Battery Low
- by 12pretzels
- 2022-11-23 01:50:09
- Batteries & Leads
- 552 views
- 3 comments
I have three leads on my PM and after only 4 years, I was told my battery is low and need a new PM. I have Medtronic and I am just sadden that my battery didn't last very long. Now they keep bringing me in to check when they need to do the surgery and the readings keep saying, it's not ready. I am truly perplexed about the whole situation. I guess I just have to keep getting it checked. If anyone else is having the same problem, please let me know how you handled the situation. Thank you so much for any advice you can give.
3 Comments
low battery
by new to pace.... - 2022-11-23 06:12:41
In your bio you mention 2012 the year of implantation if that is true you are problaly in need of a new battery. Which i understand from reading on this forum . That it is a simple surgery
new to pace
In the same boat.
by PacedNRunning - 2022-11-24 05:02:02
I have 11 mos left. I have home monitoring. It sends a transmission once a month. They will tee instant notifications if it drops to 3 mos left to end of life. I was told they would replace it in Jan. I should have 6 mos left. So at 6 mos, you should have a replacement also
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Monitoring your battery
by Gemita - 2022-11-23 05:42:44
12Pretzels, first of all, please try not to worry. Your doctors will not allow your battery to fail before they change it. They will always change it within the last 6 months and usually before the last 3 months of battery life.
As Angry Sparrow says, many factors will affect battery life. Things like settings, pacemaker usage and how well our leads are working may all affect battery life. Until we reach the last 3-6 months when certain pacemaker functions may start to decline, we won’t know when our devices will need changing, which is why more frequent checks will need to be made to keep you safe. One indicator that our battery may not be working as well as previously might be the start of symptoms. May I ask how you feel? If you feel okay, then that is a good sign that your battery is still functioning well. If on the other hand you were to tell me that you have started getting new symptoms, perhaps symptoms similar to those you experienced prior to your pacemaker, then this might indicate that your pacemaker is not performing to its full capacity and it would be time to let your doctors know of your concerns.
Do you have home monitoring? If so, they will be watching you, or you can send transmissions to your clinic if you start having unusual symptoms or more symptoms than usual. In the meantime, estimated battery life remaining is just that “estimated” and this can, frustratingly, go up and down as I have discovered with my Medtronic dual lead pacemaker.
Since you have a (CRT) your device has to work harder to pace three leads rather than say a single or dual lead pacemaker, and I would not expect a CRT battery to last quite as long. Four years is disappointing. I would respectfully ask your doctors if your leads are functioning okay, or if 4 years of battery life for your device is within the normal range?
Reference your cruise post. How long are you going for? If you have no symptoms, then go and enjoy as Angry Sparrow suggests, but do tell your doctors how long you are going to be away if it is for a long period, particularly since they are watching your battery. I am not a good sailor, so always struggle on a cruise. If you feel well sailing, then you will be just fine with your pacemaker. Have a wonderful time.