when the battery dies??
- by PC
- 2009-06-29 11:06:21
- General Posting
- 959 views
- 8 comments
Just a silly question but has anyone got to keep their old pacemaker when the battery dies and they get a new one??
8 Comments
Donate
by chip - 2009-06-30 05:06:13
Our hospital here has a program with Medtronics and they refurbish and send them to poor countries. Reuse of the device in the US in not possible.
Future Keyring?
by Blueaustralia - 2009-06-30 06:06:47
I
I asked my EP (PM Tech) if I could keep my old pacemaker when they replaced it. He found it puzzling as they had never had that request before. But, siaid yes, I could have it.
Old Pacemakers
by Nim Rod - 2009-06-30 09:06:29
Your (or your insurance) paid for the pacemaker, so it should be returned to you if you request it. Just like when getting new dentures, the old ones are yours to take with you if you want them. I plan to get my pacemaker when it is replaced.
My Dr. told me that if he keeps it he returns it to the maker it is refurbished and maybe used in research, or sold to some 3rd world country or sold to a veterinarian for implanting in animals, usually dogs.
Yes!!
by morgysmom - 2009-06-30 12:06:19
My daughter got to keep one of the four pacemakers she has had implanted. I didn't know they could give them to you, but, her pacemaker nurse told us about it.
They told me it would take awhile to get it back, because, of course, they have to clean it, engrave it, and frame it, etc. They told me approximately how many weeks it would take, & when to expect it in the mail. When it didn't come, I finally called them, & they were just about to discard it!! So, since it had been so long, they just engraved it, but, didn't frame it. My daughter was still happy to get it though, so she could take it to school, & show her friends.
So, if you do request yours, be sure to call & check on it occasionally, so there are no mix-ups!!
Good luck!
morgysmom
Old pacemakers
by bastuart - 2009-06-30 12:06:47
I do not think that is a silly questions, I have all four my old pacemakers. Just asked, they clean them up and handed them to my husband!
Yes
by Rachael - 2009-07-01 06:07:42
When they replaced my first PM the thought of taking it home with me didnt even cross my mind, but when i went for my check up a week or 2 after my dr gave it to me. He had put a magnet on the back and also an LED light on it so i could see when it stopped working. They changed it because it was part of a faulty batch just to be safe but it continued to work for years!!
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recycle!!!!
by Hot Heart - 2009-06-30 01:06:25
Didnt i read somewhere that they could be recycled for people in 3rd world countries or even for animals who are in need? Think I would sooner do that if its possible than have it as a key ring. We are all really lucky to have got ours, even if we had to pay for them, and there are people and animals out there who are not so lucky.
HH