Replacement

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

6 Comments

I have had a battery replacement

by janetinak - 2012-01-16 02:01:14

without a lead needing to be replaced or added & yes, it is fairly simple & fast. Can be done with very light anesthesia & is usually very fast. I have onoly had to stay over night when a lead was pralced or replaced.

I never want to feel like I did w/o PM so I can't answer your other question. Guess lot deends on why PM in 1st place & how much you are paced.

Janet

easy

by Tracey_E - 2012-01-16 07:01:05

I've had 4 now. As Janet said, as long as you don't need a lead it's super simple and you don't stay overnight. It can be done with a local if you ask but they usually give more.

If you chose not to replace it, you would go back to feeling like you did before you got it.

Pacemaker Gone

by donb - 2012-01-16 10:01:50

I suppose every PM patient would experience change depending how long you waited till replacement. I had to have my generator only removed as it started to erode. In the 1st 30 days everything was normal, HR rock solid. In the next 30 days my resting rate droped off to low 30's and lots of skips. Next I went into A-Fib. All of these symtoms were exactly the same as 17 years prior my 1st PM. This is exactly as has been posted before by other members.
Probably the time element again would differ depending on what each patient's needs were at the time of initial implant. What really surprised me was that my low HR stayed locked in at 60 just as my PM setting for over a month. Seemed like my natural PM had a memory of the 60 BPM from the previous 3 PMs' over the 17 years of use.
Needless to say I'm now on my 4th PM in my 20th year and with meds doing real well considering my age of 80.
Donb

Agree

by ddk - 2012-01-16 11:01:16

I agree with all previous comments. Once I had to wait for my MD to have an opening to replace my PM and I can honestly say that trying to breathe and do my normal routine was tough till I got my new one. If your heart beats slow, then, oxygen gets to your brain and muscles slower. As a result you are zapped of energy. And talk about crabby! Boy was I crabby because I was tired all the time. You don't want to feel that way - it just isn't pleasant for you or your family.
Diann

EASY!!

by idoni - 2012-01-16 11:01:57

I had my battery replaced last year... was in, and out and home... and I was back to running after about a week.

Why do you not want to replace the battery? I have the type of pacemaker that if my heart rate goes below 50 bpm then it comes on, and I can feel it... so I know I need it. When they do diagnosis of your pacemaker can they tell you how often you are pacing? That may help you make your decision... I know I need mine, so I will always maintain it...

Common Place

by maryanne - 2012-01-16 12:01:55

I won't say it's easy as everyone is different. What I can tell you is that the procedure is common place now. The surgeons use local anesthetic, and give you a mild sedative just to help keep you calm. In the facility I work we keep the individual for 2 hours post generator change and have a light weight held on the site to prevent any swelling or bruising. An xray is generally performed, the pacemaker tech will come and do the interrogation of the PM give you your instructions and send you on your merry way.

Having had 7 of these and open heart I think the replacement far outweigh the alternatives.

Good luck!

Mary Anne

You know you're wired when...

You run like the bionic woman.

Member Quotes

It is just over 10 years since a dual lead device was implanted for complete heart block. It has worked perfectly and I have traveled well near two million miles internationally since then.