Battery Life

[Guest guest]

Hi Tom!

Thanks for responding with the info. I just had my checkup also & was told

that I'll probably have another two or more yrs. out of my device. It's

never fired off but came very close. Paced me out of the tachy.

It's funny how in this day & age you have to really look out for yourself. I

had been to 3 Drs. complaining I didn't feel right. I was told low blood

sugar, and a variety of other interesting things. Finally (after having

10,000 PVCs on a holter monitor & Heart Block + other things) I was put on a

beta blocker and then proceeded to go into ventricular tachycardia (pulse

220)--ICD time.

If I hadn't kept pursuing not feeling well, who knows where I'd be??

Probably others reading this share a similar story. Just listen to your body.

Congratulations on your new red shiny car! That's great.

And you're right about the devices getting smaller & smarter. The Dr. showed

me what I'll probably get next time (unless something better comes)and the

new ones are dual chamber--the ones we have right now are single chamber.

Meaning they even do more..they monitor the ventricular (already do) and the

atrials. Technology is something.

Feel good too, Tom & I'll keep you in my prayers too.

PS Is yours in the chest or abdomen? Mine's in the abdomen & that's just

where it'll be staying. I hear too much controversy about the chest. Just a

personal issue I guess you could say?

Bye,

[Guest guest]

Don't know if ythis is the way this is supposed to wrk but I'll reply

anyway.

Mine is my chest and at present is really itching only been two weeks so I

suppose it's healing.

Still pretty nervous about the whole thing. some days I just don't feel real

good - likwe today - a little light headed when I stand..

Thanks for the prayers - they have helped trewmendously.

Tom

Re: Battery Life

Hi Tom!

Thanks for responding with the info. I just had my checkup also & was told

that I'll probably have another two or more yrs. out of my device. It's

never fired off but came very close. Paced me out of the tachy.

It's funny how in this day & age you have to really look out for yourself.

I

had been to 3 Drs. complaining I didn't feel right. I was told low blood

sugar, and a variety of other interesting things. Finally (after having

10,000 PVCs on a holter monitor & Heart Block + other things) I was put on a

beta blocker and then proceeded to go into ventricular tachycardia (pulse

220)--ICD time.

If I hadn't kept pursuing not feeling well, who knows where I'd be??

Probably others reading this share a similar story. Just listen to your

body.

Congratulations on your new red shiny car! That's great.

And you're right about the devices getting smaller & smarter. The Dr.

showed

me what I'll probably get next time (unless something better comes)and the

new ones are dual chamber--the ones we have right now are single chamber.

Meaning they even do more..they monitor the ventricular (already do) and the

atrials. Technology is something.

Feel good too, Tom & I'll keep you in my prayers too.

PS Is yours in the chest or abdomen? Mine's in the abdomen & that's just

where it'll be staying. I hear too much controversy about the chest. Just

a

personal issue I guess you could say?

Bye,

Please visit the Zapper homepage at

http://www.ZapLife.org

[Guest guest]

,

I have a dual chamber that I have had since last Nov. You are

fortunate you kept pursuing that bad feeling and insisted something

was wrong--you might not be here otherwise.

I'm an OR nurse and I have seen several of the older ICD's removed

from the abdomen. They are much larger than the ones put in these

days. Mine is in my chest--just under my laeft collar bone. The

bigger abd ones look like they would be more uncomfortable. The new

single chamber ones are even smaller--smaller than a lighter. Mine

is about the size of a small tape measure.

Hope your battery lasts a good long time!

Take care,

Eileen

[Guest guest]

Eileen,

Hi! I am also an OR nurse and have had my device since 95, replaced in 97.

Mine is in the abdomen. The 2nd one they put in is much smaller than the

first but still limits my clothing choices. It isn't really uncomfortable,

sometimes I forget it's there(thank goodness for loose scrubs!). As long as

the wires are good I will keep the abdominal site.

It's nice to know there are other nurses with it. I had to do alot of

education at work to alleviate fears of the unknown, the anesthesia dept.

was very helpful!

Kim

Re: Battery Life

> ,

> I have a dual chamber that I have had since last Nov. You are

> fortunate you kept pursuing that bad feeling and insisted something

> was wrong--you might not be here otherwise.

> I'm an OR nurse and I have seen several of the older ICD's removed

> from the abdomen. They are much larger than the ones put in these

> days. Mine is in my chest--just under my laeft collar bone. The

> bigger abd ones look like they would be more uncomfortable. The new

> single chamber ones are even smaller--smaller than a lighter. Mine

> is about the size of a small tape measure.

