I have been having some buzzing noise coming from my pacemaker, Is that normal?

 

I was just reading how the next iphone may have wireless battery charging. Imagine us having wireless recharging for our pacemakers and no need to replace. Wishful thinking or maybe just around the corner? Is there an app for that ; )

 

When I went back to have my bandages removed after getting my new PM I was seen by a nurse practitioner instead of my doctor. She made a remark about my leads not being rusty; I didn't get an opportunity to ask her about it. Have any of you heard about leads rusting and, if so, is it a rare event rather than to be expected at some point?

Thanks a lot.

 

Hi Frnds,

My father has been implanted with PM in July 2011.He has been going to Dr for regular checkups during at 6 months interval.During his recent visit he got fainted in-fact badly shocked when Dr was doing the checkup or trying to do the tuning.After the shock Dr is saying that there is some issue with the lead and due to which he has set the Threshhold value to 5V which is very high and suggest my father to have a surgery so that he can either replace the lead or see what has been wrong.

I just want to know if such type of shocks are common things during PM checkups or it's very rare and i should complaint against Dr in Hospital.

Please suggest.

Thanks in advance

 

Hi -- My St. Jude Zephyr 5826 will be four years old this coming August. When it was implanted I was told that the average life was about eight years. I go for a pacer check every six months and it seems that at each visit the probable longevity decreases. Today I was told that I pace about 87% of the time and that my pacer should last another year or two? I get absolutely no reasonable response from the tech when I ask if this is normal and why the estimated life keeps decreasing. Does anyone have any idea what this is all about? Thanks, ArnieK

 

They have discovered that I have a severe block in my superior vena cava from my pacer leads right at the entry to my heart. The Doctors feel we need to extract the leads and place a stent. They are thinking it might be best to then implant the pacemaker using the epicardial approach to avoid any more damage to my venous system. I am fully dependent on my pacer.

Curious if anyone else has had a similar block and also curious what other peoples experiences are with an epicardial implant? How much more invasive is the procedure compared to putting it in the veins? Any input is greatly appreciated as I have some big decisions to start making :(

 

Well I knew my battery was getting low, (last interrogation five months ago said seven months minnimum remaining), but Monday evening it dropped into EOL mode.

I knew something was up immediately so Tuesday went to see pacing tech who confirmed my suspicions. Interestingly it also showed a lead warning in December, maybe the reason for shorter than expected battery life?

Now I feel rubbish, whenever my PM is interrogated I feel horrible, I think this is due to it being VVI when interrogated? It looks like I'm stuck feeling like that now until they can schedule the replacement. Does anyone else feel absolutely horrible (tight/full chest feeling etc) when they are interrogated or in VVI mode?

Thanks all btw ...

 

At my last interrogation, I found out my AV synchrony had increased from 53% to 63%. The technician couldn't tell me why for sure, but thought it might have to do with cutting back on my medications for fibromyalgia (which has been improving).

I just got a call to let me know that they will be booking me for surgery shortly to get a new PM with 2 leads. Currently I just have a ventricular lead, which is standard here in BC, Canada. Hence, the AV dissynchrony.

Can AV synchrony keep improving on its own? I guess I do need the atrial lead since 63% is still very low? Is the second surgery easier than the first? Here in BC we have no choice about anaesthesia. It's done with a local. I had to lie flat on my back ...

 

Hello all,
I had my pm 27Nov and was delighted with it until 28Dec when the follow up showed the ventricle lead was not seated. Had a lead revision 4Feb and just gone for this follow up and it still is wrong. Now I am to have a active fixation lead sooner rather than later.
I have been so careful with movement - the pm was stitched in and the Dr gave me a bit of extra slack so I don't know what has happened. The nurse said it might be my anatomy causing the problem - does anyone have any ideas about this please? Are there any extra risks I need to be aware of with this type of lead?
Look forward to any information you can give me.
Sue (in uk)

 

Hi everyone,
So I timed my pregnancy poorly and I have to go in to have my pacemaker replaced 2 days from now... I'm 15 weeks pregnant. I preregistered today and just feeling a bit nervous. I'm 31, had my PM for 13 years with one battery replacement. This is my second. I have complete HB. The obstetrician says the anesthesia will not hurt the baby and all should be fine. My nerves went away a bit when I thought about all the little children who get very invasive surgeries every day... If they can do it, so can I. Hopefully once this is over, I can just enjoy my pregnancy... Anyway, just wanted to check in... My baby and I are gonna be ok right? Just a minor battery replacement?? Uhg... I hate surgery... Anyway hope ya'll are well!! I...

