Ventricular. Tachycardia/ ICD restrictions

Lots of stuff here

by AgentX86 - 2021-08-16 19:46:31

First, please fill out your profile. So many questions are geography specific that it's impossible to give any sort of difinitive without some clues.

As I read your post, iit seems that your biggest question is, can you drive with an ICD? Generally, in the US, anyway, you can drive as long as your condition is "stable", whatever that means. Practicly, it's your doctor's call. There are state to state differences but it comes down to your doctor. Follow his instructions or you open youself and your family to a possible ruining liability situation, which your insurance company could walk away from.

Two years ago I couldn't drive for six months because of a siezure. Right now, I haven't been allowed to drive for a month (at least a month, perhsps two, to go) because of a broken arm. Then again, I have nothing to drive because some fool forgot to stop at a 4-way. My wife has to take me to work (when I can't work from home), to the frequent doctor's appointments, and to the even more frequent PT appointments.  All about a half-hour from home and a half hour from each other. Fifteen years ago, my wife went into a diabetic shock (first clue that she was diabetic) at work and couldn't drive for six months. It really sucks but you're not alone.

Yes, Flec is an antiarrhythmic, until it isn't.  Then it becomes proarrhythmic. It's a well known side effect and will happen to most if it's taken long enough. It's certainly common enough that you should have been warned about the possibility.

FitBits and other similar devices are useless for those of us with arrhythmias, particularly Afib.  However, your fingers and a watch aren't. Always take your HR manually if you suspect anything. A Kardia Mobile is a useful tool but you have a pacemaker which covers most of those bases (your PM won't give you any information and your pacemaker can only report it after it's happened.

Vtach is very serious but the good news, if there is any, is that your arteries are clear (forgot about that three months without a license).

Ventricular. Tachycardia/ ICD restrictions

by Graybear - 2021-08-18 11:52:32

Thank you still new to all this I only received my pacemaker in June of 2020.

Flecainide

by Selwyn - 2021-08-19 20:00:45

Sorry to hear of your difficulties, you are obviously between a rock and a hard place. 

I took Flecainide for some years for atrial fibrillation prevention. Yes, it does cause heart arrhythmias, though is an anti-arrhythmic medication.  In my case, it caused atrial flutter. I had a flutter ablation in order to continue with the Flecainide, as I am intolerant of beta-blockers. It can cause ventricular tachycardia. I don't think you should be taking Flecainide given your VT ( ventricular tachycardia) history- as you realise this can be life threatening. 

Flecainide is contra indicated with any structual heart disease. This would include cardiac sarcoid. 

I would suggest now would be a good time for you and your cardiologist to re-evaluate your medication. Never stop meds yourself without consulting your physician. 

Just had the drivers license discussion with my doctor...

by BOBTHOM - 2021-08-22 01:37:24

My ICD discharged in July and that was one of the first things the electro physiologist said to me, that they could pull my drivers license if my arthymias were not controled.  Of course that led to the discussion of number of shocks recorded versus number of events and realistically it was a strong arm tactic to get me to increase my dose of Amiodarone.  I know in North Carolina, if you have a commercial drivers license they would suspend it and it gets tracked.  For regular licenses I'm not sure there is a real process for it, but, if something were to happen and the insurance (or police report) indicated that you were under doctors orders not to drive any damage would be your personal responsiblity.  In my mind, not worth the risk especially with the availability of Uber these days.  Good luck with your condition, hope you get it straightened out, and remember not to push yourself so hard, your not as young (and healthy) as you used to be!