Can battery be low with 10 months left on it.

Hi,
It’s been forever since I’ve posted, but this has been bothering me since last Friday, and it’s getting worse.

Last Friday I was shoveling snow, and felt palpatations, I ignored them, then felt somewhat dizzy, I decided to go inside, and as soon as I got to the couch, I passed out, when I woke up, my son, he’s 13, was standing by me and freaking out, I wasn’t out for long, but it took me awhile to be able to see him.  Since then I’ve been very dizzy and breathless with even mild exertion, and when that happens I will feel my heart pounding.


Sent a transmission to my Pacemaker doc. and they said there were no arrythmias.


I’m worried because it’s getting worse where I don’t need to be doing anything and my heart will start pounding and I’ll start breathing faster because I feel I’m not getting enough air.
I went to the ER and my reg. DR. but all they can find is that my breathing is so bad that I can’t do any breathing tests because I almost pass out. I’m starting to think this is pacer related because this feels like it does when I go for my yearly checkup and they turn down my pacer. Has anyone had this happen, they are telling me that I have 10 months left of battery life, but I feel like asking them to replace it now.

7 Comments

Kari, I sure would go into the EP's

by janetinak - 2010-12-16 01:12:14

office & get a check-up there. They can do & check more in person I believe. Least with mine they can. I had SOB altho no where near passing out & it needed an adjustment to fix. I would insist they see me.

You need the peace of mind if nothing else & get rid of these symtoms.

Let us know how your doing,

Janet

Passing out

by ElectricFrank - 2010-12-16 01:12:29

The pacemaker test you ran should have shown up any problems there. The only two I can think of that would show up suddenly like you experienced are low battery and a defective lead. Either of these would be easily visible on the phone test.

Keep in mind that the feelings you experience during the yearly test are because your pacer is temporarily set to change your HR. There are many other things that can cause those feelings.

The first question I have is what does your doc have in mind. Simply telling you that your breathing is so bad that that they can't run a test is a starting point, but now what. Do they have any idea of what is causing the breathing problem?

Now for franks diagnosis: I suspect you are experiencing a panic attack which is the reason for the increased breathing rate. This only makes matters worse and can result in passing out. The next time it happens try moving to a long gentle breath. This will actually give you more air than fast short breaths. It also keeps from messing up the oxygen/carbon dioxide balance in you blood which creates a feeling of fear. Most docs don't know what to do with panic/anxiety so just shuffle the patient out the door.

best of luck,

frank

Hi Karri

by Pookie - 2010-12-16 03:12:37

A couple of things popped out in your post. But PLEASE keep in mind that I have absolutely NO medical background, just a lot of similar experiences that you are going through.

The first thing I’d ask for is how low is your oxygen saturation...simple test, it’s the little thing that looks like a clothes pin on your finger.

The second thing I’d be asking for is a Blood Pressure Monitor for a few days.

The third thing I’d be asking for is - ask the PM Tech is your Optimization (which is part of the Rate Response) is it ON or OFF...I too had/have Junctional Rhythm, and mine was finally taken care of by turning the Optimization setting to OFF. Now, with that being said, most people having this ON is no problem, but for me it made me feel absolutely terrible for 5 and a half years!! One little setting changed my life completely. If they hadn’t have found that, I was about to go for an ablation.

I’d also be asking them to make sure your leads are where they should be....a simple Xray can solve that issue.

Can you get copies of the reports after you have been interrogated?  If so, I think it’s the impedence that will show if your leads are using more and more voltage (or what I call juice) to spark the beat. If that makes any sense - Frank can explain it way better than I can.

And what popped out at me the most is you said your pacemaker is not overriding your Junctional Rhythm any more - right there your EP should know or try and figure that issue out. Junctional Rhythm gave me the EXACT symptoms you have just described.

Sometimes it’s the littlest things that can make all the difference, but sometimes the doctors tend to dismiss the tiny things...however, tell them you want everything gone through with a fine tooth comb!!!!!!!

And remember: you are the patient, you shouldn’t have to feel this way, and through ALL of my experience I have learned that the squeaky wheel does get the grease - just don’t be whiney.

And...one more thought - are any of your medications new? Can any of your medications lower your blood pressure?????

I wish you the very best. Keep hoping, never give up.

Hugs,
Pookie

Thanks for the comments

by Karri - 2010-12-16 09:12:39

Hi Janet, I'm definately going to the EP doc today, I appreciate your suggestions and will bring them up to him. Frank, I did go to the ER and my primary, and thats one of the things that they ruled out, they put me on an anti-anxiety medicine, and I actually am on one for my back pain, I just didn;t realize that it was for anxiety. I usually get them only when I'm moving around, but it's getting worse, my pacer isn't overriding my Junctional rhythum anymore and last night I woke up a few times with feeling it. That's why I've pretty much decided on it being my pacer, I could be wrong, but for it to start so suddenly and have it most of the time isn;t a panic attack, I have a friend who has those, and it seems to come on when she is doing certain things to trigger them. thanks for all your help:)

Pookie

by Karri - 2010-12-18 12:12:15

Hi Pookie,
Thanks for all of your suggestions. You sure went through a lot of problems for a long time until they finally figured what it was, I'm glad they finally did, 5 1/2 years is a long time to feel miserable.
I saw my EP on Thurs. and he increased my night time heart rate to 70 from 60 and Day time heart rate to 90 from 80, this has helped me feel much more normal, but still get short of breath going up stairs to the point of not being able to see well, and my Junctional rhythm is worse now than before, but I'll take these feelings over how I felt before. He also increased my meds. which I get really bad headaches 45 min. after taking it, not sure why. I have to call him on Monday and will let him know how things are going. I will ask him about the Rate Response. My oxygen level is normal, and my blood pressure is low, I do have an automatic blood pressure cuff that works really well when I sit down, but when I stand up it can't get a reading, so not sure what it is then. Thanks again for all the support. Take Care, Karri

Karri

by SUPERSTARDJ01 - 2010-12-30 04:12:16

Hi,

My pacemaker if low on battery vibrates and sounds a chime.

comments and suggestions

by veronika - 2011-01-09 01:01:03

I am so happy to have joined (usually I am not a "joiner" ) but reading your comments and suggestions gives me hope for recovery and suggestions to look at. i must admit I am afraid to trust the second PM because the first one malfunctioned after 5 months. the drs told me I am alright but I knew there was something wrong. it's 2 1/2 weeks now after the implant and my head is still "fuzzy" and "empty". anybody has these symptoms?
thanks veronika

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