From pacemaker to Defibrillator

Just had a pacemaker check and was expecting a possible date for battery change.

Instead, I was informed that I may be switched to a defibrillator.

My initial response was a firm NO.

After decades of severe arrhythmias, I had decided a long time ago that having a final cardiac event was likely the only bonus to this electrical problem.

Am I correct in assuming that a defibrillator would prevent a final cardiac event by kick starting a failing heart?

Dont get me wrong, no depression or fear except of stroking from AFib, yes I'm on blood thinners.

When the time comes, I'm just hoping for an easy/quick exit; would hate to deny myself that if it's meant to be.

 

3 Comments

End of Life decisions

by Gemita - 2023-11-03 04:07:56

Bionic Beat, firstly I am sorry your doctors believe that a defibrillator may be necessary to help control your arrhythmias and to help prevent sudden cardiac death. Deactivation of your ICD when the time comes is of course your decision and should your heart fail or you develop a terminal illness, you have a right to slip away with dignity.

Take a look at the following links, which should be copied and pasted into your main browser to open.  They might help you to have those meaningful discussions with your doctors.  There are different ICD functions that can be deactivated like ICD shocks/anti tachycardia pacing functions should you experience dangerous ventricular arrhythmias at end of life when painful shocks would be difficult to bear.

You have raised a very important question and one that needs to be discussed with your family and doctors.  Hopefully that time is not now and you can still have a quality of life to look forward to?  Arrhythmias are miserable and I hope that pacing therapies offered by any ICD device should you decide to accept one, will help you to "better" manage your arrhythmias in the future. 

End of Life and Heart Rhythm Devices

https://www.myrhythmdevice.org/living-with-a-cardiac-device/end-of-life/

https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/icds-and-end-of-life#:~:text=Implantable%20cardioverter%20defibrillators%20save%20lives,to%20have%20a%20peaceful%20death.

I hope for the very best for you Bionic Beat

Ditto

by Penguin - 2023-11-03 04:31:26

I echo Gemita's thoughts in the post above.  Some wise words there.

The problem with decisions like this is that none of us really know how we will feel when something potentially fatal happens and whether or not - at that point - we will feel that our decision was right.  Clearly, it's too late then.

You have the right to choose, but don’t do anything rash until you have all the facts. 

I hope that you get the right guidance to support your decision making.  Don't rush. 

Choices

by piglet22 - 2023-11-03 08:04:45

Your clinicians have looked at your condition and decided on what they think is the best course of action.

But it's not that simple and you are looking at it from personal points of view and not just a purely clinical decision. It's something people go through every day.

It's going to have to be your choice.

Are there other concerns you have? As we get older, our perspectives change.

I think that if I had things I wanted to do, I might want the extra protection of the defibrillator. The use of defibrillation saves countless lives every day.

As Gemita says, you might want to explore the option of having a device where the shock therapy can be disabled.

Good luck whichever way you go.

 

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