ICD shock

Hi all. 

I had a shock this morning and had to go to hospital. Thing is I have a 2 week old baby and now I am frightened to hold him incase it goes off again whilst I am holding him. 

I really don't know what to do or who to talk to about it. 

I can't go on just looking at my baby and worrying about not wanting to hold him. 

Any advice would be much appreciated. 

3 Comments

Don't worry about it

by Protimenow - 2020-07-06 22:05:18

An ICD has leads that attach to your heart. If they need to give your heart a shock, it's through the fine wires, and just strong enough to restart your heart. 

This is nothing like the defibrillators that they show on the medical shows -- if it was, your ICD would fire one time, then need to be replaced because the battery was worn out. 

It's a tiny electric pulse. Not having an ICD, I don't know if you'll feel it or not - except that you may feel your heart start back up. 

Enjoy your baby. Don't worry about the ICD. 

Oh, and congratulations.

Please seek reassurance

by Gemita - 2020-07-07 06:02:12

Hello Orange1405,

I would imagine the real danger would come from the possibility of you dropping the little one when "standing" in the event of receiving a shock, rather than your ICD directly hurting your baby.  I would get used to cuddling your baby in bed or on the sofa and leaving the holding of your baby to Mummy for the moment.  In this way no harm can come to the baby.

I believe the ICD shock you feel so profoundly is not transmitted to baby in any way as to cause any harm or discomfort.  Clearly you need reassurance and strategies to deal with this, so please speak to your general doctor who can refer you to a team of professionals who can help.

We all want you to enjoy the little one and for both of you to stay safe.  Please seek support and talk about your fears to those who would best understand.  I would also suggest that you speak to your pacing team about your ICD shocks if these are becoming more frequent

 

 

 

ICD shocks

by islandgirl - 2020-07-07 20:59:11

I had 4 shocks in mid Dec and it saved my life, the first shocks since I had it implanted after a sudden cardiac arrest in July 2016.  I was in the hospital a couple of days and the dr. did make some adjustments.  I went quickly into vtach, to vfib, to asystole with no known reason, again....  After the 4th shock I regained consciousness and had atrial tachycardia until the ER gave me meds, which fixed the tachycardia.  

Did you speak to your EP?  Did he explain the reason for the shock?  Did he make any adjustments?  Change your meds?  Tiem will heal again.......I was told I can expect to be shocked again.  

You know you're wired when...

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