Help!

I recently had an S-ICD fitted back in October, only being at the age of 18, soon to turn 19, has anyone ever beein in the same position as me? How did you find it coping going back to work, gym and college? and how did you cope having to loose your driving license for 6 months

Thanks

4 Comments

what is the problem?

by Olena - 2015-01-21 01:01:56

Hi, my doctor recommended to put S-ICD for me. But at this moment I am waiting for a smaller version since I am small woman. I don't understand your problem? S-ICD is under your arm, is it that visible? Why would you worry about returning back to work or gym? I also didn't understand about your drinking license..?

...

by gabscameronxo - 2015-01-21 06:01:35

when mines was first implanted it was abit noticeable due to my minor swelling which was as my doctor said, normal, but not noticable unless i wear my swimming costume which shows my 2 scars off, I was told to be off work gym and college for 3 months because i had a cardiac arrest which is why my sicd was fitted so i had to rebuild my strength back up and my confidence also got majorly knocked, even something as simple as the 2 minute walk to the shop at the top of my street was a struggle and took 10 mins and i also worried constantly incase anything happened, I also didn't want my mum away from my side incase anything went wrong and my driving license was taken off me or else i had to pay a £1000 fine for not returning it, I can only get it back if 6 months has elapsed since I first had my sicd fitted but i hadn't recieved shock therapy but if I do recieve shock therapy between now and april, I need to wait a further 2 years shock therapy free until I can get my license back.

yes it's difficult

by Olena - 2015-01-23 09:01:14

Hi, I can understand how you feel. And it is probably not that easy now to with your college and gym. But I am surprised that they told you not to go to the college for three months? I never heard of it.
You just need to give yourself some time, several months to heal physically and emotionally and move on.
About drinking: I do understand that you are young and like to have a drink here and there, but you need to understand that your health is more important. I used to drink to and now I don’t drink much at all, may be once in a while a bottle of light beer or glass of campaign.
I would advise you to start taking some vitamins; I buy them from this web site that I found here: http://www.drrathresearch.org/heart-failure.html (read info here) and I buy from this site: http://shop.drrath.com/collections/frontpage/heart-energy
I don’t know if you can buy them from UK, but try to find similar ingredients. Also, doctors recommend to stay always hydrated which is mean to drink water with a bit sea salt or buy “smart” water that already have some ingredients. (not energy drinks, in fact you shouldn’t drink them at all); Also, if you will work out , before any physical activity you’ll need to hydrate your body well with that kind of water. What doctors say that it can decrease the chance of you to pass out.
Here is another article on S-ICD, this is just for your FYI, I thought it might be interesting for you to read: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/821808
Hope it helps a bit.

It gets better

by mtaylor - 2015-01-30 02:01:55

I had my ICD implanted when I was 19, so I have a good idea of what it's like. My whole experience was fairly serious, but I'm 23 now with what is basically my old life back. (Some stuff has changed, but that's more a traumatic brain injury issue than the icd)

Here is my advice-Stick with it, it gets better. My truck sat alone for about 9 months though my hospitalization and recovery (think of the gas savings!), and I ended up in the worst physical shape of my life, but you bounce back. You are young, all will be kinda-forgotten in a couple years.

You know you're wired when...

You always have something close to your heart.

Member Quotes

Without this little machine, we would not be here.