> Hope your battery lasts a good long time!

> Take care,

> Eileen

>

>

>

>

> Please visit the Zapper homepage at

> http://www.ZapLife.org

>

>

[Guest guest]

Kim,

It is always helpful talking to someone in the same shoes. Why did you have

to have a replacement of 95 implant done in 97? Was it just to give you the

smaller one? I also prefer the abd site.

[Guest guest]

Tom,

Was this your original implant? At least from what we've all experienced,

the itching should be a normal sign of healing. That's probably one of the

most uncomfortable parts of it all! Did they show you what your ICD looks

like before hand?

Feel well!

[Guest guest]

,

There were 47(I think) devices that were found to have faulty crystals, mine

was one of them.The pacing mechanism would malfunction. They called me at

work one day and I had it replaced that afternoon under local.(never again!)

.. No problems yet with this one.

Kim

---- Original Message -----

From: <JSparky422@...>

<egroups>

Sent: Sunday, August 06, 2000 3:05 PM

Subject: Re: Re: Battery Life

> Kim,

>

> It is always helpful talking to someone in the same shoes. Why did you

have

> to have a replacement of 95 implant done in 97? Was it just to give you

the

> smaller one? I also prefer the abd site.

>

>

>

>

>

> Please visit the Zapper homepage at

> http://www.ZapLife.org

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi....have had medtronic implant since 2 weeks ago. It has been a really

traumatic road but I think I am just coming around. Will get the staples out

Thursday but have experienced some really bad days of dizziness, weakness and

exhaustion. I have been told that it takes a good 6 weeks to come around and

3 months before u get back to your original life expectations. I am taking

50 mgs of atenolol and 240 mgs of verapamil. I have IHSS or idiopathic

cardiomyopathy as they call it. Had a second EP study before implant and

ended up with a burn on front and back after external defibs. I guess the

only reason they do that is cardiac arrrest right? Anyway, anybody have any

comments or answers please reply. Thanks!

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I would say that it's definitely 6 wks of adjustment initially. But I just

wonder why they had to do a 2nd EP study. I guess they were trying to rule

out/in specific diagnoses. Those burns I'm sure weren't too much fun.

You'll feel much better soon--especially when you come to terms that we

Bionic People are safer that lots of other folks out there (and safer than we

were before!) We have an expensive Mini-E.R. of our own on duty 24-7.

Take Care,

[Guest guest]

,

This is my first - still getting used to it. The itching isn't quite as bad

today.

It's really pretty small- made by Medtronics Gem II.

Feel it but trying to live with it. I think it will be okay - just having

some emotional adjustments- that's not fun either...oh well.

TTFN-GB

Tom

Re: Battery Life

Tom,

Was this your original implant? At least from what we've all experienced,

the itching should be a normal sign of healing. That's probably one of the

most uncomfortable parts of it all! Did they show you what your ICD looks

like before hand?

Feel well!

Please visit the Zapper homepage at

http://www.ZapLife.org

[Guest guest]

Hi!

I got my device after being diagnosed with viral cardiomyopathy, after 2 ep

studies/ablations and a cath. It does take a while to feel better but hang

in there! My heart function was 25% now 40-45% and the drugs have been cut

from 11 to 2- still take atenolol. Really sorry to hear about the burns,

know they must be painful. Personally I think the emotional difficulties

were worse than the physical, but it does get better!!!!Just takes time.

Take care and good luck!

Kim

Re: Battery Life

> Hi....have had medtronic implant since 2 weeks ago. It has been a really

> traumatic road but I think I am just coming around. Will get the staples

out

> Thursday but have experienced some really bad days of dizziness, weakness

and

> exhaustion. I have been told that it takes a good 6 weeks to come around

and

> 3 months before u get back to your original life expectations. I am

taking

> 50 mgs of atenolol and 240 mgs of verapamil. I have IHSS or idiopathic

> cardiomyopathy as they call it. Had a second EP study before implant and

> ended up with a burn on front and back after external defibs. I guess the

> only reason they do that is cardiac arrrest right? Anyway, anybody have

any

> comments or answers please reply. Thanks!

