Most Recent Messages in ICDs

Lower blood pressure after ICD implant

Has anyone experienced a lowering of blood pressure after having an ICD implanted.  I have a bi-venticular pacemaker/defib for cardiomyopathy probably inherited.  I have had to decrease my COzaar (ARB) by half since the implant, but have remained on the same amout of Coreg (beta blocker).  My resting heart rate is always around low 60s since the implant.  I have feelings of blood pressure dropping occasionally, cut not daily.  Has an implant lowered anyone else's...

Read More...

Dentist For ICD

Hi everyone. Just got my second icd (battery change) about 2 months ago. The first one was great, hardly ever felt it. This one is just under the skin, very visible battery and leads etc. I am trying to keep my morale high, and tolerate the pain as well, hopefully it will get better in time(that is what doctors are saying atm)

in any case, I need to go to the dentist for a filling or possibly root canal asap. Most of the previous posts I have found are related to pacemakers. Are th...

Read More...

CRT-D removed ?

Can a person have a pacemaker removed?  I’ve had it for 2 years after I refused for a year. Doctors convinced me into getting it. I’m trying to go back to work and I think it will prevent me from getting my job back. My EF is 10 for 2 years now. I go to the gym everyday, cardio with some weight training. I actually feel really great!  

Read More...

ICD/Pacemaker

I just joined!  I got my ICD last summer 2017 and this summer got an ICD/pacemaker becuase I have heart failure, afib and an irregular heart beat. I just had 4-5 taps/thumps to my ICD/pacemaker.  It didn't hurt, but I did notice it.  What was it?  Anyone have the same think?

Read More...

Boat mechanic

Hi I just got my icd on 10/11/18. I am a boat and small engines mechanic. I’m wondering if I’m going to have to find a new profession. I love what I do so I’m a little worried. Just wondering if other members have the same job - thanks in advance Aaron 

Read More...

Flying with an ICD?

Am flying to Atlanta this Friday. First time flying with my ICD. 
A little nervous about airport security - any advice? 

Thanks! 

Read More...

ICD/CRT-D: Inappropriate shocks

  • by BarbD
  • 2018-10-02 17:35:20
  • ICDs
  • 2147 views
  • 13 comments

Does anyone know the real statistics on how many people get inappropriate shocks from their ICD/CRT-D?   I’ve been reading a LOT of stories on here where people are getting multiple inappropriate shocks and the idea of that is just terrifying to me.  Is there anything I can do or should ask about in order to minimize this risk?  I’ve read something about SmartShock Technology – does anyone have any experience with this? Do all CRT-D devices have this tech...

Read More...

I am new here and would like to share experience and inspire (and be inspired) other people with ICD

Hi Everyone

I am 49yold and I am passionate about running. I started only 5 years ago, but it became part of my daily life. I was able to run Berlin Marathon in 2h58 and NY Marathon in 3h'03 min in November last year. Unfortunately I had a severe Vemtricular Tacquicardia in January this year (my heart went up to 280bpm..after an interval triaining run), followed by an ablation in April which ended up with a Tampane (hemorragy) and consequent 8 tacquicar...

Read More...

Teaching Hospitals and CRT-D Implant

  • by BarbD
  • 2018-10-02 10:05:10
  • ICDs
  • 1614 views
  • 5 comments

I am currently going to a teaching hospital in Boston where my EP practices.  We are discussing implanting a CRT-D, and when I asked him if he’d be doing the surgery/procedure he just said “me and my assistant/fellow”. I asked whether he’d be at least doing the lead placement and he repeated me and my assistant would be doing it.  He saw that I was a bit uncomfortable with this and just said he’d be there the whole time overseeing everything.

He s...

Read More...

Pain

I have had constant pain since implantation that feels like I have a Nail lodgged in the muscle but that's not where it stops if only it were. At random points in time the site feels as if the nail was now funneling electricity from a Tenns unit into the area or it feels as if someone has struck said phantom nail hard enough to remind me the area is painful.

The first level of this pain has been so constant now that I can ignore it basicly blocking it out till it reminds me of...

Read More...

ICD battery life....

