Noise

After years of no problems went in for a checkup and had two noise incidents recorded. Now I am scheduled for wire replacement. When I first went through the implant surgery recovery process I had the support of my wife at the time (now divorced) Looking for ways to keep the blues away during recovery this time around. Not sure how to do this.

3 Comments

Keeping Blues Away

by Pandysbuddy - 2013-04-20 05:04:23

Do you enjoy watching sports, movies, special TV shows? Do you enjoy reading? Plan on choosing what you will read, watch, etc.ahead of time.... It helps to get away from your own sad thoughts by getting involved in a good mystery novel etc. Good Luck and know that you are not alone as long as you have all of us! Carol

Support is tricky

by donr - 2013-04-20 09:04:08

Very profound observation. This is not something that can be easily faced alone.

You gave most of the answer in your comment to erin a few days ago - write to us.

The rest of the answer is for you to recognize that IF ALL GOES WELL, you should NOT be feeling as much of the emotional upheaval & uncertainty of the first procedure. It will all be known devils to you this time & you will only have to face the unknowns of recovery from being cut open - sorta like recovering from being involved as the loser in a knife fight! (How's that for a cheery thought?)

Another issue you will not have to face is that unless your ICD performs a PM function regularly & frequently, the unknowns of what it feels like to be paced as a brand new experience will not be there.

You write like you have recovered from the anxiety/stress of having the ICD planted - you should not have to face that again - but you did not say whether or not they were replacing the ICD along w/ the lead extraction. I went through a lead replacement at about the 4 yr point, also & they did NOT replace the PM - I had to wait & let its battery croak about 3 yrs later before they went in & did that. What is the battery life expectancy for your device? If it is relatively short, you might ask that they replace it NOW to save you another surgery in a year or two.

You are a relatively young man (roughly 40) & face many replacements over a lifespan that takes you to your 70's or 80's.

You said you face a lead exchange. BUT - you have not asked the usual questions from those facing an exchange.

Where are you getting it done?

How are they doing it? W/ the laser "Roto-rooter"?

Who is doing it?

How experienced are they?

How long have the leads been in you? (Since 2009?)

Just remember your own words to erin!!!!! write to us for support. that's why we are here.

Don

support

by Tracey_E - 2013-04-20 11:04:15

Recovery the first time is the worst, replacements and even new leads are much easier than the first implant both emotionally and physically. Ditto Don's questions, can they add to what they have, if not are they moving to the other side or extracting? I had a new lead a few years ago, they were able to put it with my old leads so the surgery was pretty simple.

Vent with us when you need to, you are not alone. Do you have a friend or family member who can go to the hospital with you? Church? Most of us underestimate the number of people around us that we can depend on.

You know you're wired when...

You play MP3 files on your pacer.

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