Battery Life

I have a Guidant AICD that was implanted in June of 2002. Since it was put in it has gone off 3 times due to the settings being to low.
Nothing like having a jolt while you are paddling out in big surf...
I was sitting on the couch yesterday morning when I heard my first beeps. 7 years 4 months on the battery.
I hope they knock you out when they replace it and test it. For those of you that have never felt your device discharge, it is NOT a good feeling.

3 Comments

Darn..

by turboz24 - 2009-10-19 12:10:58

I was hoping for a shorter battery life than that. I was paced and shocked a total of 3 times also and it's a Boston Scientific (Guidant).
I was shooting for more like 4-5 years.

That's odd...

by turboz24 - 2009-10-20 03:10:28

I find that odd because I didn't consider the full shock of my ICD to be all that bad. I didn't have any loss of muscle control or anything, just felt like someone came up behind me, scared the crap out of me, and made me jump. Otherwise, I didn't think it was all that bad. I've been smacked by 110 plenty of times, even a pet electric fence and I think the ICD was was milder than those. I knew it was coming also, because I get a little light headed when I used to go into Vtach in the 240-290 bpm range.

I Agree

by Laben - 2009-10-26 06:10:51

I am on my fourth ICD and about sixteen shocks which really are hurtful and scary, lots of anxiety for days afterward. But to comment on your question, I have always been "knocked out" for replacement.

You know you're wired when...

You can feel your fingers and toes again.

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