Guest guest Posted February 9, 1999 Report Share Posted February 9, 1999 My Medtronic defibrillator is almost out of battery life. Trying to decide if I should have it out and not replace it. Mine has never gone off so I reason that I really don't need it. YK2 problems with the defibrillator? Can it just be left in when the batteries are done or does it do something strange to your body like corrode or get fluid in the leads? Any info will be greatly appreciated as this has been weighing heavily on my mind. Judy ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 1999 Report Share Posted February 9, 1999 Judy: I would think long and hard before I had it taken out, it may not have gone off, but if you ever need it and it isn't there the results could be disasterous. Gordon ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 1999 Report Share Posted February 9, 1999 > My Medtronic defibrillator is almost out of battery life. Trying to decide if I should have it out and not replace it. Mine has never gone off so I reason that I really don't need it. NOoooooo! Let me echo the sentiments posted earlier by my pal Gordon: Just because it has not gone off does NOT mean you do not need it! You have it because a (reliable) [EP] test revealed you likely have a propensity for potentially lethal arrhythmias. Many people go years between deadly episodes... then out of the blue: *BAM!* Let me explain it the way one of my doctors did: Medicine can prevent fatal arrhythmias 85% of the time. AN ICD can prevent fatal arrhythmias 99% of the time. Sorry, but for the 14% better chance to keep breathing... I'd opt for the (infrequent) discomfort of having this pricey little piece of hardware inside me. Not having a replacement due to comfort or fear of surgery rationale is irrational. Perhaps the often repeated cliche below will put this issue into perspective. Did you ever hear about the deeply religious woman who was trapped in her home during a heavy rain? When her home started to flood, police came to her home and urged her to evacuate. She said, " No thanks... My god will keep me safe. " The rain continued and the water rose. She moved to second floor and firemen in a boat came by and tried to rescue her, but she again turned them away saying, " No thanks... My god will keep me safe. " The flood waters rose, and she went to the attic and climbed out on her roof. A coast guard helicopter appeared and lowered a rope, but she pushed it away saying, " No thanks... My god will keep me safe. " Well, a few minutes later she was engulfed in swirling waters and drown. When she came through the gates of heaven she met god and asked, " I loved you all my life, why did you not save me and let me die? " God said, " Goodness lady... Who do you think sent the police, firemen, and coast guard? " God may not have invented the ICD, but I think he had something to do with creating the people who did build these life saving tools. Just... MHO and 2-cents. Stay well and secure Judy... Duffey ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 1999 Report Share Posted February 9, 1999 Judy -- let me jump in here too. My first defib was implanted in 1991. I had it until 1994 and never had a zap. Had second one implanted and went 2 more years without a zap -- and then POW -- I had 2 zaps in 2 months!! I'd advise keeping it--peace of mind is worth a lot! Anita ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 1999 Report Share Posted February 9, 1999 Judy, I echo Duffey's words " Noooooo! " I am on my third defib and replacement is a simple operation. Your drs put it there for a reason. And without sounding too trite -- better safe than sorry :-) If you ever need it, it is there. Sort of like air bags in a car, hopefully you have never been and never will be in an accident, but the chance is there and the air bags could save your life. Take care, in SC ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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