Thinking of having my pacer removed

Not sure where this posting should go....but here's my short story. In 2000 when I was 55, I passed out on an airplane; my seat mate was a Mayo Clinic doctor. When I came to, he said he was concerned because he could not find a pulse for 5 seconds or so - he suggested I get tested. My GP recommended I get the full range of tests, including the tilt table. They couldn't find anything amiss until the tilt table. I lasted about 12 minutes, passed out and then flat-lined (again) for about 5 seconds and then I came to on my own. My GP had me seen by a cardio Doc and the next thing I know is I have pacemaker installed. That was Y2000; I had a bad lead and the unit was replaced in 2005. Since the moment I had a pacemaker installed (almost 10 years ago), it has never once been called upon to pace/zap me, not once! One Cardiologist I met socially hinted that my original 2000 implantation was perhaps not medically justified, the result of a 'when in doubt, put it in' mentality...... and that I could be part of an emerging group of pacer people who really did not and do not need a pacer unit. I learned yesterday that my current unit's battery needs to be replaced in 18 months and I'm raising the question of should I just live my life without a pacemaker. Anybody got any thoughts/insights/experience??

6 Comments

????

by Pookie - 2009-10-29 06:10:59

Hi Ross.

I have a really dumb question, so here it goes: if your device hardly is used or goes off, then why would it need to be replaced? Wouldn't the battery still last for years and years since it is hardly ever used?

I don't understand.

Pookie

my opinion

by sam78 - 2009-10-29 09:10:11

Pookie... the pacemaker/ICD whatever it is, still has to sense and record, etc so it still uses battery even if it does actually do any work.

Ross... here is my question for you.. If you didnt have your pacemaker replaced.. and you died the next day, would you still be happy with that decision? Some people have devices for a lifetime and it never gets used or rarely gets used. But no one has the glass ball to see ite future and if you are going to have a problem or not. It only takes once! So if you are willing to chance it.. taking it out.. If you would rather be safe than sorry.. then replace it. Just something to think about.

Pacemaker Removed

by donb - 2009-10-29 09:10:39

I had the same thoughts for years, at least 15 with 3 PM replacements. I have 1st degree electrical block with intermittant 2nd degree. I had to have mine removed last Dec as it was eroding. I got along well for 2 months and ended up with slow HR during sleep and had lots of scips. Got a second opinion from a very good Cardiologist at University of Michigan and said I don't need PM any longer.

A fews months later I developed a little Afib and was put on medication for that. Cardiologist tells me I will need another PM sometime as I'm 77 years old. I said "How about Now?" It was done the very next morning, new right chest installation, new PM, new leads.

I'm doing real good along with my Betapace medication. I just returned from my early morning Caradiac Rehab Gym with a great workout. I know that from all the years of PM that without, I probably would not be posting or at best my health would not be as what I'm enjoying now. Sooo, I learned that I don't have to worry as my little Titanium friend takes care of me. Also might mention that I had a number of Cardiologists tell me that It is VERY rare to have electrical problems restore themselves in the heart. Best of all, my wife is a nurse working with Cardiologists on the Cardiac floor for the last 20 years and I take her serious when she says I won't be living with you without a PM. DonB

Thank you Don B.

by Ross Sherwood - 2009-10-29 10:10:11



Points well taken

up to you

by Tracey_E - 2009-10-29 10:10:41

I'd get at least one more opinion before making any decisions. IF you were to decide to not replace it, I'd probably leave it alone rather than try to remove it.

I'm just a reasonably informed layman/patient, not a doctor, but if your heart stopped during the tilt test, it was not inappropriate to give you a pm so I wouldn't question the initial diagnosis/decision. Have you had another tilt test?

Do you have a pacemaker or an icd? Because only an icd will zap, a pm will only pace. Are you sure it's not pacing at all, or does the report say <1%? It can be working less than 1% of the time but still kick in from time to time. Five seconds a month or a year isn't a lot to show up statistically, but it's enough to save your life.

Only you can decide what's right for you. Get all the information you can, you've got well over a year to ponder.

thanks you all for your input

by Ross Sherwood - 2009-10-30 10:10:02


I think I'll change my mind set and think of my pacemaker as sort of a safety net - I don't intend to fall but if I do, the net would save me.

What is it that our Grandmothers said, "Better to be safe than sorry." I'll get a new one and be thankful for it.

You know you're wired when...

Like the Energizer Bunny, you keep going.

Member Quotes

Hi, I am 47 and have had a pacemaker for 7 months and I’m doing great with it.