New Member and CRT-D Implantee

You said it...

by AgentX86 - 2018-09-22 23:21:07

"I'm the type of guy that attacks problems head on and believes there are solutions to everything."

The solution is your pacemaker.  You're fortunate, live (well) with it. The vast majority do.

Questions

by BarbD - 2018-09-23 09:42:59

JMAN1976 - I have been told I need a CRT-D as well.  Could you tell me how the implant surgery was and how recovery is going?  What kind of restrictions do you have?  Do you feel the device pacing your heart?  Currently my biggest problem is mental as well.  I'm really worried about surgery risks as well as unnecessary shocks afterwards.

This is for BarbD AND the OP!

by donr - 2018-09-23 12:21:54

Napoleon Bonaparte said it in about 1798 in one of his famous "Maxiums of War,"  And it applies to our cardiac issues.  Take heed! "In battle, the mental is to the physical as three is to one!" Generals Stonewall Jackson & George Patton updated it - "Never take counsel of your fears!" 

You both already know tthat - you have written it in a more convoluted way.  Now go out and do it.  Does it matter what the risks are?  All the mental machinations in the world will not make them less.  All you can do is minimize them. - but first you must know them.  Ignoring them will not make them go away. 

Accepting fear and conquering it are more difficult than than  having the procedures done. 

Every one of us in here has gone through this phase of PM issues - some of us have had it worse than others. 

Ask questions - but when the same question , asked twice, generates the same answer, accept it and go on - it's probably the correct answer.

Donr

We've all been there

by Grateful Heart - 2018-09-23 20:17:12

At age 50 I was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy, LBBB, EF of 24% and SSS.  I thought I was doomed.  6 months later I got my CRT-D with little knowledge about it.  I didn't know about this site then....that was 10 years ago.

I was afraid to move or turn quickly....I didn't know if that would set my defibrillator off....but I knew I had to take control.  After some research, I asked my Cardio if I could go to Cardiac Rehab and thankfully he agreed.  You are monitored by nurses while you exercise.  So I exercised as hard as I could.  My thinking was if something was going to happen, that was the place to be....surrounded by nurses and a crash cart.  3X a week for months.  Nothing bad happened BUT...I learned to trust my device and have been going to a gym 3 - 4 times a week ever since.

Learn all you can about your device and condition, then you can educate your family and friends and ease their mind as well.  Then attitude and acceptance will come.    

My heart is no longer enlarged and my EF has been 55% for years now.  Not everyone sees improvement but some do and Cardiac Rehab was well worth it.

You'll be ok....this too shall pass.  We're here for you.

Grateful Heart

Yup....

by BOBTHOM - 2018-09-23 21:09:46

We've all gone through the same thing.  The initial shock of finding out how bad the issues are, the wondering if/how we'll survive, the what can I do to make it better, the research, the feeling that those around you don't understand, the not wanting to scare your loved ones so you act brave when you really need some help and reassurrance yourself.  Yup, we've all been through that.  I too was a type A, and as much as I like to think I'm not now, parts of me still are, I just take a little longer and move a little slower.   The best place to begin for me was to understand my specifics.  Then it was researching what therapies are available.  And finally , acceptance.   What's that saying about changing the things you can, accepting the things you can't, and the wisdom to know the difference.   Good luck with your journey, I hope it's a long one!!!   Lots of supportive people on this site with a wide array of experience. I've found it very helpful and try to give back by coming fairly regularly and adding my experience in the hopes it will benefit someone else out there, hope you do too.

Thanks

by Jman1976 - 2018-09-24 14:25:47

Just want to say thank you for all the responses. It was my wife's idea to find a support group/ forum like this. As ususal, she was right. I'm going to start walking today. I know my mind will get right. Thanks again!!

decision

by ROBO Pop - 2018-09-24 16:46:55

You have to decide whether you continue down the path you're on and wallow in misery or make the most and enjoy life.

Recognize your Cardiologist repaired your heart and gave you the opportunity to live it. This ain't a death sentence, just a new path on your journey.

If I listed all that's wrong with my heart you'd get tired of reading and yet here it is almost 12 years after my world crashed and I'm still here.

So get out and savor your family or sit around and feel sorry for yourself. You really aren't living anyway if all you do is worry about dying. 

“You really aren't living anyway if all you do is worry about dying”

by Electric Elise - 2018-09-24 21:48:48

ROBO Pop really hit the nail on the head with those wise words.

Jman, it’s so great that you decided to join this community, welcome among folk who genuinely “get it”! Let us know how things are going, whenever you feel like it!