Most Recent Messages in Batteries & Leads

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hmmmm....

hi all! i went to my doctor yesterday and they found i had some noise or static on one of my leads last month. what does that mean exactly?

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New leads

Hi
I had my pacemaker put in 5 weeks ago. There is a problem with one of the leads and I have to have it replaced. I've no idea what to expect. Will it be exactly the same as when I had my pace maker fitted or should it be a bit easier and take a bit less time. Also will the recovery be quicker. Anyone out there who's had this done can you let me know what to expect. It is a dual chamber pacemaker. Thanks Ali

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Replace or Reposition lead?

Hi Fellow Pacers,
I received my PM a wk ago and was told the next day that the bottom lead had moved. I know that this really isn't that rare after reading the posts here. My question is can the lead be repositioned or must it be replaced? I am sure the Dr will explain it to me on Monday but it has been a long week I can't seem to quit thinking about it.
I will let you know how my first visit goes. What questions should I ask other than the obvious lead question?
I hope you have...

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Should I be afraid to sleep?

I have had PM for about 7 years now and I think that my batterie is dead or is dieing. I am going to the Cardi tomorrow but I have not had a check up in over a year due to the lack of insurance. My heart rate is still at about 65 but I dont feel right....light headed and dizzy sometimes. Should I be afraid to go to sleep. I feel fine right now but I dont want to die in my sleep?? I am 23 and this will be my 3rd pacemaker. If the batt dies my heart should continue to beat right?? As of 2 years a...

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pacemaker taken out with leads

I have had my pacemaker taken out after 9 years due to endocarditis, they never put in a replacement because now they say i dont need it anymore has anyone heard of anything like this I am 37 year old male

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Not replacing the battery

My father is 85 years old, has a slight case of diabeties, can barely walk and has problems with circulation in his feet. He has decided not to have his pacemaker battery changed. At this date he has "10" days left on his battery. This number is based on our last visit (May 2, 2009) to the cardio doctor and the tech said he had 89 days of battery life. His cardio dr was very supportive of his decision, however his primary dr tried to get him to talk to more people including his priest. As a fami...

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Steroids

Hi
I had my pacemaker op 5 weeks ago. I was quite breathless and went back to the clinic and was told they thought that the steroid on the end of the lead had failed and i may have to have the op again. They have put me on a course of steroids for 2 weeks and will review again. Has anyone else had this and what was the outcome? They have adjusted the pm for the time being and i think they said they have hired the threshold. that was 1 week ago. Today it feels like my heart is pounding...

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lead replacement of defibrillator

My new defibrillator has shocked me 3 x since Nov 28 -08 installation and not because I always needed it to correct my rhythm. Dr's think lead is in wrong location to read properly and am waiting for surgery to correct it. What am I to expect from this - anyone else have shocks that were by accident. Did new leads fix the problem. I'd rather lead a life thats not so shocking.
Cinderella

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Tommorrow I get a new PM

The doctor said they were putting a three wire macemaker in , a St. Judes I do not know what model. I have never heard of the 3 wire but the doctor said it would give me more energy. Has anyone heard of this. my old one is a pacer it lasted me 1 month shy of 15 years. Keep me in your praters tommorrow to anyone who reads this as I a bit scared. Thank you gosh I love this site : ) Trisha

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Possible lead movement?

Hello. Im 25 years old and I had a dual chamber pacemaker implanted in 2007 from a complication of a complete sinus node ablation, which resulted in severe brady. I havent had any problems what so ever with this pacemaker, but I work at Walmart and tonight when I lifted a 20lb case of kitty litter across the scanner i felt an immediate pulling inside my chest, a slight burn, and some mild discomfort. No serious pain whatsoever and my heart rate remains at 60bpm. It has been a few hours since it...

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New York Times April 7th

This was in the New York Times on April 7th. I thought it was interesting


Removing Medtronic Heart Cables Is Hard Choice
BARRY MEIER
Published: April 6, 2009

BOSTON — Pulling a medical device off the market is one thing. Removing it from the bodies of thousands of patients is a lot more complicated and dangerous.

Jodi Hilton for The New York Times
Dr. Laurence M. Epstein, a surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, specializes in...

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guidant, recall and empty battery

First I was very happy with my pacemaker . It improves the quality of my life, but after a year there was a recall from Guidant and I had a complete newe device In Bangkok. They told me the battery would at least be fine for 5 years. It nevvr chocked and now after I heard yesterday it is empty.after 3 years and 5 months. I got nervous from all these recalls and bad news. Even the docters are not so enthousiastic about Guidant and want to implant a new pacemaker. They told me, that only a battery...

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Advise would be welcome please

Hi everybody-I am a new member although I have been looking at this site since I had my PM implanted on 8th Jan(in th UK)
I had PM fitted because of SOB and light headednes.
Since I hade it fitted I am getting very strong heart beats and can see my heart beating through my chest and also feel the pain in my head. After 6 weeks I went for a PM check up and the technician told me that one of the leads wasn't working-she arranged for x rays and also 24 hr ECG and Blood monitorand advised...

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Is my Pacemaker Old

My pacemaker is a 2 wire I had it put in in 1994 . The doctor sail it was still good for another 6 months that would make it mid June. I am so tired all the time and feel short of breath is this a comand feeling does anyone know? Thanks

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Need Help With Battery Replacement Information

Hi All,

I am totally new to this and do not have anything with me right now. However, my father had a Metronic Pacemaker/Defibrillator installed in 2001. This was actually his second one. We had to wait for the FDA to approve the model that dad really needed. In any case, we were told some time back that when his battery gets low, we will hear a beeping sound. The doctors let us take home the original since we paid for it and we know for a fact that it went off at 7:30 a.m. every...

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I AM SO UPSET!

Hello, people. I have both sinus tachycardia (Afib) and bradycardia so I had my pacemaker put in in October (13th)for the bradycardia. I had complications of a collapsed lung so was in the hospital 9 days. About 2 weeks after I got home, I felt like a shocking sensation one night and the next day I bent to reach over the side of the chair and felt a worse shock. I suddenly saw my pulse that was usually in the 60's go into the high 80's and 90's. Apparently, I pulled out my lead, but no one seeme...

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Not Replacing the Battery

Hello,
My dad is 85 years old. His pacemaker controls 97% of his heart. His battery is due to be replaced and he has refused to have this done. My mom died 7 months ago and my dad misses her so much. I take care of him and he also doesn't like that..since he feels I should have a life myself. I love him...and don't want to go against his wishes. If anyone has any idea what will take place if he doesn't have the battery replaced..I'd sure appreciate any input. The cardiologist says he's ne...

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How long do they last?

My husband has a a biventricular icd/pacemaker since January of 2006, in December it has 75% power left in its battery, last Thursday he went in for another check and it has 25% power left. He has never been shocked. Does this mean something bad is happening? It really scares me or is this a normal occurrence. I wondered if that means his heart is getting worse and it is pumping or something more for him. I asked at this doctor's but got no sensible response just a "oh, sometimes they do th...

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More News on the Medtronic Lead Problem

This may be worse than initially reported:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123697437188922919.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

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question for the veterans

For those of you who have been through multiple battery changes and new leads, did any of you have trouble getting a second set of leads in? And when you got your second leads, did you leave the pm on the same side? My impeded lead has gotten worse so I'm going to have to get it replaced when I do my next battery. She mentioned the possibility of extraction and/or going to the right side. I'm still on my first set of leads, I thought 2 sets pretty much always fit, and I definitely don't want to...

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You know you're wired when...

Your old device becomes a paper weight for your desk.

Member Quotes

My muscles are very sore but each day it gets better and my range of movement is improving.