>

>

>

> Please visit the Zapper homepage at

> http://www.ZapLife.org

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Thought I would share a note here. I had my AICD surgery 7/21. My little

" thumper " is a Guidant Prizm Dual Chamber Model #1851. The condition that I

have is called ARVD (Arrythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia). My Mom, who

never mentioned any heart symptoms, died from sudden cardiac death a week after

her 50th birthday and the autopsy revealed she had ARVD. I discovered that ARVD

is genetic, thus began my quest to get a clean bill of health. That was not to

be, as I do have the same condition. Now I am blessed with an AICD and my

daughters will not have to experience losing their Mom to SCD. Just wondering

if your doctor is aware of ARVD (it is rare) and could check you out for that,

since he is baffled? Something to think about. Hope you are having a wonderful

day. Keep your chin up!

Bless your heart,

Laurie

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I have had my defibrillator since May after a heart attack/by-pass surgery at

age 41, and it takes a few weeks to get adjusted to it both physically and

mentally. Mine was placed in the chest for non-sustained v-tach. I know

what being defibrillated externally feels like, and can relate to those burns

on your chest. My heart went into v-tach during the E.P. Study of the heart,

and they had to defibrillate me to bring me out. V-tach causes the heart to

pump abnormally fast, and then usually causes Sudden Cardiac Death. So far

things have been good, but I always feel better just knowing that I have this

defibrillator if needed.

Mike

Central PA.

[Guest guest]

The emtional healing that needs to take place is just as important as the

physical,as we all have to adjust to this new life change. The only reason

I survived my intial episode of SCD was because the EMS did not give up on

me and shocked me over 17x trying to stablize me enough to get to the

hospital. It took me a good while to work through the emotional trama. But

sharing at suport groups and now on-line helped a lot.

They first diagnosied me as having (1992) idiopathic cardiomyopathy, with a

primary electrical embalance in the lining of the heart. But there was

nothing stucturly wrong with my heart and it looked great! I continued to

eat right, excerise and try to manage my stress level. When they did

another echo-stress test 3 years later, my heart looked great and there was

no deteriation. So the diaganosis was changed. THey don't knwo what the

heck caused the electical mis-firing and after attempts to abalate the

areas where the mis-firing start, the EP test showed that the main problem

area was in the center of the heart. My doctor was even more baffled. So, I

have an extremely rare arrythmia, but my heart is going strong and I am

doing great. That was not the case in the beginning.

We all have diffferent reasons why we get an ICD, but it can get beter and

does for many many people. Hang in there! I will be getting my 3rd ICD in

August, so here is to a good recovery and good times to come!

At 08:28 PM 8/6/00 -0400, you wrote:

>Hi....have had medtronic implant since 2 weeks ago. It has been a really

>traumatic road but I think I am just coming around. Will get the staples

out

>Thursday but have experienced some really bad days of dizziness, weakness

and

>exhaustion. I have been told that it takes a good 6 weeks to come around

and

>3 months before u get back to your original life expectations. I am taking

>50 mgs of atenolol and 240 mgs of verapamil. I have IHSS or idiopathic

>cardiomyopathy as they call it. Had a second EP study before implant and

>ended up with a burn on front and back after external defibs. I guess the

>only reason they do that is cardiac arrrest right? Anyway, anybody have any

>comments or answers please reply. Thanks!

>

>

>

>Please visit the Zapper homepage at

>http://www.ZapLife.org

>

>

[Guest guest]

They did 3 EP test on me before I got my first ICD. FIrst was to find out

what casued the SCD, test medications.2nd and 3rd to re-evaluate before

implant and for programing ICD.

But I just

>wonder why they had to do a 2nd EP study. I guess they were trying to rule

>out/in specific diagnoses. Those burns I'm sure weren't too much fun.

>

>You'll feel much better soon--especially when you come to terms that we

>Bionic People are safer that lots of other folks out there (and safer than

we

>were before!) We have an expensive Mini-E.R. of our own on duty 24-7.

>

>Take Care,

>

>

>

>

>Please visit the Zapper homepage at

>http://www.ZapLife.org

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kim,

Glad to hear from you. Another nurse responded to me the other day

at work when I was on the periop list (owned by Bob Baxter). We

thought we were the few and far between. I must admit I was quite

ignorant of AICD's until getting one. I didn't even know you could

not use a cautery unit unless the ICD was shut off!!! I have since

read AORN's guidelines and gotten quite educated. I am going to a CEU

next month on Laser lead removal--should be interesting. Feel free

to contact me anytime--who knows maybe sometime we will meet at an

AORN or CEU conference.

Take care,

Eileen

> Eileen,

> Hi! I am also an OR nurse and have had my device since 95, replaced

in 97.

> Mine is in the abdomen. The 2nd one they put in is much smaller

than the

> first but still limits my clothing choices. It isn't really

uncomfortable,

> sometimes I forget it's there(thank goodness for loose scrubs!). As

long as

> the wires are good I will keep the abdominal site.

