Pacemakers Support Group
A pacemaker (or artificial pacemaker) is a medical device which uses electrical impulses, delivered by electrodes contacting the heart muscles, to regulate the beating of the heart. The primary purpose of a pacemaker is to maintain an adequate heart rate, either because the heart's native pacemaker is not fast enough, or there is a block in the heart's electrical...
about a week ago I heard the alarm that tells me the battery in my device is low enough to get replaced. It looks like I will hear that alarm every night at 8pm until 9-22 when I get it replaced. I will probably get a new lead because one was "on alert" and I will also have one lead repositioned. Its voltage was turned down because it was pacing my diaphragm. I am excited to get the new updated model, but I am not looking forward to the surgery and getting used to the new device. This one that I have now definitely feels like a part of me.
deleted_user
Good luck with your upcoming surgery. I got my pacemaker in 2009.. so I have a bit to get my battery changed!! It has only been a year and I feel the same way. This divice is apart of me!!!
deleted_user
Good luck! I got my battery replaced back in July of 2009. Mine didn't have an alarm though... I just felt horrible all the time! That was my alarm. I didn't have to get the lead changed this time though... The experience is still fresh in my mind. I hope you have a quick recovery.
sb57
Got my new Pacemaker/icd. Everything is fine. Outpatient surger.y. My arm and left side are still sore and hurting, but will be better soon I am sure. I did have 2 leads replaced. I hope this one lasts longer. zoeme, I can't believe your device didn't have a way to alarm you that it was in need of being replaced. I guess it really made you appreciate what the device is doing for you when you found out it wasn't working. good luck.
deleted_user
My cardiologist has recently recommended me for a pacemaker. I am experiencing brachycardia and skip beats. My appointment with the specialist is next month. I am worried about having the surgery and adapting to having a pacemaker within me. Can you tell me what to expect?
sb57
I am not sure exactly what kind of pacemaker you will receive with your type of problem or if you will receive an icd, but either way I can give you a little idea of what the surgery will be like. For me, this second surgery was much easier than the 1st. You will probably go in to the hospital early one morning, have the procedure, and maybe go home that day. when I received my 1st pacemaker, I did have to stay overnight and I did have a slight problem afterwards, but was still fine in a weeks time. This time I was home on the same day and fine in a couple of days. You will be sore(arm and site of the incision). You will need to be careful lifting and will need to limit your activities for a while. There will be somethings you will not ever be able to do again(MRI). You will probably feel better almost immediately.
deleted_user
I got a pacemaker because I was diagnosed with Bradycardia due to surgery for tachycardia (ablation) went horribly wrong. This was when I was 24. I couldn't get a pacemaker right away because I had no insurance. I felt terrible. Very slow and no energy to do anything. I lived like that for 2 years. My Pacemaker changed my life. I'm grateful. Still, for me, the second surgery was harder for me. They had a hard time getting the battery out and it was a struggle. Either way, my life has improved so much because of it so... no complaints here! I'm glad your surgery went well!
deleted_user
Pacemakers have alarms? This is news to me, though good news. I was wondering how the patient was to know when it was time, other than pacer clinic.
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