when do I know it's time for a new one?

HI All - Just found you. My name is Ellen. I'm 50. I was born with a hole in my heart - ASD fixed at age 9. Symptoms started around age 30 - heart rate was 29. It went lower and lower until I was fainting regularly. Turned out the SA? node was probably hit during the heart surgery at age 9. I had a pacemaker inserted which paces almost all of the time. I am set at 60 bpm.

Lately I have been feeling rather ill. I feel my heart beating and generally feel awful. I had it checked by the doctor (with the machines) a couple of months ago. They said I had between 1 and 11 months left, but insurance won't pay until it really goes.

Sometimes my whole chest feels tight - and I am so tired. Are these normal symptoms? I recently had an echo - my heart is fine and I exercise almost daily (I feel fine during exercise...)

Thanks for any insight. I will also do a search for things already said on this forum.
Ellen

7 Comments

Watch out for the insurance company

by johnb10000 - 2009-08-05 01:08:11

Call the insurance company directly a few times to see if somebody will approve the replacement. Also try to get your doctors office to call the insurance company a few times since the doctor may have better luck.

I don't know if you have a group policy from your employer or paying for an individual insurance policy.

The company will look for for any reason not to pay for it especially if you have an individual policy.

I am paying for an individual policy. When my doctor tried to get approval for an ablation operation I suddenly had problems with the insurance company getting the premium payments. I sent three payments over the phone and through the mail and they finally admitted to getting one payment. Send your payment by certified mail return receipt then call them and make sure they received it.



thanks

by ellen495 - 2009-08-05 05:08:55

I have personal choice - great insurance - so that's not it. Thank you for your responses. I saw my regular doctor today who noted how I felt, and will see the pacemaker doctor next week. Hopefully between the 2 of them we can move on this!
Ellen

When to know if it is time for a new one.

by buttercupad65 - 2009-08-05 06:08:32

I just recently (2 weeks ago) just had a new pacemaker inserted due to End of Life of pacemaker. The symtoms were somewhat like I had before I had the pacemaker put in the first time. Near passing out, no energy, breathless, and felt run down. So could be at that stage. Yes, I had to wait until End of Life before they would allow me to have it changed. I am about 95% paced in the top (atrial) part of the heart. Little to no SA node function.

buttercupad65

thanks!

by ellen495 - 2009-08-05 09:08:37

It's "good" to hear that someone else (buttercup) had to wait - not that I'm happy that happened to you - but it sounds as though the doctor wasn't being crazy.

Doc, what's ICD?

And is it okay for me to continue exercising (I work out hard) even though I'm out of breath?
Ellen

Insurance

by petrolhead - 2009-08-05 11:08:25

Hi Ellen,

I'm very surprised that your insurance won't pay out until your PM really goes. It sounds like you're pretty much 100% dependent, so if the battery dies that could be extremely dangerous! I live in the UK where we have the NHS, so I confess I know nothing about medical insurance, but still - that sounds very dangerous indeed! Maybe check with your doctor? They'll also tell you the symptoms to look out for.

Emma xxx

just got a call

by ellen495 - 2009-08-06 01:08:02

The doctor got my pacemaker test and said they need to see me immediately. Guess I was right.
THANKS

I'm back

by ellen495 - 2009-08-06 07:08:08

It died 7/30 - just when I felt bad. Nurse practioner and tech said I was okay for a week (I'm going on vacation). Doctor said that my tilt test from 2001 showed total heart block during my faint and it should be done immediately. I am opting to wait a week because of my family's vacation - I can't let my kids down. I realize I could drop to 29 bpm and faint, so I plan on taking it very easy. Think that sounds okay?

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