> It's nice to know there are other nurses with it. I had to do alot

of

> education at work to alleviate fears of the unknown, the anesthesia

dept.

> was very helpful!

> Kim

>

> Re: Battery Life

>

>

> > ,

> > I have a dual chamber that I have had since last Nov. You are

> > fortunate you kept pursuing that bad feeling and insisted

something

> > was wrong--you might not be here otherwise.

> > I'm an OR nurse and I have seen several of the older ICD's removed

> > from the abdomen. They are much larger than the ones put in these

> > days. Mine is in my chest--just under my laeft collar bone. The

> > bigger abd ones look like they would be more uncomfortable. The

new

> > single chamber ones are even smaller--smaller than a lighter.

Mine

> > is about the size of a small tape measure.

> > Hope your battery lasts a good long time!

> > Take care,

> > Eileen

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Please visit the Zapper homepage at

> > http://www.ZapLife.org

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I too had burns after being sent into a heart rate of 400 in the EP

lab. They let me pass out before defibrillating. You probably

were'nt in cardiac arrest when you were defibrillated, but in a bad

rhythm that probably would have lead to an arrest if not

defibrillated. It gets better. You have to get over the trauma of

it. It's pretty upsetting to be defibrillated. I know I had a hard

time with it, but then it's better than the alternative.

Take care,

Eileen

> Hi....have had medtronic implant since 2 weeks ago. It has been a

really

> traumatic road but I think I am just coming around. Will get the

staples out

> Thursday but have experienced some really bad days of dizziness,

weakness and

> exhaustion. I have been told that it takes a good 6 weeks to come

around and

> 3 months before u get back to your original life expectations. I

am taking

> 50 mgs of atenolol and 240 mgs of verapamil. I have IHSS or

idiopathic

> cardiomyopathy as they call it. Had a second EP study before

implant and

> ended up with a burn on front and back after external defibs. I

guess the

> only reason they do that is cardiac arrrest right? Anyway, anybody

have any

> comments or answers please reply. Thanks!

[Guest guest]

Laurie, I almost died of SCD and the cause of my V tach is unknown.

Did you have an MRI of your heart to diagnose Arrythmogenic Right

Ventricular Dysplasia? How did your Doctor decide that is what it

was?

Eileen

-- In egroups, LaurieLynn@a... wrote:

> Hi,

>

> Thought I would share a note here. I had my AICD surgery 7/21. My

little " thumper " is a Guidant Prizm Dual Chamber Model #1851. The

condition that I have is called ARVD (Arrythmogenic Right Ventricular

Dysplasia). My Mom, who never mentioned any heart symptoms, died

from sudden cardiac death a week after her 50th birthday and the

autopsy revealed she had ARVD. I discovered that ARVD is genetic,

thus began my quest to get a clean bill of health. That was not to

be, as I do have the same condition. Now I am blessed with an AICD

and my daughters will not have to experience losing their Mom to

SCD. Just wondering if your doctor is aware of ARVD (it is rare) and

could check you out for that, since he is baffled? Something to

think about. Hope you are having a wonderful day. Keep your chin up!

>

> Bless your heart,

>

> Laurie

[Guest guest]

In 1998 I went into v-fib and went out. Animal control lady was nearby and

gave me CPR (Checked me for parvo, too. She remembered the girls I went out

with when I was single.), and then the paramedics came. I got the defib

paddles (front and back) six times (the legal limit in California). woke up

three days later.

The defib left a hole in my back about f and a half inches deep and with the

circumference of a broom handle. It took fourteen months to heal, and the

scar is four to six inches across depending on where you measure it. A

quarter inch to the left or right and the spine or lung would have been hit,

and I wouldn't be here.

Bill

Re: Battery Life

> Hi ,

> I too had burns after being sent into a heart rate of 400 in the EP

> lab. They let me pass out before defibrillating. You probably

> were'nt in cardiac arrest when you were defibrillated, but in a bad

> rhythm that probably would have lead to an arrest if not

> defibrillated. It gets better. You have to get over the trauma of

> it. It's pretty upsetting to be defibrillated. I know I had a hard

> time with it, but then it's better than the alternative.

