Guest guest Posted May 21, 2003 Report Share Posted May 21, 2003 Hi Jess; Mine is a dual chamber Medtronic, implanted in March 2000. I was just told in December that mine was at the half way point.... I was hoping it would take another 2 1/2 years, since it took 2 1/2 year to ge tto this point!!!??? Mine has only charged once (no shock) and I've used it minimally for pacing as well. ~guin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 21, 2003 Report Share Posted May 21, 2003 Hi Jes, I'm in the same boat - my ICD isn't even making 3 years and its hardly used I'll be getting it replaced in a few weeks. ICD Replacement... UGH! ... here I go again... I thought when my second ICD was implanted in Nov of '98 I wouldn't repeat this again for 7 yrs... surprise! ... back in Nov of '02 EP said battery was beginning to drop... not to worry, I remember first one took 2 1/2 yrs after it began to drop before I needed replacement... and even then they were pushing it 'cause I had a special vacation planned that Dec and was afraid it would fall due close to that date and mess up our plans... now last Nov, 4 yrs after replacement this battery begins to drop... 3 months later, last Feb, battery has taken big drop, replacement coming soon, as in before end of yr, according to EP... surprise, surprise, surprise... just returned from EP visit... battery is coput!!! I need new unit, NOW! and I never use it for zapping, only pacing of brady, and very little for that... has anyone else been finding thier 4 y/o units are requiring replacement already???? JES in 'Jersey(correction, JES in state of shock!)Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 21, 2003 Report Share Posted May 21, 2003 Hi Jess in STATE of shock, Welcome to the club. I have a Guidant which was implanted in 6/98 it was replaced by another Guidant in 7/2002. I have a dual chamber pacer with mine and am dependent on it 100% of the time. I was told 4-7 years on the first one........you can see it did not last that long. Most I have talked to say they have been replaced after 3-4 years whether used or not. Good luck on the replacement. Remember that is better to be in a STATE of shock than have a shock!!!!! Doug ICD Replacement... > UGH! ... here I go again... I thought when my second ICD was > implanted in Nov of '98 I wouldn't repeat this again for 7 yrs... > surprise! ... back in Nov of '02 EP said battery was beginning to > drop... not to worry, I remember first one took 2 1/2 yrs after it > began to drop before I needed replacement... and even then they were > pushing it 'cause I had a special vacation planned that Dec and was > afraid it would fall due close to that date and mess up our plans... > now last Nov, 4 yrs after replacement this battery begins to drop... > 3 months later, last Feb, battery has taken big drop, replacement > coming soon, as in before end of yr, according to EP... surprise, > surprise, surprise... just returned from EP visit... battery is > coput!!! I need new unit, NOW! and I never use it for zapping, only > pacing of brady, and very little for that... has anyone else been > finding thier 4 y/o units are requiring replacement already???? > JES in 'Jersey > (correction, JES in state of shock!) > > > > Please visit the Zapper homepage at > http://www.ZapLife.org > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 22, 2003 Report Share Posted May 22, 2003 Ventritex by St. Jude... model C-175, or 175-C... EP is unaware of any problems w/this unit... I know other models have have a problem. JES, still in state of shock > > UGH! ... here I go again... I thought when my > > second ICD was > > implanted in Nov of '98 I wouldn't repeat this > > again for 7 yrs... > > surprise! ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 22, 2003 Report Share Posted May 22, 2003 ... what brand do you have? JES > Hi Jes, > > I'm in the same boat - my ICD isn't even making 3 years and its hardly used I'll be getting it replaced in a few weeks. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 22, 2003 Report Share Posted May 22, 2003 LOL! ... Doug, you are so right about that... I've NEVER been shocked outside of 'lab during testing and I'd like to keep it that way if at all possible... I was told 4-5 yrs w/first one... made it to 4 1/2 yrs.. okay ... but manufacturer said 10 on this one and EP said 7 yrs would be more realistic... so when in Nov'02 at 4 yrs I was told it was beginning to run down I thought 4 yrs plus 2 1/2 yrs is 6 1/2 yrs.. okay... but HELLOOOOOOO! ... back to EP's today and replacement is needed, NOW! \o/ ... and today EP has no recollection of telling me 7 yrs... she just did a talk on the average life expectancy of ICD's and they find in Philadephia it's only 4 yrs so she's saying I'm ahead of the game \o/ JES, Still in state of shock!!! > Hi Jess in STATE of