St Jude battery problem
 

My battery is getting warm and needs to be replaced. Anyone have experience with this? Surgery scheduled 12/6 if approved by insurance.

Hey NJ
 

We have had folks whose battery had to be replaced, due more to the failure of a charge holding than a temperature rising. If someone here has experienced your phenomenon, they will chime in and usually pretty quickly, as we have a pretty inclusive, helpful group of folks.

Hoping the best for you,
Mark56:grouphug:

Battery replacement
 

Hi

I had my St Jude implant done in Aug 2010. However, 6 months later the battery wouldn't recharge for me and I had to have it replaced. It was replaced without any charge to me at all by my insurance company. But it was only 6 months old. I didn't experience any heating of the battery it just wouldn't charge up.

How long do you have your implant?

Jackie :)

Hello Njbackpain!
 

Welcome! :hug:

You've come to the right place for support and great input!
I'm sure you'll be hearing from others who've been where you are now.
We can help track down some members who've had the same problem with the battery heating up, in case they don't see your post.

How long have you had this battery? Just curious.

It's great to have you with us!

Rae
:grouphug:

Hi NJ!
I have two St Jude stimulators, they were implanted in June 2011. I received a letter from St Jude a month or so ago regarding battery overheating in certain models (mine being one of them). I have noticed that mine do get pretty hot when charging. My rep told me to charge more often since it would cut down the amount of time spent charging each time. It really does help. They told me that they would not do anything about it (replacing it) unless charging got painful. I am good with that since it is not hurting.

Sorry you need to have your battery changed out. Good luck with your surgery.
Nanc
:hug:

Heating.... OH, HEATING!
 

OK, here is a well "Duh" moment on Mark56.... even my Boston Scientific internal unit warms when charging if I have allowed the residual power of the internal unit to de-charge too much before a recharge session. Especially my external charger will become warm to the touch if charging for longer than 45 minutes during a session.

Having learned thus, I attempt to charge my unit for 30 minutes at a time.

Yup,
Mark56:)

Lol, well, as a newbie to an scs (July 2012), I assumed heat was normal due to everything else I have heating up when I charge(cell phone, Laptop, iPad, etc.) my main issue is considerable weight loss has caused my battery to stick out and hurt me. Oh well, can't have another surgery due to massive amounts of blood thinners. I'll live With it. I've been told it doesn't cause problems. Hopefully no recall for the next nine months since I'll be on Coumadin.

TK

Thank you for the thoughts.

My implant was June 21, 2012.

My overheating is when I use it NOT when I charge it.

My surgery is 12/6 if insurance approves it.

Ahhhhh USE not Charge
 

I can absolutely see why there is concern in your situation NJ. If excessive heat during use, it would seem anomalous and bear checking by the manufacturer and your Doc. I know Jackiey had to have battery replacement due to failure to retain charge, so it stands to reason there are other issues relating to the device as well. Goodness, if one does something as simple as pop the batteries from a NiCad flashlight after long use, discernable heat dissipation is noticed from the batteries just as an FYI.

I realize heat as an issue in the use of the Stim was not a bargained for outcome, and I truly pray as you indicate- insurance will respond with a favorable nod to pursue your need for addressing the issue.
Waiting with you,
Mark56:hug::grouphug:

Thank you everyone for your thoughts so far. Found out today that my insurance approved my surgery. So dec 6 is my date.