> Take care,

> Eileen

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> > Hi....have had medtronic implant since 2 weeks ago. It has been a

> really

> > traumatic road but I think I am just coming around. Will get the

> staples out

> > Thursday but have experienced some really bad days of dizziness,

> weakness and

> > exhaustion. I have been told that it takes a good 6 weeks to come

> around and

> > 3 months before u get back to your original life expectations. I

> am taking

> > 50 mgs of atenolol and 240 mgs of verapamil. I have IHSS or

> idiopathic

> > cardiomyopathy as they call it. Had a second EP study before

> implant and

> > ended up with a burn on front and back after external defibs. I

> guess the

> > only reason they do that is cardiac arrrest right? Anyway, anybody

> have any

> > comments or answers please reply. Thanks!

>

>

>

>

> Please visit the Zapper homepage at

> http://www.ZapLife.org

>

[Guest guest]

Bill,

WOW!!! I can't imagine what you must of went through!!! I didn't

know California had a law about how many times someone could be

defibrillated. Seems ridiculous. If it didn't work you would be

dead--if it did work, you're here to recover bad burns. Which is

worse. Didn't I read someone was defibrillated 17 times?

Guess that is another advantage of having an internal defibrillator.

Take care,

Eileen

> > > Hi....have had medtronic implant since 2 weeks ago. It has

been a

> > really

> > > traumatic road but I think I am just coming around. Will get

the

> > staples out

> > > Thursday but have experienced some really bad days of dizziness,

> > weakness and

> > > exhaustion. I have been told that it takes a good 6 weeks to

come

> > around and

> > > 3 months before u get back to your original life expectations.

I

> > am taking

> > > 50 mgs of atenolol and 240 mgs of verapamil. I have IHSS or

> > idiopathic

> > > cardiomyopathy as they call it. Had a second EP study before

> > implant and

> > > ended up with a burn on front and back after external defibs. I

> > guess the

> > > only reason they do that is cardiac arrrest right? Anyway,

anybody

> > have any

> > > comments or answers please reply. Thanks!

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Please visit the Zapper homepage at

> > http://www.ZapLife.org

> >

[Guest guest]

Eileen,

Glad to hear from you too. I work in Southeastern Ohio, where are you from?

I knew about the cautery but once scrubbed in on a hip, not thinking. I

remembered in the nick of time! now I stick to circulating. (although a few

docs still threaten me with the bovie) We keep special magnets for pts. who

have AICD's and require cautery but still have to check with rep. from

company or their doctor. The laser lead removal seminar should be very

interesting, until last week I hadn't heard about it.

Take care and wishes for good health,

Kim

Re: Battery Life

> >

> >

> > > ,

> > > I have a dual chamber that I have had since last Nov. You are

> > > fortunate you kept pursuing that bad feeling and insisted

> something

> > > was wrong--you might not be here otherwise.

> > > I'm an OR nurse and I have seen several of the older ICD's removed

> > > from the abdomen. They are much larger than the ones put in these

> > > days. Mine is in my chest--just under my laeft collar bone. The

> > > bigger abd ones look like they would be more uncomfortable. The

> new

> > > single chamber ones are even smaller--smaller than a lighter.

> Mine

> > > is about the size of a small tape measure.

> > > Hope your battery lasts a good long time!

> > > Take care,

> > > Eileen

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Please visit the Zapper homepage at

> > > http://www.ZapLife.org

> > >

> > >

>

>

>

>

> Please visit the Zapper homepage at

> http://www.ZapLife.org

>

>

[Guest guest]

Great news for you I hope that yoou get that much life out of your battery.

I think the newer ones are lasting much later. Hey how many of you have

medtronic devices and did you all get teh little velvet gift pack of a sample

defibrillator. Know there is something I want to put on my coffe thable for

a conversation piece.

Take Care All

Sharob

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/31/02 8:26:47 PM Central Daylight Time,

russ@... writes:

> . If turned up all the

> way it could be as low as 7-10 hours.

>

who on earth is able to run this thing " up all the way " ?

Thanks,

Tim

[Guest guest]

Hi Tim,

With most people using the unit turned up say 1/2 way which is

typical, you should expect 12-20 hours usage. If turned up all the

way it could be as low as 7-10 hours.

Russ :>)

> To those of you who are using the Sota Instruments Silver Pulser,

how many

> hours do you typically get from your 9v battery.

>

> I'm keeping track of it. Right now I'm using Duracell.

>

> Tim

[Guest guest]

Hi Tim,

With most people using the unit turned up say 1/2 way which is

typical, you should expect 12-20 hours usage. If turned up all the

way it could be as low as 7-10 hours.

Russ :>)

> To those of you who are using the Sota Instruments Silver Pulser,

how many

> hours do you typically get from your 9v battery.

>

> I'm keeping track of it. Right now I'm using Duracell.

>

> Tim