shock, > > Welcome to the club. I have a Guidant which was implanted in 6/98 it was > replaced by another Guidant in 7/2002. I have a dual chamber pacer with > mine and am dependent on it 100% of the time. I was told 4-7 years on the > first one........you can see it did not last that long. Most I have talked > to say they have been replaced after 3-4 years whether used or not. > Good luck on the replacement. > Remember that is better to be in a STATE of shock than have a shock!!!!! > > Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 22, 2003 Report Share Posted May 22, 2003 OMG - Jes - I have the same one! Its the St. Jude capacitor - they drain the battery prematurely Re: ICD Replacement... Ventritex by St. Jude... model C-175, or 175-C... EP is unaware of any problems w/this unit... I know other models have have a problem.JES, still in state of shock > > UGH! ... here I go again... I thought when my> > second ICD was > > implanted in Nov of '98 I wouldn't repeat this> > again for 7 yrs... > > surprise! ...Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 22, 2003 Report Share Posted May 22, 2003 Hi, I just had my third unit in 10 years! I also have not had many "zaps" but still needed a replacement May 1st. The new criteria is "charge time". Mine was up to 21 seconds too long they say. The surgery and recovery is never pleasant. I think my family is getting a bit tired of this. If they only knew what it is like for me!!! Oh well. Enough complaining. I'm still on the right side of the grass. MGMSebring Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 22, 2003 Report Share Posted May 22, 2003 Hi Turk, I'm on my third Guidant device now and in 12 years have never had a problem with one. That's what keeps me going back. You have an excellent device. By the way, when refers to someone constantly announcing the existence of another chat site and support group she has to be talking about moi. I'm not doing anything to hurt Duffey or his set up, hell I'm a major contributor and feel I have helped others, but leaving that alone Guidant is cool. Gordon Griffith (Griff) Re: ICD Replacement... ... for real? where are you finding this info 'cause I've not seen where this particular model is effected, nor is my EP aware of problem w/this model... I'm not going to the St. Jude board to take a closer look... ... I want my prorated refund on this model :)JES ... Blood work done.. just waiting for hsp to call > > > UGH! ... here I go again... I thought when my> > > second ICD was > > > implanted in Nov of '98 I wouldn't repeat this> > > again for 7 yrs... > > > surprise! ...> > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2003 Report Share Posted May 23, 2003 Hi Jes, I don't remember if I have your exact model - but one batch from my model was recalled due to a capacitor problem in 2001, which they've been watching me for. Mine never showed the 'qualities' of the other batch, but we're sceptacle thats why mine is going so quickly. I then found that St. Jude puts those same capacitors in all the ones they made - which they've since changed. Of course they won't own up to it - even after the lawyers were involved, they just offer a new one; never mind the fact that we have to go through surgery again. ::sigh:: My next one will be a medtronic. Re: ICD Replacement... ... for real? where are you finding this info 'cause I've not seen where this particular model is effected, nor is my EP aware of problem w/this model... I'm not going to the St. Jude board to take a closer look... ... I want my prorated refund on this model :)JES ... Blood work done.. just waiting for hsp to call > > > UGH! ... here I go again... I thought when my> > > second ICD was > > > implanted in Nov of '98 I wouldn't repeat this> > > again for 7 yrs... > > > surprise! ...> > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2003 Report Share Posted May 23, 2003 "By the way, when refers to someone constantly announcing the existence of another chat site and support group she has to be talking about moi." huh? Re: ICD Replacement... ... for real? where are you finding this info 'cause I've not seen where this particular model is effected, nor is my EP aware of problem w/this model... I'm not going to the St. Jude board to take a closer look... ... I want my prorated refund on this model :)JES ... Blood work done.. just waiting for hsp to call > > > UGH! ... here I go again... I thought when my> > > second ICD was > > > implanted in Nov of '98 I wouldn't repeat this> > > again for 7 yrs... > > > surprise! ...> > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2003 Report Share Posted May 23, 2003 I'm on my third device and as far back as I can remember the FDA controls the change out time and it is based on the length of time it takes the device to recharge itself to deliver another shock therapy if needed. The FDA still rules the roost in that area. This side of the grass is always the side we want to be on. Griff Re: ICD Replacement... Hi,I just had my third unit in 10 years! I also have not had many "zaps" but still needed a replacement May 1st. The new criteria is "charge time". Mine was up to 21 seconds too long they say.The surgery and recovery is never pleasant. I think my family is getting a bit tired of this. If they only knew what it is like for me!!! Oh well. Enough complaining. I'm still on the right side of the grass. MGMSebring Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2003 Report Share Posted May 23, 2003 Hi Turk, Haven't heard anything bad about Guidants - ever. Which can't be a bad thing Re: ICD Replacement... ... for real? where are you finding this info 'cause I've not seen where this particular model is effected, nor is my EP aware of problem w/this model... I'm not going to the St. Jude board to take a closer look... ... I want my prorated refund on this model :)JES ... Blood work done.. just waiting for hsp to call > > > UGH! ... here I go again... I thought when my> > > second ICD was > > > implanted in Nov of '98 I wouldn't repeat this> > > again for 7 yrs... > > > surprise! ...> > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2003 Report Share Posted May 23, 2003 Which one did they put in the vice president? On Thursday, May 22, 2003, at 07:36 PM, mai_lin wrote: > Hi Turk, >  > Haven't heard anything bad about Guidants - ever. Which can't be a > bad thing  >  > > > Re: ICD Replacement... > > ... for real? where are you finding this info 'cause I've not > seen where this particular model is effected, nor is my EP aware of > problem w/this model... I'm not going to the St. Jude board to take a > closer look... ... I want my prorated refund on this model > JES ... Blood work done.. just waiting for hsp to call > > >  > > UGH! ... here I go again... I thought when my > >  > > second ICD was > >  > > implanted in Nov of '98 I wouldn't repeat this > >  > > again for 7 yrs... > >  > > surprise! ... > > > > > >        Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2003 Report Share Posted May 23, 2003 I beleive I read his is a Medtronic dual chamber..... " a fancy pacemaker " !!!! ~guin Hiranuma wrote: > Which one did they put in the vice president? > > On Thursday, May 22, 2003, at 07:36 PM, mai_lin wrote: > > Hi Turk, > > Haven't heard anything bad about Guidants - ever. Which can't be a bad thing > > > > Re: ICD Replacement... > > ... for real? where are you finding this info 'cause I've not > seen where this particular model is effected, nor is my EP aware of > problem w/this model... I'm not going to the St. Jude board to take a > closer look... ... I want my prorated refund on this model > JES ... Blood work done.. just waiting for hsp to call > > > > > UGH! ... here I go again... I thought when my > > > > second ICD was > > > > implanted in Nov of '98 I wouldn't repeat this > > > > again for 7 yrs... > > > > surprise! ... > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2003 Report Share Posted May 23, 2003 > This side of the grass is always the side we want to be on. Well . . . unless you are a spelunker. Bridget Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2003 Report Share Posted May 23, 2003 Hi ... I'm sorta leaning towards Medtronic these myself days ... EP mentioned it in passing... but I think I'm going to insist... I've been taking an independant survey of those on my mailing list as to which brands they have and longevity of same... it appears to me thus far that Medtronic is ahead in my unofficial survey ... one fella is even edging towards 7 yrs (next month) on his first unit!!!! ... as for St. Jude... I posed my ? to them and got a reply yesterday... bla, bla, bla lots of energy required to charge up for schock, and then ultimately delivery therapy, bla, bla, bla... units longeveity is between 3.5 and 6.5 yrs thererfore 5.5 would be w/in normal range... to which I say " EXCEPT " mine isn't 5 1/2 yrs old, it's only 4 1/2 yr old and I have never recieved therapy, pacing for V-tach isn't even turned on, and I only get paced for brady 1/2 % of the time... I'm still waiting for their counter reply JES in 'Jersey God Bless America and our troops everywhere! > Hi Jes, > > I don't remember if I have your exact model - but one batch from my model was recalled due to a capacitor problem in 2001, which they've been watching me for. Mine never showed the 'qualities' of the other batch, but we're sceptacle thats why mine is going so quickly. I then found that St. Jude puts those same capacitors in all the ones they made - which they've since changed. > > Of course they won't own up to it - even after the lawyers were involved, they just offer a new one; never mind the fact