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The New Me
Hi, I'm Heather, a 58 yr old with a brand new ICD (St. Jude's Atlus II). I have a history of dilated cardiomyopathy, but was stable and healthy for 13 years until this past December when I had my first V-Tach. In the next two months I had several more, never actually fainted, but came close to it, in and out of emergency several times. A week and a half ago I went into the hospital for what I thought was to be an EP study, followed by a cardio-ablation. I had more or less prepared myself for that, but the EP study had to be aborted because my heart was just too unstable and the only option I was given was an ICD. Two days later I am home and thinking what just happened?
I haven't gone back to work yet, though I have done some work from home. I find it better if I keep my mind busy. If not I brood, get depressed and anxious and scared about the shock aspect of this device. I'm basically a coward regarding pain. I hate the thought of living my life thinking every minute "when is it going to happen"? Do people get over this anxiety? Does anyone have any tips for that?
Thanks!
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Member Quotes
I have a well tuned pacer. I hardly know I have it. I am 76 year old, hike and camp alone in the desert. I have more energy than I have had in a long time. The only problem is my wife wants to have a knob installed so she can turn the pacer down.
cardio
by thomast - 2008-03-13 08:03:18
My history is close to yours. I was diagnosed with dilated cardio in 99, was on coreg, coumadin, accupril and did fine until 2004. Had my first V tach, had 6 in 3 days, like you I did not pass out. I was 67 by the way when diagnosed. Put in ER had a two wire PM with ICD implanted. put on amarondrone, after two months was so out of breath could not walk 100 ft. changed to sotalol, no longer put of breath, but sick all the time. Changed to Tikosyn felt much better, but no energy. 6 months after getting the 2 wire unit they changed it to a 3 wire bi-ven unit. Much better, that was in may of 05. Got zapped twice in the first 3 months, they changed the program after each time and have not been zapped since August of 05. doing pretty good for being 76, usually walk a mile each morning weather permitting. Getting zapped is no worse that touching the spark plug on a lawn mower. I no longer think much about it.