13 years

Tomorrow will be 13 years that I've had the same (1st) pacemaker. I had it put in when I was 15 years old, and for the past 3 years all of my doctors tell me is that it will need to be replaced somewhere between 1 week and 9 months. apparently that's the best estimate they can get on such an old model. So for the past 2 years I've been putting about 3 grand in my FSA account expecting to have my PM replaced. And for the past 2 years I've gone to Wal Mart towards the end of December and bought a life time supply of Tylenol so that I don't just lose the money.
I've had my doubts since day one about having my PM replaced now that I'm old enough to make my own decisions. And now it's not just because of the way I feel about having a battery keep me alive. Which just seems wrong to me. (that's just the way I feel, I posted for the first time about 6 months ago and caught alot of slack about that.) But now it's beyond any personal feelings I have about the situation. Now I wonder if I really need it. How could a pacemaker last 13 years if I really ever used it?
13 years seems to be a long time, Am i wrong about this?

7 Comments

13 years

by Pookie - 2010-03-18 06:03:08

Hi

This is just MY opinion: everything in life is a choice.

But I can certainly understand that when you were only 15 that the decision of having a pacemaker wasn't up to you at that time.

What was the reason given that you needed a pacemaker in the first place?

Thirteen years ago...WOW...your pacemaker has lasted a long time.

My question (to sort of answer your question) is this: Your pacemaker must have been pacing you at some point during the past 13 yrs ... right? So, wouldn't that lead you to believe that you must need it some of the time? Or does a pacemaker that isn't used at all just end up lasting approximately 13 yrs in your body just sitting there doing nothing??? I seriously don't know the answer to that.

However, the way to find out IF you have been using your pacemaker is to ask your cardiologist or whoever follows you regarding your device. Have you ever asked for the print out that some of us can get...not all countries will just give this info to the patient. OR ask your family doctor, perhaps he/she would know at what percentage your pacemaker has been (or has not been) pacing.

I just look at it this way: even IF you were only using the pacemaker (for example) at 2% of the time...well, then your heart must need it. I also think ahead when we age, that perhaps (I'm just guessing) you might need the pacemaker more in the future.

If it were me I'd get the new pacemaker because I wouldn't want to have to go thru the surgery of having it out and then a couple of years down the road have to turn around and have another surgery to replace it. OR where you just thinking about leaving it in your body and let it run out of power?

OR...you just don't want a foreign body pacing your heart for you....period. ???

What did you mean by: "But now it's beyond any personal feelings I have about the situation." ???

I truly believe you need to sit down with a cardiologist and get as much information as you can so you can make an informative decision. Perhaps (and this is only a suggestion) you should also talk with some kind of therapist or counsellor if you really don't want a battery pacing your heart for you.

Take care and let us know what you decide.

Pookie

Re: 13 years

by LS - 2010-03-18 07:03:44

What has your cardiolifist said when you go for your check ups? I mean as far as it working, and how much, etc?
Of course you can make the decision, but I would surely talk to my Dr.
If it was me, I'd be as happy as can be it lasted 13 years!!
I didn't understand the part about buying the Tylenol at the end of Dec. so you don't lose the money? LOL
Liz

Me too....

by Pookie - 2010-03-18 07:03:48

I forgot to add that I didn't understand what you meant about the Tylenol either but my post was getting kind of lengthy. :)

Pookie

nothing wrong

by Cheldhaye Chill Day - 2010-03-18 08:03:00

hi mrestis...there;s really nothing wrong for a PM to last that long:) infact mine lasted for about 14years...but after that i feel something that i should not be feeling with a PM on me like i go dizzy again n paint for awhile....when i go back to my cardio he actually scolded me for neglecting my PM an too over confident about not having another operation as it should be replaced after 8years as most doctors suggested...well, my heart rate go beyond 40 again...WELL, AM A DEXTROCARDIA WITH COMPLETE HEART BLOCK means my regular rate before i was operated was just 26-0 really my heart stops even am asleep. anyway, it lasted that long but should not be d case because sooner u will really needs to replace it. whether we like it or not we r PM dependent now n we need it to survived...so I SUGGEST u better have another PM operation to keep us breathing:) but i also dont understand y u r buying tylenol....r u having a pain??? its somewhat a pain reliever only not for breathing:) i hope my experience guided u somehow n answers some of ur doubts..god bless u

in addition

by Cheldhaye Chill Day - 2010-03-18 08:03:04

by d way, i am now on my 5th year after my 2nd operation. we really need the PM if we do have it already. its a fact that we are dependent on it.so u better go to ur cardio and have all the close monitoring like ecg n other test as my cardio told me 2days ago when i visited him that for now i wont b coming to him for 2 years but after that i need to go back n we will have a close monitoring....14 years it last but d negative aspect of it is that ANYTIME OF D DAY we dunno when to paint or not bcoz its over due, n f it does doctors will have a hard time replacing the unconscious patient..i go operation with just local anesthesia bcoz they want me wide awake while am operated for them to know how i feel..

Hi, mrestis,

by Gellia2 - 2010-03-18 10:03:32

Fourteen years for a pacemaker is not unheard of. Especially because the model you must have does not have all the new "bells and whistles" of today's.

My first dual chamber PM lasted 16 years and I pace 100% of the time. It was the first standard model in 1982 and lasted til 1998. Now the ones I get last on average of 5 - 6 years. The trade is time vs information for the betterment of our health. Sure wish I could have that old model back again, though. Sixteen years was sweet!

Congratulations on 14years. Please do consider your replacement. I still needed mine after all that time.

My best to you,
Gellia

long time pacemaker

by Fluzy Suzy - 2010-03-23 08:03:46

hi there
I had my first pacemaker inserted in 1987 then replaced in 2005, yes that long. It did not need changing they said but was a little worried about the length of time the leads were there.
I must admit this is a diff pacemaker from 1st one and I have not been as well with this one, so I wished I was left alone to some extent.
I live in England and our medical experts somewhat differ from other countries.
Take care
Fluzy Suzy

You know you're wired when...

Jerry & The Pacemakers is your favorite band.

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