Signs please

I would like to ask if anyone could enlighten me of the symptoms of a pacemaker battery running low. Or an even better question is... Just what are the signs that a PM battery is running low, if any?

I have phone checks every month now, but the tech. won't/can't tell me much. The only thing I know is that I am tired and that I am in the last year of battery life. It is being depleated much faster than anticipated. I have only had it since 2005! My resting rate is set at 60. I have a dual pacemaker. Bradycardia and tachycardia with heart block 2. and a leaky valve. Ughhhhh.

I welcome your comments.
Thank you,
Pacergirl

10 Comments

Tired is a big one!

by clichtenberg - 2008-06-20 10:06:22

Isn't being tired a sign? You might want to call your doctor and ask.

I thought I had seen Smitty comment...maybe that was another post? But what he said was my understanding on how a battery can get used up so fast. My son is dealing with #3 resistance on the lead. My son's EP thinks there is scaring on the lead attatched to the heart. So he might need to have his changed out soon along with his wire. Which is an open chest surgery :(.

I hope you call your doctor soon. I don't think you should be so tired.

Good luck!

I would like to know also!

by boatman50 - 2008-06-20 10:06:57

Sorry I can't help on this one, but I would like to know also. Mine was put in in 2006 and my resting rate is 70bpm. The only thing that may help mine last longer is that it does not have many features so I don't think it gobbles up the battery so fast. Keep your chin up and it will all work out. Best of luck to you, Boatman

Battery low

by janetinak - 2008-06-21 01:06:36

A couple of things in response- there was a recent post this past wk I think-that went over what could be learned from a phone check if I remember right telling battery life remaining was not something that could be determined on the phone. I get checked every 3 months and alternate phone & in office check. In the office they can tell me & show me on the screen where I am on the battery life. So you should, as advised above, call your doc to get an office check. I have had one PM replacement & a lead (after 3 yrs) & I became SOB with the slightest activity. I was told that is how the PM conserves the remaining battery until it can be changed out. I am sure someoen on this site will give you much better answers but that is what I know. By the way the 2nd PM is in since 2003 & 6 mo's ago I was told it had about 2 yrs left & I am 100% paced. Good luck.

Janet

trust you Peter N!

by pacergirl - 2008-06-21 02:06:27

Now that's funny. You make me laugh out loud! :-}

Yes, it's true my battery is running low. I wonder how low it can go before I get a new one. Maybe the new one will be solar powered and I will have to move to Arizona or New Mexico for the sunshine!

Just a thought, take care everyone and Peter N. you too!

Pacergirl

My change is scheduled

by hugo70 - 2008-06-21 04:06:01

My pacemaker is over 7 years now and is running low. As the upper number of months left got lower, we started checking each time at the number of months the lower number showed as time left. When it was 3-12, we checked every 3 months. 1-8, every month. The last time by phone, it was 1-5, and everything rang as OK. Last Sunday, the lower beat frequency went down from 70 to 65, And I got tired. It turns out that when the pacemaker switches to a battery conservation mode, it always runs at the lower rate. Up until last week, the rate adjustment feature continued. Now it runs at 65 no matter what. It is apparently guarenteed to do this for at least 3 more months. My replacement is set for mid-July. I am tired constantly, as you would expect, because my body is not getting the old amount of oxygen. I guess this means that one can not do as much, because all your parts need all the oxygen it can get.
My advice to those getting down to every month is to get a blood pressure machine that automatically also measures your heart rate, or do it yourself. It is easy to spot when your rate goes below the minimum rate.
I assume I am not alone at this spot. My question is will the dizziness get better when I get up. or will it get worse as the 15th gets closer?
Hope this helps others understand what is going on.
Hugo

LOW BATTERY

by peter - 2008-06-21 04:06:48

I think I am right in saying the battery voltage is in most pacemakers 2.8 Volts when new(some I have heard are 2.6 volts). The pacemaker needs changing when the battery voltage drops to 2.2 Volts so I have been told, I think some pacemakers switch off their rate response function when the battery is low. Also when some pacemakers need changing they go into elective replacement mode.Some patients get their old symptoms back if the battery has been left to drop below the recommended voltage. I suggest yo contact the manufacturers of your pacemaker as they are often very willing to tell you everything your EP wont or does not want to tell you. The condition of your battery is always checked if you go into see the technicians. I always ask them to display the gas guage which my pacemaker has so that I can see how the battery is doing. I am surprised your technician cant tell you much, I should ask him why and if the answer is unsatisfactory I would insist on going in to the clinic to have it checked as I can fully understand your justifyable concern. I would also be pressing to find out why its running down so fast and I would be asking them what they will be doing to insure you get a reasonable battery life next time. Hope it all works out well for you. Cheers Peter

Pacemaker Check

by lahbigbro6 - 2008-06-21 07:06:52

My pacemaker check is done every 6 months at the hospital and phone checks every month. When I go to the hospital, the staff nurses that do the check. They told me last visit that I have approx. 2 years left. So, if you go for an in hospital visit, yearly or whatever ask ......

Thank you all

by pacergirl - 2008-06-21 10:06:58

Hi, I appreciate all your comments and you suggestions, thank you.
The way I discovered that the battery was, quote "you are in the last year of battery life" It was after she had run the phone check on me. How she knew I haven't any idea. I was too stunned to ask questions. I see the cardiologist in a few weeks and I will have some good questions to ask because of you guys. Thank you.
The technician is a woman and very technical and knows her stuff. I feel very confident in her abilities but her desire to share information with me isn't so good. I will ask some direct questions and see what happens. If she can't/won't answer them my Dr. will have to. I sometimes allow them to get away before all my questions are asked. I get the you have a pacemaker, we saved your life now be happy and go away kind of puzzled look. Well, I am a better educated patient and I have you all behind me....
Now.... just what is going on with the battery life of my pacer and why is it running out so fast? That is the question I will be asking. I can't loose with you guys helping. There will be other questions to ask as well. In fact I am starting a list of what I am going to ask.
Thank you all for your support!
Pacergirl :-)

I get a print out

by Suze - 2008-06-21 12:06:26

Each time I go in for an interogation I ask for a print out of it. It always tells me how much time is left. Last time it said 5.5 years left. They said it's approximate - but within 6 months error. So the last year they monitor more carefully, they said.

Hope this helps. I would be concerned if I felt really tired that last year I have left....., as you do. I'd recheck in with the clinic!

your own fault!!

by Peter.Nash - 2008-06-21 12:06:48

Hi Pacergirl,
I did offer to change your battery when you were in my workshop here in the UK last year ...perhaps next time you will trust me Peter N x

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