamber pacemaker and I am 100 percent dependent on it. I am worried these settings would make me pass out since i still have atrial tachycardia, skipped beats and vasovagal disease. Does any one know if this is safe? I spoke with my insurance and they dont have any restrictions on when i can have the surgery but its all on the doctor. Also, will i...

 

I recently visited a new doctor with greater experience with pacemaker monitoring than other doctors I had seen. He determined that my biventricular pacemaker was running at a minimal level, i.e. only performing the most critical functions, in order to save battery life which was critically low. Apparently the over-the-phone monitoring system did not recognize this situation and was reporting adequate battery life. Of course that was possible because the pacemaker was not fully functional. Does this make sense? Do pacemakers self-adjust in this way?

 

Maybe when they get the new plug in electric car charging stations we will be able to stop for pacer recharge. Anyone for it.

frank

 

I received a call from the Doctors Office today, and was informed that the "Recalled" Fidelis Lead wire was re-connected because it was working properly, and he saw no need to change it.

This does not justify the fact that I was not informed of this possible scenario prior to the operation. In addition I was not informed that the wire was re-connected following the procedure.

In fact, I learned about this via a Medtronic Rep. telephone conversation. Oh well..

Comments are welcome.

 

I had new wire put in on Jan.2, 2012... forgot and yesterday changed shower curtain liner, so was reaching up over my head, all night pacemaker site was very sore and burning sensation in it, which is still occuring was wondering is this something I should see a dr. about, leaving for florida in a week and would like to be feeling good before leaving my dr.

 

Leads are so near skin surface they feel like they may easily break through skin. Should I put some kind of a patch over them until I see my cardiologist? What do I use?

 

Frank,
Thank you for the excellent feedback, that's exactly what I will do!

Hopefully, the Doctor will reply with an exceptable explanation.
Thank you again for your time, and advice.

 

I had a Pace/Defib replaced recently. The original one had a
Re-called" Lead wire attached to it. The Doctor connected the questionable wire to the newly installed device.

I called Medtronic Inc. and was told that it was a "Doctor decision", and there may have been several reasons why the Doctor decided to re-connect the wire.

They would not comment further.

I called the Doctors Office, he did not return my call as of this date.

Has anyone here had a "Re-called" wire attached to a newly installed device, and for what reasons?

 

Hello,
I have had my pacemaker for 3 weeks. The Dr. tries to adjust it every week. My problem is that I am having a spasm like activity in my diaphragm when doing certain activities. The Dr. said the lead is hitting a nerve. Has anyone else had this problem? Thank you in advance if anyone could tell me anything about this.

 

I had a Pace/Defib replacement procedure recently. An original connected Lead wire was a Re-call, and declared non-usable by the Medtronic Corporation.
Should I be concerned that the Doctor while performing the procedure attached the questionable original Re-called Lead wire to the new device, anybody ever heard of this being done before?

 

I am 25 years old I had my first pacemaker implanted when I was 1 day old and it was fine however since i got into my teenage years I have had to have a pacemaker more and more frequently due to fracturing the lead I had another pacemaker on Friday where I had a third lead added to the two leads already implanted. Does anyone else have this problem with fracturing there leads?????

 

I have a st. Jude v-343 lead mod.1688 tv/52,7001/65,1056t/86.I went to my hart doc at stanford hos. 2weeks ago,he told me st Jude has a small problem with the leads with my ICD shorting out do to a problem with the insulation over the wire shorting out causing it to shock me in cycles over and over.So he gave me a magnet to stop the shocks till I can get help,My question is does any buddy else heard of this problem with the leads of st. Jude?????

 

i have had my pacemaker just over a year now. my heart rate was in the mid 30's......so i felt better in the recovery room
my question is......i had my pacer (st. jude) checked today and noticed the spare battery i have in my kit. when do i know to change it?
i have a leaky heart valve, but no other heart problems. i'm a 65 year old female.
priscilla clark

 

Hi. My dual pacemaker battery is due for renewal. i assume it's a simple operation without anaesthetic. Or? Do I have to spend a night in hospital?

Have any of you elected NOT to have your battery replaced and what then happened to your health?
Thanks

 

Hello I just got my pacemaker (St Jude PM3210) installed Thursday and I was just wondering how easy it is to dislodge the leads. I was told not to raise my left arm above my head or behind my back. Since I have not been in any pain, I have found it difficult to remember that I just had the surgery. Therefore, more than once, I have done exactly that. Left arm up or behind my back. I have tried very hard to follow doctor's instructions, but I am worried that I will dislodge one of the three. I know they try their hardest to get the leads stable, but I am a worrier and am concerned I will be the cause of this particular failure.
Any ideas or experience with this issue?