Stressed

I am so stressed because I am so afraid my ICD will go off. I have had it for 3 months. Any ideas on how to relieve this stress?

3 Comments

Stress...

by Swedeheart - 2008-04-03 09:04:38

Doesn't it seem like when we are stressed about something... trying not to be stressed only brings on more!

I too was given ativan and it helped when I was feeling like I was going to jump out of my skin! As time goes on and we have less and less "negative" experiences with our devices I think it helps the stress level.

One thing that helps me is to learn as much as I can about the icky things I imagine... that way I can determine what I can do to help avoid them, or what I can do when it happens! I would talk to your doctor about your fears, and ask him/her what will happen if your ICD fires! Ask what you should do...let your family know what should be done if you feel awful... knowledge is power in my book!

Good luck. Remember, we are all in this together!

Swedeheart

Stress

by gentlben4u - 2008-04-04 09:04:33

My doctor prescribed ativan for me as well. It works great for me. I can cope better with this medication.

Ben.

14 year old

by Anita - 2008-05-15 11:05:07

Thank you for your comment on my son. Have you ever been shocked? Devin has been shocked a total of 9 times and it has charge to shock him several other times. Devin is very scared and has alot of fear of being shocked again. His has only shocked him when he was being active;for instance when he was skate boarding and skin boarding. He doesn't do anything active, because He is to afraid. He doesnt have much of a life other than TV and Playing play station games. I know some people have had their device for many years and have never been shocked. Hopefully, you will be one of the lucky ones. My son is taking 20mg of prozac each day. It was working in the beginning, but he is starting to have more panic attacks. We have talked to several therapist , but we haven't had much luck there. My heart breaks for you and any other person that has an ICD. I always try to tell my son it could be much worse. There are other people in the world that are dealing with alot more than we are. I know that is easy for me to say, because I don't have the ICD inside my chest. This is just one of the many ways we try to cope with his problem. I do know that my son has suffered greatly. He was barely 13 years old when he first got his ICD. We live with fear everyday, but we also are very grateful for his device. If he didn't have this device I would not have my son today. I've heard him say sometimes you have to make a little humor out of the situation. So sometimes he will make something funny about our situation. Just try and stay strong ! I think know that your fear will ever go away, but over time I think it does get easier. my email is longa@hickman.k12tn.net if you would like to email me.... thanks and good luck

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I have had my pacer since 2005. At first it ruled my life. It took some time to calm down and make the mental adjustment. I had trouble sleeping and I worried a lot about pulling wires. Now I just live my life as I wish.