Mother

IT MIGHT HELP

by jessie - 2017-01-31 06:36:03

I AM GETTING ONE ON THE 13TH. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WILL GIVE ME QUALITY OF LIFE IF I WANTED IT. IF I HAVE ANY ARRYTHMIAS I WOULD NOT SUFFER LIKE WITHOUT IT. I WILL HAVE BOTH SIDES PACED AND THREE LEADS WHICH WILL HELP WITH ENERGY OF WHICH I DO NOT HAVE NOW. I REQUESTED THIS DEVICE AND WAS APPROVED AT ONCE. ASK HER IF YOU CAN SPEAK WITH HER DR. IT MIGHT BE OF SOME HELP JESSIE

Too many other things

by Sup TJ - 2017-01-31 11:05:58

Thank you for your comment Jessie and good luck on your surgery! I live several hours away and my brother and sister are taking care of her medical needs. The hardest thing she will have to face is not being able to go home after the surgery. She is in a nursing home and she thinks that this surgery will allow her to go back home and give her freedom again. This is just 1 of many health problems she has and will never be able to live independently again. It's sad, but it is part of the circle of life. My lettng her believe that this surgery is the cure and she will be able to live at home again. I am too straight forward and struggle with what I consider not telling her the truth.

tough decisions

by Cabg Patch - 2017-01-31 15:12:09

A CRT-D is basically a special pacemaker that will pace both of her ventricles synchronously (together) That in many cases will in fact help improve her quality of life. The device is also a defibrillator (the D in CRT-D) which you probably know is used if her heart starts beating so fast it's no longer pumping but just quivering which leads to sudden cardiac arrest within seconds and death in minutes.

The Protocol for a defibrillator implies that her heart is function at or below 30% output (called an ejection fraction). What you referenced as her ventricle no longer working. Fact is were that true she could not survive. 

Fact is there is no guarantee this will help her, however under the right circumstances it can make a world of difference. While a long shot it is even possible she could come home. I don't want to mislead you, my CRT-D hasn't helped so I know it's not a guarantee.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Best for Mom

by Gotrhythm - 2017-02-01 14:04:08

I understans that you want to do what is truly in your mother's best interests. It seems like you are asking, given your mother's precarious health, what are the risks versus the benefits of implanting a CRT-D? That's really a question to put to her doctors, and if you don't get a satisfactory answer, you might want to ask for a second opinion.

Check out this very short Youtube video so that you will have a clearer idea of what a CRT-D is and what it will do. Knowledge is power. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAGno7PZaQs

More Truth

by Grateful Heart - 2017-02-01 17:45:09

Like Patch said, there are no guarantees, but under the right circumstances.....

I don't want to be misleading either but I have to give you another view... where a CRT-D did help. 

I was diagnosed with CHF, Sick Sinus Syndrome (SSS), Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB) and an EF (output) of 24%.  After my CRT-D implant my EF went to 55%...close to normal for an EF and my heart is no longer enlarged. 

A CRT has been known to help patients with LBBB in particular.  

I am very straight forward too, so not to contradict but I had to tell you my experience as well.....that's what we do here.  I wish that everyone with a PM or CRT would have a great outcome. 

Grateful Heart

Too Focused?

by BillH - 2017-02-01 22:22:01

The cardilogist is probably right in that it will help her heart function better. But the question that you are asking is will it help her life?

This is something to talk to here family doctor and whoever is treating her dementia.