 

I am scheduled for an AV node ablation with the addition of the third lead and a change of the PM. The insurance has refused to pay for the third lead. They don't have a problem with all the surgery, new PM etc. Their thinking is I must be in congestive heart failure before they will sanction the third lead. I have seen a few studies that indicate the addition of the second ventricular lead gives the patient more strength and prevents heart failure down the road. Can anyone make a suggestion as to how to get insurance to cover this? Also would love to here from any 100% PM dependent people. Not sure what to expect after the surgery as far as lifestyle changes.

 

Has any one had a lead extraction if so how did it go and how is recovery time is it the same as getting the pacemaker change ?

 

I've had my pacemaker for about 7 years now, and (thankfully!) I've haven't had any real problems. I have swallowing syncope (I faint/get heart block when I eat) but the pacemaker has fixed most of the symptoms. Anyways, lately I have been feeling sharp, stabbing pains that last for a couple of seconds where my pacemaker is (in my abdomen). The pain doesn't make me cry but it does cause me to catch my breath and kind of gasp. I've told my doctors and they did a test and it didn't show anything but my one doctor thinks the lining of my lead might be wearing away. I've been feeling the pain more often lately (once every couple of days) and I'm not sure what to do. My parents say if it is serious enough, I should get it replaced but I don't t...

 

After about 14 months with a ELA/Sorin Pacemaker/Defib. it was necessary that the device be replaced because the lead from the defib. fried while still in my chest. This malfunction resulted in a trip via ambulance to the emergency room and then surgery. Has anyone else had this problem with the above company? The only information I can find is on the Riata lead by St. Jude's. However, a rep for the new devices says that the above has been recalled in Canada and Europe and that the USA is not far behind. Any information will be greatly appreciated.

 

Hi members,
I am an old hand with a Biotronic DDR PM now 8 full years intact without any problems throughou the entire period.
I was told at my periodical chech up yesterday that the battery has reached ERI and that I should consider replacement within a few weeks.
As this is the first time that I am yo undergo this procedure I am bit concerned as to what I am facing up to. Will this need hospitalization, how long will the exchange take and how is it done
are there any complications and will the new device be the same or require adjustment. I was very happy with the old one and did not feel anything inthe duration I had it implanted.
I am 84 year old male and in relatively good health, but am a bit worried over thi...

 

may be a possibility in the not too distant future it seems - how long is a piece of string? - but tests on pigs and sheep look promising.

Have a look at this:

http://www.economist.com/news/technology-quarterly/21572918-medical-technology-new-invention-lets-pacemakers-scavenge-energy-power

Just think - no more ops to replace batteries - nice.

Incidentally this article claims that there are over 400,000 pacemakers installed annually in the US. Wonder about these stats - for how many years has that been the case?

Hope some of you might find this of interest.

Robert

 

Where can I get details of Uk specialist centres. I think I will need an extraction and want an expert to do it.

 

I've had my pm now for about 2.5 yrs. Have now been using it 100% of the time for the last year. I was told originally it would last between 5 and 10 yrs. At my last appt they said the battery is at 2.99 and they change it at 2.81. My question is that its been at 2.99 since I got it. Wouldn't it typically decrease over a couple years? They've already told me that this particular model isn't good at predicting battery life when it gets close to running out of juice, just wondering if its normal that it hasn't changed at all since I got it?
Don't know if my question makes sense...

 

I have had my pacemaker in for 10 years now and my nurse said its showing that it will last for another 2 years before a replacement has anybody else had 1 in that long before getting it replaced?

 

Hi
I got my CRT pacemaker in august 2008 tomorrow I see my pm technician last time he told me checkups will be every 3 months the decline in battery life is not always linear in the last year.Tomorrow may be I hear different and since the next pm will be first time I get a replacament what can I expect? They told me is about 1 hour for implanting the new pacemaker , we only get local anesthesia.