that we have to go through surgery again. ::sigh:: > > My next one will be a medtronic. > Service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2003 Report Share Posted May 23, 2003 MGM... this will be my 3rd unit in under 9 years, and I've NEVER been zapped, not even paced for V-tach... that feature isn't even turned on 'cause I slip into V-fib too quickly for pacing... now let me ask you this... I believe the ultimate criteria has always been the recharge time... I know it was w/my first one implanted 6/94 and that's what's causing the need for replacement like " yesterday " but actually happening next Wed ... recharge time is " greater than 30 seconds " ... EP stated she has not way of knowing it that means 31 seconds, 60 seconds, or a day or two ... basically, I'm a ticking time bomb as we " speak " ... I found the replacement to be a " piece of cake " the last time... but that was still when they did it in OR and I was " out " for entire procedure... this one is going to be in 'lab while awake ... but all will be fine come Thurs JES in 'Jersey but soon to be in EP lab for 2nd replacement > Hi, > > I just had my third unit in 10 years! I also have not had many " zaps " but > still needed a replacement May 1st. The new criteria is " charge time " . Mine > was up to 21 seconds too long they say. > > The surgery and recovery is never pleasant. I think my family is getting a > bit tired of this. If they only knew what it is like for me!!! Oh well. > Enough complaining. I'm still on the right side of the grass. > > > MGMSebring Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2003 Report Share Posted May 23, 2003 forget the " now let me ask you this " part... I reread your post and answered my own ? ... at first I'd thought you were going in for your third unit in May... but dahhhhh, May 1st has come and gone JES > MGM... this will be my 3rd unit in under 9 years, and I've NEVER been > zapped, not even paced for V-tach... that feature isn't even turned > on 'cause I slip into V-fib too quickly for pacing... now let me ask > you this... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2003 Report Share Posted May 23, 2003 Ha! Wonder what they would say of my 2.75 years. I'm crazy for cross stitch! http://mai_lin.tripod.com/crossstitch/mainframes.html >From: " JES " <Naojeca@...> >Reply- > >Subject: Re: ICD Replacement... >Date: Fri, 23 May 2003 14:45:21 -0000 > >Hi ... I'm sorta leaning towards Medtronic these myself >days ... EP mentioned it in passing... but I think I'm going to >insist... I've been taking an independant survey of those on my >mailing list as to which brands they have and longevity of same... it >appears to me thus far that Medtronic is ahead in my unofficial >survey ... one fella is even edging towards 7 yrs (next month) on his >first unit!!!! ... as for St. Jude... I posed my ? to them and got a >reply yesterday... bla, bla, bla lots of energy required to charge up >for schock, and then ultimately delivery therapy, bla, bla, bla... >units longeveity is between 3.5 and 6.5 yrs thererfore 5.5 would be >w/in normal range... to which I say " EXCEPT " mine isn't 5 1/2 yrs >old, it's only 4 1/2 yr old and I have never recieved therapy, pacing >for V-tach isn't even turned on, and I only get paced for brady 1/2 % >of the time... I'm still waiting for their counter reply >JES in 'Jersey >God Bless America and our troops everywhere! > > > > Hi Jes, > > > > I don't remember if I have your exact model - but one batch from my >model was recalled due to a capacitor problem in 2001, which they've >been watching me for. Mine never showed the 'qualities' of the other >batch, but we're sceptacle thats why mine is going so quickly. I >then found that St. Jude puts those same capacitors in all the ones >they made - which they've since changed. > > > > Of course they won't own up to it - even after the lawyers were >involved, they just offer a new one; never mind the fact that we have >to go through surgery again. ::sigh:: > > > > My next one will be a medtronic. > > >Service. > _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2003 Report Share Posted May 23, 2003 Wellllllllllll , according to my latest response from St. Jude, they'd have your EP or surgeon return the unit to them for testing and if there were a problem found they'd honor the warranty... is what they've offered to do for me Joan > > > Hi Jes, > > > > > > I don't remember if I have your exact model - but one batch from my > >model was recalled due to a capacitor problem in 2001, which they've > >been watching me for. Mine never showed the 'qualities' of the other > >batch, but we're sceptacle thats why mine is going so quickly. I > >then found that St. Jude puts those same capacitors in all the ones > >they made - which they've since changed. > > > > > > Of course they