about to get my first crt-d

Early Tues. a.m. I'm having a CRT-D implanted, and as the time approaches I am getting progressively more anxious. I had a major MI in October 1995 with a 100 percent blockage of the LAD. This significantly damaged the left side of my heart, leaving me with left ventricle that's out of synch with the right. My EF recently slipped to just under 35, and I've been experiencing increased SOB as well as chronic fatigue. I'm concerned about a number of things, including pain during and after surgery, how the implant will affect my physical appearance, and most of all the likelihhod of accidental misfires of def7b component. I'd love to hear from anyone who has personal experiences to share, particularly those that eelate to my concerns. One added note 8n my path to implant has been an increasing number of ins4ances of exreeme dizziness that come on as I'm sitting and arent related to gettning up suddenly from seated or prone position. This is a relatively r3cent phenomenon.

1 Comments

CRT-P

by Many Blessings - 2013-01-06 11:01:54

Hi,

I have a CRT-P, but not D, so I can't help you with that part of it. But, I can help you with the CRT part. I can tell you my EF went up from the high 20's to 45-50 since my CRT-P, so that's a good thing. For me, it did not help anything else, but that's okay, I was warned that right up front.

I had an AV Node ablation. Will you be having that too? If so, you will be 100% paced and 100% dependent. I can tell you, I had a harder time with the pain meds they gave me afterwards, than I did recovering from the procedure/surgery. Pain wise, it was a breeze. I just didn't really have any pain, just weird things from the pain meds which were given to me to help me sleep, not for pain (though I was blaming the symptoms on the PM until I figured out it was the meds.) Oh, and you can't move your left arm too high for a few weeks. That's hard, and you can get a frozen shoulder.

I have a St. Jude, and it is placed right under my skin, not under the muscle. It's smaller than other brands and it's barely visible to tell you the truth. Luckily, my doctor told me to get the smallest CRT-P I could find, since I'm a smaller gal. My sister is a cardiac nurse and was able to bring home "samples" for me to choose from. St. Jude was smaller by quite a bit. My cardio doc said they're all about the same (for what I need it for) so to go for the smallest one. I did, and I'm very happy I had the choice to do that. Plus I love my PM tech! I lucked out!

If you want, you can ask for yours to be placed under the muscle where you can't see it as well, but truly, you cannot see mine unless I'm in certain positions, and even then, you can't tell what it is. Ask to see samples when you're in the office (my EP doc had them too, but I'd already made up my mind.)

I'm a keloid former, so my scar is red and raised. I also have had 2 open heart surgeries, so I'm used to scars. It bothered me in my teens, but now it doesn't at all. I use scar make up during the day, and most people don't even know it's there.

There are things you have to get used to after receiving your PM. It's different for everyone. There are setting issues, recovery, and the whole mental part of it, which most of us aren't warned about prior.

I sure hope this helps some. Keep posting your questions on this site. I know there will be a lot of responses from people who do have CRT-D's. They will be able to help you with the "D" part of it.

Best of luck. You will be in my thoughts and prayers!

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