There have been alot of questions regarding how much battery life gets drained when an ICD fires.  Well, my experience with my Medtronic ICD:  In Feb 2018 battery life was 11.1 years.  On Sept 4th, 7 months later, it fired 5 times and now the battery life is 10.5 years.   So, the answer is it doesn't use much when it fires, but heck it sure feels like it does!   Hope this helps ease the mind of those who were wondering. 

Read More...

Pacemaker- A BOON TURNING INTO CURSE ?

I am a prospective candidate for Pacemaker as per my cardiologist, though I do not have any symptoms and leading peaceful retired life at 74 age.  Looking at a few posts, the following doubts cropped up. 

Q1:- Are there any cases where PM might cause hindrance to a peaceful death process for the patient on the deathbed?

Q2:- If it turns out to be an obstacle to a natural death for the patient, does USA law allows the deactivation of the device?  

Thanks

...

Read More...

New to the Club

I am scheduled to have my ICD implanted on 15 October. All of this is very new to me and overwhelming. The closer I get to my surgery date, I'm getting more anxious. I have a great medical team who determined this is the best treatment for me given my medical history.  What are some of the common and uncommon things I can expect during my 6 week recovery?

Read More...

Different Models of CRT-D Devices

  • by BarbD
  • 2018-09-20 14:02:11
  • ICDs
  • 2217 views
  • 9 comments

How does the EP doctor decide which CRT-D device to use on a particular patient?  It looks like there are several manufacturers (Medtronic, Boston Scientific, St. Jude, ...?) and each manufacturer makes several models.  How do you know which one if the best one for you?  Are there specific ones that are better than others, or with better features I should be looking into?  Sorry - kind of overwhelmed here and trying to do some research.

Read More...

Warm flush sensation while driving

Hi, I am 2 months post ICD surgery. Today while driving I suddenly felt a warm flush sensation in the middle of my chest...my head started to feel woozy...and to keep from feeling like I was going to pass out/lose control of the vehicle...I started breathing heavily in and out to get me through. Has anyone ever experienced this before? Could it be related to the ICD? Or perhaps this is something I need to talk about with my family doctor?

Read More...

CRT-D: New and out of my mind with anxiety

  • by BarbD
  • 2018-09-17 14:15:27
  • ICDs
  • 1714 views
  • 14 comments

I have cardiomyopathy with an EF of 35, and I wore a Zio patch for 2 weeks to evaluate palpitations.  The patch showed short runs of VT so it was recommended that I seean EP doctor.  Well I met with the EP doctor the other day, and he “offered” me the option of getting a CRT-D device.   I did some reading over the weekend and read about lots of different complications you can have from this surgery (stroke, heart attack, lead perforations/dislodgements/failures...

Read More...

Low Cholesterol level after ICD firing?

I know it's a long shot, but does anyone know if being zapped by your ICD would drop your cholesterol levels?  Or maybe if amiodarone would drop the levels.  I'm looking at my test results after my shock storm and total cholesteral is combined 119, with ldl and hdl 59 and 60.  Triglicerides are normal though.   Just wondering if anyone had experienced this while I wait to have another test done after Hurricane Florence moves out of here. 

Read More...

ICD implant

ROBO. I hardly think I would be on this forum if I had died. Stupid remark.

Read More...

ICD implant

When admitted to hospital I was MORIBUND, dead,. I was on life support, therfore unable to authorise anything. My next of kin were not notified. It was implanted to make some doctor feel good about himself.

Read More...

ICD beeps while out of country

  • by Cody7
  • 2018-09-09 14:27:22
  • ICDs
  • 1336 views
  • 4 comments

Hello all, I have a Medtronic ICD I got 2 years ago and I’ve never had an arrhythmia, or a shock. I just arrived in Bologna, Italy which I was super excited for as it’s my first time out of country, so of course on my first day my ICD beeps for the first time ever. I called my DR and couldn’t really understand him that clearly. He said it probably was nothing but could be a bad lead or something about voltage but we needed to query the device, although he said it could wait...

Read More...

You know you're wired when...

Your ICD has a better memory than you.

Member Quotes

I can bike a 40-50 tour with no trouble.