Picked up my ICD yesterday

Two months ago I had my every-other-year cardiac exam (stress-echo, EKG, Halter, and other stuff involving goopy things stuck to my chest). That led to a 48 hour Halter test, an ElectroPhysiology exam, and then 3 weeks on a cardiac event monitor (an impressively bad system, by the way). After the EP exam my Doctor said it was time to get an ICD because my conduction was too slow.

That led to two weeks of psychosomatic "I'm about to pass out" episodes, concerns about having the defibrillator implanted (I need the pacemaker, the need for the ICD is less clear, and my father got "treated" a few times by a malfunctioning ICD). I opted for the ICD because it would probably be stupid not to get it.

Finally, I showed up at the hospital at 6:30 Thursday morning, got prepped, enjoyed an almost blissful 80 minutes of "barely awake" anesthesia, and hung out in the "short stay" ward for "23 hours (great hospitality, but they keep waking you up at night), Everything checked out perfectly this morning (despite my 2 AM, "What if they forgot to turn it on", panicky thought). The Medtronic rep tested the device this morning and gave me some technical info (I'm an engineer). The Dr. took one good look at my chest X-Ray to see if the leads and lungs were OK, and cleared me to go home.

Now I'm not allowed to raise my left arm above shoulder level for a week and I have to change the dressing every day (mostly to be sure there's no sign of infection). I feel fine (I even walked down and got my hair cut this afternoon), although I know I still have to adjust to life with this lump in my chest.

Honestly, having a pacemaker was not something I've wanted (I'd have opted for a root canal), but it's better than the alternative. I've earned the opportunity due to cardiac indications (real and potential) related to Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy.

I just thought I'd relate my experience in case it helps someone else embarking down this path.

3 Comments

Thanks A.S.

by greenwoodrookie - 2013-04-20 01:04:10

Waiting to see what happened didn't seem like a great idea, although it was a bit tempting.

Me - mechanical be training, software in practice

by greenwoodrookie - 2013-04-20 04:04:59

Donr,

I'm a mechanical engineer by training and now write software (and manage a development team). I've worked on early-stage medical device software at times.

I forgot to say that my cardiologist recommended against testing the ICD when he put it in. He said the tests almost always succeed and there is a chance of dislodging a clot during the test, so the risks and benefits of the test are probably about equal, if that. I told him to use his judgement - if he decided it should tested, then go ahead. He didn't do a test.

What kind of...

by donr - 2013-04-20 10:04:17

...engineer? Electrical, mechanical, civil, uncivil?

Don

You know you're wired when...

Muggers want your ICD, not your wallet.

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