Pacemaker Died.

Hi everyone, I am a new poster - so be gentle! :O

I had my first pacer implanted in March 2001 at the age of 35 for Neurocardiogenic Syncope (with asystole), AV node disease and Heart Block. My checkup in December 07 indicated I had about 18 months of battery life left. I had major surgery (not heart related) in April with some complications, and after 12 weeks felt that I was taking a long time to recover. At my pacer check last week we found that my pacer had completely died. No wonder I'd been feeling lousy - and fortunately I hadn't had a major episode!! So yesterday I had a generator change (LOL at that term) and today am very sore and bruised etc., but hoping to feel better soon.

However, my issue is with the fact that the pacer died without warning. The hospital weren't going to follow up on this at all, so I have kept the old unit as I feel that there should be some investigation. What if this had happened to someone who was 100% dependent??

What do you guys think? Would you pursue this? I am not interested in any type of claim against the manufacturers, but merely want information in case I was exposed to something unknowingly that caused an issue; and also surely for their information if it is a fault...

Cheers,

Kerry.
QLD. Australia.

7 Comments

Dead pacemaker

by Terry - 2008-06-25 02:06:48

Manufacturers like to get them back, and will report fiindings to the Dr.

Scary

by janetinak - 2008-06-25 03:06:58

Gosh that is scary esp. since I am a 100%-er. I get checked either by phone or in the office every 3 months (alternate each). Sounds like you went longer than that w/o a check-up. Maybe that was the problem???

Yes, I would pursue it at least to find out what happened. Then PLEASE tell us.

Thanks,

Janet

Welcome

by Blueaustralia - 2008-06-25 04:06:25

Welcome to the site. Whereabouts are you in Qld? We have quite a few Aussie members and there are at least three I know of inQld.

Our checks here are different to those in USA or Canada. At least I don't have telephone checks in Tasmania. It is a good idea to have a check up at least every six months I have been told, but this time they left me a year. I will certainly be requesting a check up every six months as soon as I have reached the six year mark or before then. Maybe you used up your battery at a greater rate. What a shame no one thought to check your pm. They could easily have called in the technician. Hope you ae feeling better now. All the best. Billie

Waves to Billie...

by KerryM65 - 2008-06-25 07:06:18

You are in Tassie? We've been here for over 13 years now, but have just listed our place on the market. I have been working in a stressful job for the last 2.5 years and can't keep up this pace as it impacts on both health and family so trying to reduce our debt. We are on the range between Cooroy and Eumundi ("the Hinterland") as they say but will likely head west when we sell.

Tis indeed a small world!

Sunshine Coast

by Blueaustralia - 2008-06-25 07:06:27

Hi Kerry

I used to live at Sunrise Beach. What a small world it is it seemed funny to see someone mention Noosa. We left just as the new hospital there opened.
Please keep in touch. Sincerely Billie

Thanks

by KerryM65 - 2008-06-25 07:06:33

for the comments. Yes Janet it is scary! Bad enough for me (as I said to mother, my condition hadn't killed me before the pacer - but if there was a first time it would also be the last if the pacer isn't working! Asystole is no fun!!) I was having 12 monthly checkups until that last one in December Janet, when they put me back to 6 monthly. So I either used up an extra 12 months of battery life in 6 months or there was a glitch. Not good either way.

Hi Billie - I am on the Sunshine Coast. :) I think they can do telephone checks from some of the local hospitals, but I was travelling to Brisbane until the last one in December as they now send a tech to Noosa fairly regularly. It was a technician on both occasions - and he couldn't explain why it had died completely, not even enough power to get a single piece of information and all readings in December were fine apparently.

I would have thought that to be the case Terry - but will now have to find out how to get it to them, and if I have to send it back to the States.

Cheers,

Kerry.

Emailed manufacturer...

by KerryM65 - 2008-06-26 03:06:15

I have sent off an email this afternoon to the manufacturer so will wait to hear their response. Will let you know Janet!

Kerry.

You know you're wired when...

Your device makes you win at the slot machines.

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