Pacemaker

[Lurchergirl]

Has anyone on the forum had a Pacemaker done privately and what was the cost?

[Lowerfield_no_more]

In the absence of any replies, I suggest you go on a private medicine provider's website e.g. Spire or Nuffield and you might find they publish indicative prices, Alternatively talk to your local provider of choice and ask them for a quote.

[L8Again in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Some typical prices here: clevelandcliniclondon.uk/pa...

I would have thought that the type of pacemaker would impact the final price: eg, single; dual or three lead.

There are also future costs to consider such as pacing checks and any battery change. The NHS is under no obligation to take on continuing care if you go down the private route.

There is also the need to consider what repeat tests you will require as my wife and I know from experience that a private cardiologist does not have access to a patient’s NHS record.

[Lurchergirl in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Thank you for replying, I will check that out

[Alixia]

I had an ICD implanted at Cleveland clinic and costs were around £60k. This included general anaesthetic and an overnight stay. Luckily my health insurance covered all costs.

[Lurchergirl in reply to Alixia]

On that basis I think I`ll wait for the NHS, it`s not that imperative. Thank you for replying.

[honeybubs]

I had a pacemaker privately CRT-D I think it was around £45,000 UK we had insurance to cover the costs though.

[Lurchergirl in reply to honeybubs]

I don`t think I`ll be going private on that basis and will stay on the NHS waiting list. Thank you for responding.

[Bingo88]

I am sorry to hear you are having to think about going Private for a Pacemaker. I would have thought. How bad your condition is would determine how quickly the Pacemaker procedure was done. I know the health service is under tremendous pressure at the moment. I should speak to your g.p. and see if it can be done privately and paid for by the NHS or you can get it done quicker in another area. You shouldn't have to pay Private if you have worked all your life and paid your national insurance contributions. Hope you get some help. Brian

[Lurchergirl in reply to Bingo88]

It does go against the grain when I have worked all my life and paid my dues as you say but there are some days when my symptoms are particularly bad and I get fed up of it. I have had the procedure cancelled twice and I don`t think my Cardiologist considers it serious enough to make it urgent, it`s more of a nuisance to me rather than life threatening. I have no heart issues other than this electrical disturbance which comes and goes so I will stay on the waiting list and one day maybe I might make it to the top.

[Bingo88 in reply to Lurchergirl]

I hope you get the procedure done soon. Its nothing to worry about. Mine took 90 minutes to complete and I was completely awake for the procedure. Just felt a bit of pushing and prodding getting the pacemaker into place. They numb all your shoulder up so you don't even feel the cut. Take care and hope it happens soon. Brian

[Lurchergirl in reply to Bingo88]

Hi Brian Thanks for replying to my post and how the op went for you, your comments were very reassuring as I am really nervous about it and know I`ll be a bag of nerves when the time comes. How long were you before you got back to normal after the procedure? I`m a carer for my Husband and the weeks afterwards worries me as they tell you you can`t do this and you can`t do that. I have these reversion pauses at the moment and that`s the reason I need it. The procedure has been cancelled twice so I go back to the bottom of the list again when that happens. Don`t think we can run to a private procedure having enquired so I shall wait for the NHS.

Thank you for your kind comments, Brian.

[Bingo88 in reply to Lurchergirl]

Your welcome love. From what I remember you have to inform dvlc and car insurance about your pacemaker and depending on what the condition you had it for depends how long before you can drive. I was not allowed to drive for 6 weeks. So that's a big inconvenience for some. The procedure means that you can't lift your pacemaker arm above shoulder height for 6 weeks minimum. So best wearing Button up blouses. And I think there's some restrictions on lifting as well. The other problem is sleeping on that arm for upto 6 weeks can be uncomfortable. So a decent V pillow to prop you up will help. You should have a follow up check with your pacing team I think it's 3 months after the procedure. Just keep an eye on any swelling of your arm or wrist and fingers on the pacemaker arm. You shouldn't have any problems but I ended up with a blood clot in my shoulder so had to go on blood thinners for 2 weeks to solve the problem...Hope this information all helps you. Brian

[Lurchergirl in reply to Bingo88]

Thanks Brian, that all helped a lot. I have Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation so these episodes come and go and I have 3 second pauses when going back into normal rhythm so go dizzy and have fainted twice, a very strange sensation and no control over it. I am on Beta Blockers and a Blood thinner but I do wonder if the BB do more to make it happen than stopping it but the GP`s won`t have it.

Thanks once again Brian

[bluemoon572 in reply to Lurchergirl]

I had to reduce the dose of my beta blockers(taken to reduce PVCs&PACs) because after the usual post ectopic compensatory pauses and post ectopic depression of my SA node,I'd go into a nodal escape rhythm in the 40's which made me lightheaded. By reducing my dose from 50mgs daily to 25,I've eliminated these prolonged pauses.

[Lurchergirl in reply to bluemoon572]

Hi Thanks for your reply, not sure I understand all that but I think I get the general gist.

[Alixia in reply to Lurchergirl]

I did not get along with the beta blocker bisoprolol due to light headedness, and I asked to be taken off of it. I ended up having an ablation for my AF which has worked so far.

[Lurchergirl in reply to Alixia]

Thanks for your response to my post, I am on Metoprolol and really think they make my Paroxysmal AF worse but the Doctors won`t agree. I`m on the waiting list for a Pacemaker but that`s been cancelled twice already.

Thanks once again

[readyabout]

I was due a pacemaker, 2 lead version, and enquired of my private cardiologist what the private cost might be, I was advised that the pacemaker was about £6,500, and then the cost of operating team etc on top of that. I opted for NHS, and had no delays and offers of cancellation space, you could always chase up, and also go on cancellation list. It is done under local anathesiic (sorry spelling)

[Lurchergirl in reply to readyabout]

Hi Thank you for responding to my post, I`m sure that seems to be the going rate plus all the other additional charges, I shall stay on the waiting list of the NHS, the procedure has been cancelled twice but you then go back on the list at our local hospital. I keep thinking I`ll chase them up and see if they have a date yet. I`m not sure they could give me a cancellation as I`m on blood thinners and I have to stop taking them a few days before the procedure. I am due a 2 lead version as well.

Thank you