won't own up to it - even after the lawyers were > >involved, they just offer a new one; never mind the fact that we have > >to go through surgery again. ::sigh:: > > > > > > My next one will be a medtronic. > > > > >Service. > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE* > http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2003 Report Share Posted May 23, 2003 Wouldn't a third party testing of your device be more practical? Griff Re: ICD Replacement... Wellllllllllll , according to my latest response from St. Jude, they'd have your EP or surgeon return the unit to them for testing and if there were a problem found they'd honor the warranty... is what they've offered to do for me :)Joan> > > Hi Jes,> > >> > > I don't remember if I have your exact model - but one batch from my> >model was recalled due to a capacitor problem in 2001, which they've> >been watching me for. Mine never showed the 'qualities' of the other> >batch, but we're sceptacle thats why mine is going so quickly. I> >then found that St. Jude puts those same capacitors in all the ones> >they made - which they've since changed.> > >> > > Of course they won't own up to it - even after the lawyers were> >involved, they just offer a new one; never mind the fact that we have> >to go through surgery again. ::sigh::> > >> > > My next one will be a medtronic.> > >> >Service.> >> > _________________________________________________________________> MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE* > http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virusPlease visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2003 Report Share Posted May 23, 2003 Thanks griiff, i just wanted to know if anyone had any ideas besides me. Appreciate the help. TURK >From: " GORDON GRIFFITH " <cacps2@...> >Reply- >< > >Subject: Re: Re: ICD Replacement... >Date: Thu, 22 May 2003 17:49:17 -0400 > >Hi Turk, I'm on my third Guidant device now and in 12 years have never had >a problem with one. That's what keeps me going back. You have an excellent >device. By the way, when refers to someone constantly announcing >the existence of another chat site and support group she has to be talking >about moi. I'm not doing anything to hurt Duffey or his set up, hell I'm a >major contributor and feel I have helped others, but leaving that alone >Guidant is cool. Gordon Griffith (Griff) > Re: ICD Replacement... > > > ... for real? where are you finding this info 'cause I've not > seen where this particular model is effected, nor is my EP aware of > problem w/this model... I'm not going to the St. Jude board to take a > closer look... ... I want my prorated refund on this model > JES ... Blood work done.. just waiting for hsp to call > > > > > UGH! ... here I go again... I thought when my > > > > second ICD was > > > > implanted in Nov of '98 I wouldn't repeat this > > > > again for 7 yrs... > > > > surprise! ... > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2003 Report Share Posted May 23, 2003 Gordon it wasnot jennifer it was somebody else. >From: " mai_lin " <mai_lin@...> >Reply- >< > >Subject: Re: Re: ICD Replacement... >Date: Thu, 22 May 2003 18:58:19 -0400 > > " By the way, when refers to someone constantly announcing the >existence of another chat site and support group she has to be talking >about moi. " > >huh? > > > > Re: ICD Replacement... > > > ... for real? where are you finding this info 'cause I've >not > seen where this particular model is effected, nor is my EP aware of > problem w/this model... I'm not going to the St. Jude board to take >a > closer look... ... I want my prorated refund on this model > JES ... Blood work done.. just waiting for hsp to call > > > > > UGH! ... here I go again... I thought when my > > > > second ICD was > > > > implanted in Nov of '98 I wouldn't repeat this > > > > again for 7 yrs... > > > > surprise! ... > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2003 Report Share Posted May 23, 2003 Thanks . >From: " mai_lin " <mai_lin@...> >Reply- >< > >Subject: Re: Re: ICD Replacement... >Date: Thu, 22 May 2003 22:36:08 -0400 > >Hi Turk, > >Haven't heard anything bad about Guidants - ever. Which can't be a bad >thing > > > Re: ICD Replacement... > > > ... for real? where are you finding this info 'cause I've not > seen where this particular model is effected, nor is my EP aware of > problem w/this model... I'm not going to the St. Jude board to take a > closer look... ... I want my prorated refund on this model > JES ... Blood work done.. just waiting for hsp to call > > > > > UGH! ... here I go again... I thought when my > > > > second ICD was > > > > implanted in Nov of '98 I wouldn't repeat this > > > > again for 7 yrs... > > > > surprise! ... > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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