Most Recent Messages in Batteries & Leads

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curious.

Hi all!! Quick question: when the battery runs out on your PM and it needs to be replaced, do they replace the leeds as well, or just the battery itself? I've never had the battery run out before, just leed replacements. Any with an experience they would like to share? I think my battery will be running out soon, and I would just like a heads up :-) thanks!!

Jodie

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Pacemaker Unipolar

Hi

My mum is recently operated to fit a unipolar pacemaker. She has been a pacemaker patient for the last 20years. Recently she experienced a continuous thumping in her chest for 4 secs and it never happened after. When examined the doctor says there is a small hair line crack in the wire...but he also says that this is never affect the functioning of the machine. The only disadvantage he states is the lifetime of the machine might be reduced. Can you please advice me on this case? I...

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Lead firing more than normal

I had a pacemaker put in when I was 9 for bradiacardia. I had a new PM put in three years ago soley because it had moved under my arm and was causing discomfort. I have only been using it 2% of the time. They left the original lead in there. I am now experiencing my PM firing more than normal. They are saying that it is possible the Lead will need to be replaced. I am just so frustrated right now due to the fact that it has only been 3 years since my last surgery. Could there be any other reason...

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Leads

Thanks for all the comments, they really help.
Today is one week sense the surgery, I know I'm probably more paranoid than i should be but, i feel little tingles and still some soreness, trying to be overly cautious with my left arm as it worries the hell out of me pulling the leads out. i woke up this morning with my arm out of the sling and above my head. Could i have pulled leads out and if so would i be able to feel it. I dont go back to the doc for 10 or so days. Sorry for being so dan...

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What % of the time do you use your pm?

Hi, I just got my pacemaker a few weeks ago & already had a regularly scheduled appt with a tech. I was just curious how often people use their pacemaker. I was told that mine is being used 54% of the time and that sounded high.. The numbers that I was told as full battery, how much I used and when recommended to replace the battery made me worry a little since its only been 6 weeks. I know everyone is different but I was interested to know how often other people use there pacemakers & how often...

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WHOA AGAIN

As posted in my previous messages, I am going to purchase an alert bracelet in case I am in another accident, at least I’ll feel better about it.

Thanks for all your messages.

Janet

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Need answers

I'm so glad this website is available. I need some information and advice from people who live with a PM.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer Jan 11, 2012 followed by partial mastectomy then 7 wks of radiation. May 23 I went in for a radiation treatment and the nurse became concerned because I was weak, tired, dizzy and breathless. After a CT to rule out blood clots on the lungs, my BP was taken. I was on 2 BP meds and it came in at 185/110 with 37 BPM. Off to ER, numerous tests,...

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symptoms of PM Battery failure

I had my pacemaker installed in March 2003. I am 100% paced with a single lead medtronics PM. I was expecting my battery to fail last fall but my telephonic checkups did not indicate battery failure. I just had my most recent telephonic checkup on Jun 25, 2012 and everything was fine as I didn't hear from the pacemaker clinic. On June 28th I started having trouble with minor physical activities like walking, climbing a flight of stairs, etc. I can't get my breath and I nearly blackout. Aft...

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WHOA !

Well now, I have had my second pacer since January, 2010.  I was in an accident March, 2012.  The seatbelt smashed one of my leads.  I just found out after my arm started jerking like crazy and I couldn’t catch my breath for the last several weeks. It is going to be complicated and I will be hospitalized for two days.

I want to make everyone aware that this can certainly happen and the hospital I was taken to DID NOT have a pacemaker...

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Can you mix and match

I am about to have a pacer change and was pondering in that will any make of pacer fit my existing leads or will they keep to the same pacer as the leads.
Peter

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Holland news: defective pacemakers worldwide

In Denmark there has just been a news update that cardiologists in Holland have discovered a large amount of defective pacemakers around the world. Does anyone know about this? Which brand name and type?

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Extra Heart Beat

Hi. New memer here. I'm from the US, but live in Yucatan, Mexico and had a PM placed about three weeks ago. All was good until a couple of days ago when I awoke with an extra heartbeat in my right side. The spasms were very strong. Went to cardio who found that the bottom lead had "migrated" to the upper chamber. So, had surgery yesterday to put it back. Extra pulse is gone and I feel fine.

So, I'm curious. How common is this particular problem and is it probable that I someh...

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visit from the shock fairy

In May, I had a visit from the shock fairy and she gave me nine hits. Now in June, I had a follow up with the ICD clinic and they told me that one of my leads was fryed and would need to be replaced. After five days in the ICU, I received my new lead. Has this happened to any one else?

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Battery replacement

Hi friends, i had my pacemaker implanted in 2004, is medtronic in DDDR mode. I had been well with it , my cardiologist told me i would soon need a battery replacement. Any suggestion which i should go for...I am soon 54 years old.

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PM check

Well the long awaited day has arrived and I know less now than I id then. A ventrical lead fracture was noted in my Dec. 2011 interrogation.
Noted fracture was in bipolar configuration. Todays reading on ventrical lead were: 13.32 uj,measured current of 3.20 mA, measured impedance of 1,297 (1341 ohms in Dec. "11)
NOT PM dependant!
Atrium at 67% and ventrical at 1%.
Doctors NOT excited about fracture and says I have an estimated 22 months on generator.
Should I be con...

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New PM losing battery life..

Hi,
I'm 100% paced and had my PM put in on 2-10-2012, that's just over 4 months ago. At my first check up/adjustment I had 8 years on my St. Jude 2210 Accent DRRF that paces my two ventricles, not my atrium, because at the time of implantation I was told I'm in permanent A-fib. Now I'm not in A-fib.

Last Monday at a check up I was told I have 5 years left on my battery life. Originally, I was told that my PM was adjusted to have the longest battery life possible. And at cardio...

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Mammogram and chain saws

Hi PM members,
I am going for my first mammogram after getting my PM and I heard that it can pull out your leads if not done right and then you face surgery again.
Has anyone gone through this?

Also I just got a chain saw and it works great. It has a battery pack so I don't have to pull to get it started. But my friend told me not to use it because a friend of hers died using a chain saw and had a PM. Any information?

Linda

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Lead Question

I may be nuts but I recently started to feel my pulse where the lead enters the vein near my clavicle. I can feel it when I lay still or put my finger on what feels almost like a plastic clamp right where the lead enters the vein. Is this normal? I've just never noticed it before. I find if I change arm positions it goes away. The area is a little irritated from being in a hard shell brace after back surgery. They fitted the brace with room for the PM but it shifts when I walk and rubs on...

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Just had pacemaker replaced.

Hi Everyone,
I just wanted let everyone know who helped me with my earlier post about having it replaced that I finally have the new one, and I finally feel great again!!

The only issue was that during the surgery I felt EVERYTHING!! It hurt so much, the twilight sleep didn't do anything but make me more awake, and she didn't use enough lidacaine on me. I started hyperventalating and crying on the table, because I could feel each cut she was making, I told her it hurt so she ga...

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lead replacements

Hate to bothr any of you guys but I just have to ask this.
I've had a lead issue since 12/11. Dr. has suppose to have been monitoring but have not! Anyway, I have an appoiintment next week for 6 month interigation. I want to know what to ask this dr. Have had PM nearly 20 years now with NO problems at all other than normal generator replacement. Should probably wait to see dr. before I go any further but:
As long as leads have been in will both be replaced
How long does the p...

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You know you're wired when...

You need to be re-booted each morning.

Member Quotes

I am 100% pacemaker dependant and have been all my life. I try not to think about how a little metal box keeps me alive - it would drive me crazy. So I lead a very active life.