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Stressed
Well Now its been 3weeks sence I gor my 3rd cardio version
"Shocked" Had my Dr follow up visit 2 days ago, Damit still out of rythm.
Now doc wants to put a ICD defibrillator <,>.,:";'; I don;t like that
he said they will deaden my electrial conections going from the uper to the lower part of my heart, that scares the crap out of me now I will be dependant on the device completely, [dobo R re goto mr reboto] I don't like that . I an out of rythm I was on quinine for leg cramps, only to learn quinine will throw you back out of rythm again ?? so my questions are , what other choices do I have besides an ICD ? I told my Dr. about the quinine and he did not even respond to my statement. I am 53 years young and I think there must be another way . I am tired all the time ,shortness of breath when I walk work or stress about anything , now over weight because I can't walk anymore
I just want my life back HELP ME PLEASE
4 Comments
ditto...and
by painthorse - 2010-02-27 09:02:45
I struggled with so many drugs for so long because I would not let my doc put in the pacer. After my liver had had enough and my heart was getting weaker and more damaged, my doctor gently told me I had run out of choices. I cried....went into denial and then relented. About the third day or so, I began to feel like the calendar was going backwards. I began feeling stronger, better, and wondering if I was dreaming! I told him on my first check up that if I had had any idea that this little pink bunny was going to make that much difference I would have done it years before and maybe saved my liver and who knows what from the effects of some of the drugs I was on. As months went by, He told me that it appears that my heart has even been able to heal itself somewhat and my ejection fraction is almost as good as an athlete. It is scary...but I will be hoping you will find peace and strength.
pat
Me Too!!
by janetinak - 2010-02-27 10:02:39
I put up with severe/constant Afib with all the resulting SOB/fatigue, etc. Tried all the meds available then & every new one that came out & had about 5 cardioversions until my cardio said option was AV node ablation & PM or live with it & keep trying new drugs. After 2 yrs had enough so did it. That was in late 2000 & like the two above comments I couldn't believe how good I felt & it has only gotten better. I have an Ejection Fraction of 65 & EP states that is a teenagers heart. And I was 68 when that test done. I just hope that you have help in making this decision (2nd opinion as above) & then you have as great a result as I did.
Will be thinking about you.
Janet
i'm one
by Joleea3 - 2010-03-02 10:03:46
I have a pacemaker and defib. I am dependent on them. I have been doing great after a years time has gone by. yes I get scared but I know anyone would be. I have panic attacks but got on meds that helps that situation. I hope you do feel better and know your not alone in this disease.
You know you're wired when...
Your license plate reads Pacer4Life.
Member Quotes
As for my pacemaker (almost 7 years old) I like to think of it in the terms of the old Timex commercial - takes a licking and keeps on ticking.
options
by Tracey_E - 2010-02-27 03:02:38
If you're not convinced it's the right thing to do, go get another opinion. I'm no doctor but I'll throw out my opinion. :o) If medications aren't helping and you've had three cardioversions already, there are really no other options other than continuing to not feel good and getting more cardioversions next time it happens. I know, not what you want to hear! No one wants an ablation or icd, but they can offer a new lease on life for a lot of people. Not feeling good is annoying but if you get into a dangerous rhythm, you can die. Talk about annoying.
I have different problems but have been dependent on a pm since I was 27. Dependent, meaning if you turn it off I would not last very long and I use it for every beat I take. Not everyone is dependent, you may not be depending on what they part they ablate to prevent the rhythms. I'm 43 now and live a full active life. Most people don't even know I have it, they don't see a heart patient when they look at me. We're all too young for a pacemaker/icd, but we're also too young to not feel good and we're way too young to die. I focus on how good I feel and don't give the "how" a lot of thought. It's just a part of me, a part that allows me to lead a normal life.
It can take some time to wrap your head around it, but the surgery is not that bad, recovery is fairly fast, and there are very few restrictions living with it. It's not as scary as it seems when they first tell you you need it! If you have questions, please don't hesitate to ask.