Most Recent Messages in ICDs

Strong heartbeats after implant

Last week my doctor took out my pacemaker and replaced it with a CRT-D device in order to get me not only the new defibrillator but also to synch up both heart chambers. While doing so has definitely helped, I have noticed something that I did not have before; lots of times I can feel my heart beating like it is going to come out of my chest. Sometimes it is so strong I can actually watch my skin twitch under my left breast area on each beat.

Has anyone else ever experienced this...

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PM EOL and replace with ICD

  • by Vai
  • 2012-02-28 01:02:44
  • ICDs
  • 1581 views
  • 0 comments

Dear friends,

I like your opinion, please.

My PM implanted in 2006 finally reached end-of-life and need to be replaced. However the EP advised 4 points to consider
- my afib condition had progressed from occasional to chronic.
- my underlying HCM condition
- PM used only 17% of the time (AP) for last 2 years
- 1 recorded episode of ventricular tachycardia (or fibrillation?) that lasted less than 6 seconds, in the last 18 months

Based on these...

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defective leads in ST JUDE ICDS

i would just like to make people aware of ST JUDE ICDS that were implanted with faulty leads. in general you should have received a letter if you were implanted with one of these devices. still, to verify you can visit riatacommunications.com to see the list.
i have also noticed that law firms are already preparing for class action suits.

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pain still almost 1 year later.

I have post several times over the year about the pain and weird sensations since my ICD implantation. I have went from the severe pain during and right after the surgery to the pin prick type pain to some very painful nerve like shocky pain but no actual shocks to just plain ole discomfort around the device and some pain around it from time to time. When I went for my check in Sept the EP said it was from the leads moving. I guess he meant in my chest and not in the heart because he would...

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6 weeks and not better

Hi all.  Well I have had my crt-d for 6 weeks...I felt great for the first 3 or 4 weeks...then because of how it was set the defib shocked me 4 times when not necessary.

I went to the doctor and he had the rep reset it...changed 3 settings he said...now the doctor put me on digoxin 250 mg and toprol xl and I can hardly get around.  I checked my blood pressure today, being Saturday, and it was 98/57 and the pulse was 52.  I could hardly stand up.&nbs...

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magnets

Has anyone with a crt-d been able to use a mess screen door with magnets that close it when you go in or out..They fit on any door and close automatically with a line of magnets that click together...It is something new but great for a door and if you have pets or small children they can go in and out and it will close with the magnets....But, would those mess up a pacemaker-defib???I know it says to avoid magnets....I hope someone can tell me .I was getting ready to order one and got to thinkin...

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what does this mean

ICD am new to pacemaker a newbie


thanks
Carolann

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Getting ICD surgery. Need Advice PLEASE!

So I am 17 years old and I have Long QT Syndrome which makes me have a prolonged t wave which has to do with the ionic channels in my heart. It causes arrhthymias which could potentially lead to sudden death. We have tried to manage it through my medication (nadolol) but it seems that i am not responding and cannot get to a high enough dose without being totally drained. So i went to my Dr at the Mayo Clinic and i am having to get an ICD put in on the 21 of this month (feb). I was wanting which...

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Breathing and Energy

With an ICD do you generally feel better? Or do you always need the third lead for improvement?

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Recovery

Update:
Had my ICD implanted yesterday and all went well! Other than being stiff and sore I have no complaints. I just hope that this works! Thanks for all your previous help!
Debera

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How many people really pull out the leads?

Hello all. I have a question about pulling the leads out. How many people has this happened to? I'm just wondering because I had my ICD surgery on the 23rd of January and I'm wondering if the leads really are pretty much healed in there. I know it is a six week waiting time but I'm worried. In fact it seems I will worry til the six weeks pass by. Please let me know any information. Thanks.

Let me add this about myself. before the holidays I started to feel just sick, like I was...

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So tired of being tired

  • by Marty
  • 2012-02-06 04:02:17
  • ICDs
  • 2335 views
  • 8 comments

It's been seven years with heart failure, LBBB, and device implants. After two ICDs, I got a device "upgrade" on December 22, 2011. I now have a Medtronic Protecta XT - aka a CRT-D, with three leads to control my heart instead of two. Placing that third lead through the coronary sinus was scary and more complicated than I expected, but I believed it would be worth it, since I'd read many stories of people doing so much better with full-time resynchronization pacing instead of just the two-lead I...

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can you have one turned off or removed

I had a icd put in jan 9 2012...It is horrible...I was out last night and had danced some which i have done for years..and it shock me 4 times in a row...I do not ever want to go thru that again ...it was horrible you yell out and it hurts so bad like a lightning bolt of electricity...I would rather take my chances....Can it be capped off or can the defib be turned off..it is a boston scientific ICD...I think I would just stay in my home forever if I have to worry about it shocking me again ou...

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Contradictory Results - What's the Explanation?

I had a very puzzling appointment with my cardiologist at Toronto General yesterday. I went for an echo, blood work and cardio-pulmonary. I then met with my cardiologist to review the results and that’s where it got confusing.

My cardio pulmonary results improved dramatically from 6 months prior (which was not surprising since my exercise routine had increased), but the echo demonstrated the my EF had dropped to 20% (I know this is not the best way to measure EF but 6 months earlier...

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Broken Spirit

I'm new to this site; was recommended to join by the cardiac rehab team. They thought it may help with my anxiety. Quite frankly reading through some of the postings increased my anxiety a bit. :0
I was born with Tetrology of Fallot and had it repaired in 1974 at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Had a pretty good life from them on with no issues. Never ever considered my congenital defect as an excuse to prevent me from living my life. But things changed in 2007 when it was discov...

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Anyone set audible warning on?

  • by mrag
  • 2012-01-26 07:01:11
  • ICDs
  • 2029 views
  • 4 comments

My (new) CRT-d from Boston Scientific can be set to issue an audible alarm when the device begins to charge to POSSIBLY give me a shock. Basically it is about a 10 second warning. And the alarm does NOT mean I will definitely get a shock, just that there is an increased likelihood and it is beginning to charge just in case. I understand professional roofers with ICD's like this option and I was thinking it might be good for driving on high speed highways. Anyone have this turned on in their icd?

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Doctors appt tomorrow

I am going tomorrow to schedule a date...Needless to say I am very anxious. I do have a very good doctor

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Solar Storm Effects?

  • by zocks
  • 2012-01-23 10:01:58
  • ICDs
  • 4233 views
  • 11 comments

There's very little information online that I can find... I hope that's a good thing. I want to know if tomorrow's major solar storm will cause any effects on my Boston Scientific ICD?

In fact, I've had the defibrillator function turned off, so it's only acting as a pacer. I am most concerned with the threat of having the defibrillator turn on and get zapped - or just get zapped one way or another due to interference. Should I be concerned?

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pulse change

  • by Alena
  • 2012-01-19 12:01:27
  • ICDs
  • 1458 views
  • 2 comments

I had a Medtronic ICD implanted Oct.3, 2011. I test my oxygen and pulse with a oxymeter everyday. Suddenly two weeks ago my pulse (normally between 97 and 88 has changed to between 52 and 44. I don't feel any different. What could be the reason?

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Thank you Don

  • by Alena
  • 2012-01-19 01:01:05
  • ICDs
  • 1332 views
  • 0 comments

Thank you so very much for your fast response, Don. I feel so much better now. Having an ICD implant is anxiety enough. My oxygen number hasn't changed at all. It's only the pulse that has changed. I just tested again. The oxymeter immediately reads a higher number and then drops after a few seconds, but stays at the lower number until I turn it off and then retest. Your explanation was clear and I could understand what's happening. Thank you....thank you.

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