Pebble in the shoe girl LOL

Hello everyone. This website is great.  You all have a way of making everyone feel better about what they are going through. I decided after finding this website that I needed a 2nd opinion. The EP that my cardio sent me to was so negative about everything.  She didn’t explain very much to me. She told me to come in and we will put this ICD in. After one week we will check it then we will see you once a year.  She also told me she could not put the ICD in the pectoral muscle. I’m going to see a cardio in my home town. I have an appointment on Monday, February 21st.  While I’m waiting for my appt., I’m reading this site every day as I have learned a lot for someone that doesn’t even have it yet, I’ll let you know Monday what is going on.  Again, thanks soooo much.  Susan

3 Comments

Please....

by donr - 2011-02-16 09:02:36

...Find a different EP. As cold and impersonal as this one sounds, you are going to have nothing but trouble we/ her.

Read the number of folks who have cardios/EP's who don't explain/answer/even encourage questions. You don't want that!

God luck.

Don

I agree with donr...

by Pookie - 2011-02-16 10:02:18

when it comes to having surgery (of any kind) and then having to maintain a "relationship" with this person, you have to feel comfortable with them from the very beginning. If your guts, head, or heart are telling you to seek another opinion....go for it!!!!!!!

and you are a smart cookie by educating yourself prior to getting any kind of heart device...knowledge is power.

there are so many members here that have such a terrible relationship with their doctors - no fault of their own - it's just that some doctors don't like to spend time actually discussing or talking to their patients with concerns the patient may have after their surgery.....(when we need them the most!!!!)

to me it's like going into business with someone - you had better get along from the very start.

I'm sure you know what you are doing and I wish you all the best. Keep us posted and don't be shy with any questions you may have.

good luck on the 21st.

Pookie

Pebble

by supergas - 2011-02-19 05:02:19

Ditto. Would get another opinion and when you get there, make sure he/she knows that you're there because the first EP didn't take the time to clarify things or do a good job answering your questions. That should set the stage to have a more fruitful visit.

You're probably getting the ICD for "prophylactic" reasons, meaning that your heart's pumping function (ejection fraction) is poor (below 35%). We believe there is a significant risk of future cardiac arrest among pts. with EF<35, therefore, the ICD is implanted to save your life in the event of an otherwise lethal arrhythmia. Medtronic, St Jude or Boston-Scientific are all equivalent but the Boston device has a slimmer (flatter) profile that might be best. Pts who have thin body habitus might benefit from a subpectoral implant because it may not be as visible as the usual subcutaneous implant but they are harder to deal with at the time of generator replacement (5-7 years)

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Do feel free to contact the manufacturer of your device. I have found them to be quite helpful when I have had questions and concerns.