Most Recent Messages in Batteries & Leads

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Retained Lead Fragments and MRI

Hi all,

I have a question on whether having a retained lead fragment from a prior lead extraction is a contraindication for MRI scans.  I had to get my left ventricular lead replaced two years ago but during the extraction process the lead broke twice.  They were able to get most of the lead out,  but ending up abandoning a ca. 5 mm long ring electrode on the wall of the vein going to my heart.  This electrode is made out of a Platinum/Iridium alloy. ...

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Pacemaker? Leads?

My experience(s): Nov '18 - Treadmill stress test, no big deal. Excercise for me at that time was 1-hr. on the treadmill at 3.5 mph & slight incline followed by 2 mile walking track thingy, 5-6 times per week. EP replaced my 3 lead PM - due to low batt - on Nov 30 '18 with a 3 lead PM defib. The following month, I had 3 periods of excitement - diverticulitis followed by a C-Diff infection followed by a pneumonia.  Mid Jan. '19 I was finally kinda normal except: exercise 4...

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Leads

Before I further quiz my EP.......................what is the typical setup of a three lead PM?  What is the third lead used for (mine has stopped working). PM - with the 3 leads was implanted in 2012.  It has since been replaced with a Medtronic PM/ICD.  Just trying to shore up my knowledge base.

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Battery life

I have a unique situation. Had an internal monitor put in in 2017, my heart stopped, so I was scheduled for a pacemaker at which time the monitor was supposed to be removed. I was half awake during procedure and cardiologist dropped the monitor and could not retrieve at that time it was in my chest after lots of denials and no mention on the surgery report, the monitor started moving (no pain and felt no movement) eventually monitor made its way to my breast, where it made a 180 degree turn l...

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What exactly is a tug test?

I'm in my 4th PM and while I've heard this term mentioned here, I'm not aware of ever having a tug test. What is it?

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Dinosaur leads need removed.

Original PM implant was 1989. Been limping along with bad lead for several years   I have lost a significant amount of weight and PM flops around in my chest.  I often feel like my pericardial region is irritated and inflamed.  Also feel like I have lots of past scar tissue.  Anyone want to chime in and give this newbie your experiences?

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Pacemaker Leads

I just have a quick question for those with a pacemaker.  I received my first pacemaker in 2002 after my heart transplant. I received my second in 2011. My last interrogation showed that I only have 15% battery left, about 9 months if I'm lucky.  (I'm paced 95% in my atria).  I have my original leads.  Has anyone ever had their leads changed?  I will have had these leads for 18 years in July.  I'm going to ask when I see them in March about it, b...

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Havent seen a cardiologist in 15 years

I had a syncopy issue which caused me to pass out on rare occasions when my vegas nerve was overstimulated.  Since I had great insurance I said yes to having a PM installed.  That was 2004 and almost as soon as I went back to work I got laid off.  I went back to the cardiologist so many times to have them turn it down - it would activate and drive me bonkers just getting up to get a drink.  Finally they told me it was at its lowest setting.

I moved across the country...

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Pacemaker replacement.

I am due to have my pacemaker      replaced in a few month's. Is there any advantage in having same ep do procedure. The original ep is 2 hours away, and new one is 15 minutes.

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Boston Scientific for 3 1/2 years

Had yearly interrogation with Boston rep and he told me I have only 2  years battery left.  He said very unusual.  I'm paced 1% in each chamber.   Got a call from cardiologist saying I had 60 days left and need to come in for replacement.   I told them what rep told me and they are consulting with him and getting back to me today.   Wondering if anyone with Boston has had this happen?

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new generator

Hello everyone,

I had a generator change this morning (my third pacemaker!) and this afternoon suddenly felt like the Energizer Bunny...I hadn't realized how much energy I had lost as the battery ran down. 

I am thrilled to be feeling better but wonder if this is something others have experienced? 

Thanks for any input

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25 year old leads breaking down

Hey all,  Ive had pacemakers forever and a day... that adds up to 45 years.  My atrial lead is playing up, has noise on it at my last pm check and I was asked to do a whole lot of movements.  Putting my hands in prayer position and pushing hard made my atrial tracking go haywire but I didnt really feel it  

We have scheduled a meeting with the surgeon and a replacement for the following day so its getting fixed. 

Today I thought I was going to die - I...

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Battery replacement

I am 100% pacemaker dependant and my battery is to be replaced in 26 days now, but the estimated remaining longevity of my battery is only 1 month as per the last check up. Therefore, I am little bit worry as nobody knows exactly when my battery will be down. I would like to have your advice on this matter because I would like to continue to exercise before my next operation.

Thank you in advance

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Replacement

what should I look out for knowing when I need to get my pm replaced??

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Why do I feel sick again if I was fine 2 weeks a go?

Ok my friends , the pass 2-3 weeks I was feeling so good I even forgot I had a pacemaker , till yesterday I was feeling light headed , palpitations but not as bad , weak , felt like I was also dizzy and almost pass out had to lay down  ... so I checked my heart rate was normal rage 80s what is extrange looking at my app looks like my fast heart rate most 144 for what the app saying my heart was working hard big time ? 
why will this happening ?

i have a pacemaker since Ju...

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Fitbit Inspire HR

After haveing a Alta HR for over two years, I have been bought an Inspire HR, I am concerned about the fact that the charger conects magnetically. Has anyone had any problems with the Inspire and a pacemaker.

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Post surgery pain

I am eight days post-Pacemaker implantation and was doing fine. This morning I put my bra on, which involves using both hands behind my back. Felt like I pulled a muscle and has been hurting today. Now I am wondering if I could have pulled a lead out or moved it. How do you know if a lead has moved or is displaced? No redness or swelling, just the soreness above and to the left of the implant incision.

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New

New to this life. Had pacemaker installed 6 days ago. Scared. I reached for a bottle of water and forgot not to reach. Should I be concerned?

Thank you for this forum as I have a lot of anxiety. 

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Leads draped in front of pacemaker

Well I had posted before my procedure in October 2019. Had it done but taking more time to recover than first implant. This time my cardiologist (NOT the doctor who had implanted my pacemaker previous to this one) found that the pacemaker implanted before had the leads draped over the front not in the back. Surgery took longer than expected as he had to remove tissue between the leads to remove the pacemaker. Anyone hear of this?

This pacemaker lays much better than the other. Had surge...

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Pacemaker

Had implant November 2017, instant success felt really good, Went for an eight week after implant  exhamination, was told I had used up approximatly seven and half years of expected life of the battery. Devastating news, consiquently the device was turned down to conserve the battery life, On later follow ups the device was turned even more, As a result  for the past approx two years I have been having Heart Pauses when at rest this happens constantly when the&nb...

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You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker receives radio frequencies.

Member Quotes

This is my second Christmas with my pacemaker and I am so happy to be with my family.