Procedure In the Morning-A little nervous

Can anyone offer any words of encouragement? This is my first posting but I have been reading the post for a few months now. This site has been very confronting but now that my procedure is in the morning I am on edge. I am a 39 year old female with cardiomyopathy and my EF has been between 17-25% for the last year or so and I have a bundle block. I am looking forward to my new life after the ICD is implanted but I have to admit I am scared of the pain because the device will be placed under my muscle which tends to be painful from what I am told. I just want to get the procedure over with so I can start healing and get on with my life. My husband and I have been married for 4 years and dream of having a child/kids and I hope that this procedure will help not only my heart function but support a healthy pregnancy. I know I have said a lot but I really would like to hear words of encouragement from someone who has been in my shoes. Also, I would like to hear what to expect tomorrow. Thank you!

9 Comments

Don't worry

by Lurch - 2014-08-20 08:08:06

I know it is easy to say, but, I was just reading something that said 133,000 people on average have an ICD implanted every year in the US. I think they have this procedure down!!

My ICD is over the muscle, but it really wasn't a big deal! I was up and walking around my room probably 90 minutes after the procedure. Went home the next morning; I only had to stay so they could do an x-ray the following morning to ensure the lead was where they left it. I offered to come back the next morning, but I think they needed the money!

For me it was hurry up and wait....

Several of the folks I have met on this and other forums for ICD's had given birth after implantation.

Please keep us posted and let us know how you are doing.

Welcome

by Grateful Heart - 2014-08-20 09:08:38


It's normal to be nervous but it will be ok.

I was diagnosed with CHF, Cardiomyopathy, EF of 24%, left bundle branch block and SSS. I've had my ICD for 5 years. Within the first year, my EF went to 50% and my heart is no longer enlarged. We are all different but in my case, I know I am very lucky.

As far as the pain, they will give you meds if necessary. Use them in the beginning if you need it, don't try to brave it. I find I stop taking them within a week or so and wean myself off of them quickly. That's just me, I don't like taking them but there are times they are necessary and helpful.

TraceyE should be along soon. If not, you can always send her a private message. She has had her device placed under the muscle and has had babies after PM's.....she does it all!

Just think, tomorrow you will be on the road to recovery.

You'll be fine really, keep us posted.

Grateful Heart

hi!

by Tracey_E - 2014-08-20 10:08:21

My ears were burning :o) I have a different condition than you (congenital complete block) but I had 2 babies post-device, they're 16 and 17 now. College applications and learning to drive have been a lot harder on my heart than pregnancy and delivery ever were! I didn't have any complications, two normal, natural deliveries. I even worked out right up until the week I delivered both times. I was absolutely under no circumstances was I to get pregnant without the pacer.

I have a pm, not an icd, but yes mine is under muscle and I LOVE it!! I barely know it's there. Icd's are a little bigger and we're all built differently so no guarantees it will be invisible but imo under the muscle is the only way to go for younger women. A little bit of extra trouble now but well worth it once it heals.

We all have different pain tolerances but I really didn't think it was that bad. I got a pain prescription but only took it at night after the first couple of days. Tylenol was plenty the rest of the time. It was about 6 weeks until I could bend/twist in any direction without feeling it,but it was more annoying than painful. Now, I never notice it, and I am very active.

Did anyone tell you to take a button up top to the hospital? And skip the bra for a bit. You won't want to be bending and twisting to get anything over your head just yet. I wore tanks with the built in shelf bra with button up tops over.

If you have questions or just want to chat, lemme know! Honestly, the few days before when it gets too easy to start to obsess are the worse, imo. The surgery was a lot easier than I expected and I felt MUCH better than expected. GOOD LUCK!!! Please check in when you can and let us know how it went.

Thanks for the Support!

by shine - 2014-08-21 04:08:21

My husband and I truly thank you all for taking the time to respond. All of the last minute tips were very helpful. I am up at 3:30am getting ready to go to the hospital so I will be sure to give you all an update as soon as I can.
Many many thanks!

Under the muscle

by PeteFindlay - 2014-08-21 08:08:06

I have nothing to compare it with, but under the muscle is nothing to be concerned about. I have had no pain to speak of, including post-op - just ached a bit. That died down over a few weeks. Quite possibly this takes longer than for an over the muscle implant, but for a couple of weeks of aches, once settled you can pretty much forget it's there! It doesn't show, apart from the scar, and it's shielded from the knocks and bumps that others can find troublesome.

I understand it's a bit more involved when it comes to changing the unit, but that seems a small price to pay for the additional freedom.

Hope all goes well.

Pete

Hey, Shine

by Lurch - 2014-08-21 08:08:53

How did it go? Was thinking of you today....

I Survived! Day 1 of my new beginning!

by shine - 2014-08-22 06:08:02

One day after the ICD placement and I am an official member. I am soooo relieved that this first phase is behind me. I can't thank you all enough for those last minute tips because they have all helped. I washed my hair, wore the right shirt, stocked up on cranberry juice and I am keeping ice under my arm. I have to admit that I am in pain and find it hard to get comfortable but I know that I will make it with the love and support of my family and my new pacemaker family.
No matter how much I tried to prepare for the pain it did not help. I will keep you all posted on my progress but I feel my meds kicking in. Talk to you all soon!

Thanks,
Shine

welcome to wired

by Tracey_E - 2014-08-23 04:08:20

Glad it went well! Enjoy your drugs :)

Stella

by Stella - 2014-08-25 12:08:31

I have had my pm for ten months now. I feel like a new woman. I had no energy before. My first cardiologist did not put a monitor on me only listened to my heart and said see you in one year. I was getting worse with no energy and had fallen backwards three times. Could not walk without hitting the walls. So, I changed to another hospital that I had heard about. The first day I was there, his nurse put a 24 hr heart monitor on me. My heart was going down to 30 at night. In the mornings, I was so weak. My new cardiologist had me come in for five straight days for testing. They did not hesitate to put in a PM the next week. I have afib. This is my first time to write since I joined. I really like this site. Very helpful.

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