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Pre- ICD Any Advice?
Hello All,
I am new to this site, but have a feeling that we will be here quite a bit. My husband will be receiving his ICD on August 14th. i am doing last minute panic research online. Any advice, do's don'ts. Things we should ask, things we should know? Just know that it will be a Medtronic, that is it.
Taking baby steps, terrified the whole way.
any info, tips, advice, things to be concerned with would be greatly appreciated.
the wife.
7 Comments
Thank you!
by MWyattWY - 2007-08-12 06:08:41
Cathryn, Kyle and Sharon,
Thank you all so much for your wonderful advice.
you brought forward things that i haven't thought of yet, but would have wished that I had.
Amazing support!
I will check back often to follow up.
in the meantime, I welcome you to visit our story on carepages.com
The carepage name is : ThemWyatts
Thank you again.
with sincere regards.
the wife,
danna
FredL
by FredL - 2007-08-12 08:08:22
I've now had my ICD for exactly 2 years. My need for this device was a little challenging seeing as how my occupation is in the outdoor power equipment business. I have had no problem with continuing to work. The doctor suggested that I work 'smarter' rather than 'harder'. I experienced a short period of time of recovery but really had no problem. Restricting my arm movement was difficult. After recovery, I have not experienced any activity from my ICD. I recognize the possibility of experiencing a shock when necessary. I've learned to 'live-with' my ICD and am extremely thankful that I have it. By the way, my wife was also terrified as we faced this 'opportunity' but she made it fine just as I did. Good luck!
A tip or 2.......
by auntiesamm - 2007-08-12 12:08:29
Hello and Welcome,
I don't have an ICD but a PM which was implanted in May 2006. It all went very smoothly and in 2 days I was up and at it, even driving myself.
Biggest problem: remembering not to reach above shoulder level on the left side. This was extremely difficult for me as it is something that I do many, many times a day. My husband was good at catching me when it looked like I was reaching but wasn't around all the time.
Finally, I put yellow post-its on every door, cabinet, drawer, shelf, clothes rod that was higher than shoulder level. They served as a constant reminder for me. The important thing is to use the left arm enough so as not to get a frozen shoulder. Simple arm movements, shoulder shrugs, anything that is motion would be enough. There have been a few folks on here who have had serious shoulder problems from immobility.
Hope this helps a little as your husband prepares for his device this coming week. Let us know how he does & let him know I am praying for him to have an easy placement and quick recovery! God bless you both.
Sharon
ICD Implant
by cmgdavid - 2007-08-17 11:08:01
Be very careful about getting the ICD under muscle. The last time I was in to have a lead replaced the patient next to me had their Pacemake replaced. I t was under the muscle and shere was in terrible pain after the procedure I am assuming because they have to "dig" the device out.
Life is Good...
by turnpikejohn - 2007-08-24 09:08:46
I'm a 47 year old male; my ICD was implanted under the skin in June of 2006. I continue to run a minimum of 10 miles a week and exercise daily. I weight 147 lbs and the device really shows quite the bump! People that know I have it can notice it under my shirt. I get the most questions from kids at the pool or beach. I answer them honestly and they accept it with no problem. It doesn't bother me that it's so prevalent. Beats the alternative. I did receive an unnecessary shock once so far. It didnt hurt, but was more like a sucker punch I didnt know what hit me right away. I was out running when that happened. Anyways now its no big deal.
You know you're wired when...
You have a 25 year mortgage on your device.
Member Quotes
I've never had a problem with my model.
Hi
by kyle0816 - 2007-08-10 01:08:15
I am 33 and had an ICD implanted back in April, feel free to email me with any questions. One of the main things I always like to tell people getting them is that they CAN be implanted under the muscle. I got mine under the muscle and it is far less noticeable (no one can see it even when I wear a very tight shirt) than if you get it implanted under the skin only as is the normal procedure. I don't know if your husband really cares about the aesthetic part of it but I know every time I see it I'm glad the lump is a lot smaller than it could have been.
Another concern I had was lifting weights, my Dr. routed the leads in such a way where it would not be crushed by my collar bone when I lifted, you might want to ask the Dr. about this also.
He will have shoulder pain for quite a while after the implant, that's normal, I still have some pain and it's been 4 months since my implant. He probably won't be able to sleep on the side of the implant for a while.
Anyway if you have any questions feel free to send me an email on here. Good luck!