Worried for first time

My name is Chris. I am 50 years old and was first diagnosed with mitral value prolapsed when I was just 8, so I have been "dealing with" my heart for most of my life. I've had two mitral value repairs, and about a year prior to the last one seven years ago, I developed chronic Afib, which after a year of drug therapy, resulted getting an ablation that, while unsuccessful in curing the afib, did eliminate my AV node altogether, so I have been pacemaker dependent since. Four years ago my ventricles became dysynchronis when the rate went up over 120, so I was given a bi-ventricular pacemaker with an ICD. It eliminated the problem and I have been feeling great

Have had not problems since until a few weeks ago when I had a run of Vtach (while just sitting relaxing) that lasted just one second shorter than the point when my ICD would have fired. It has left me feeling quite nervous, largely because it is set to deliver a maximum shock (it took that much juice to get me "restarted" when they tested the device when it was implanted. I'm coming up on the end of the current devices life, so will be likely getting a new one in the next year.

You wouldn't know I have ever had a heart issue if you saw me, and am in otherwise great shape. The problem is that I am becoming increasingly anxious about the device firing. I am hopeful that sharing these thoughts in this group will help. (I've never joined a chat group before so I am not sure what to expect.) Anyway, thanks for the opportunity to vent.

3 Comments

Hmmmm

by pete - 2008-07-09 03:07:28

This is a complex issue. I think you should mention all this to your EP and hope that the new device improves matters for you. I too have andn AV node ablation and a biventricular pacemaker. Wishing you all the best and welcome to the club. Cheers Pete

anxiety stinks

by curly - 2008-07-09 05:07:38

i have an icd and it did fire twice in april. i know how you feel with anxiety. you have not been zapped which is great. i would talk to doctor about anxiety and maybe get some meds. if you feel you need them.they the meds. do take the edge off. but your fear will get less as time goes by. good luck , curly

Anxiety & Stress

by Pookie - 2008-07-09 07:07:40

Hi Chris and welcome.

I do not have the device you have; I have a pacemaker but can certainly appreciate your anxiety. I will be honest to say that I don't know what it feels like waiting to be shocked; I can only imagine.

It is only my opinion but I think that most of us that have had something done to our hearts do go thru some kind of anxiety and/or stress, I know I certainly did. I sought help in the form of counselling and an anti-depressant. I don't think I ever got back to being my old self again, but I learned so much and now I can say I truly appreciate and can understand what people have to endure while going thru stress and anxiety. It just sucks!

The only thing I can offer you is words of encouragement and please know that you have discovered a terrific website that will support you and be there for you. We all need to vent and find others with similar problems, please know that you are not alone.

Wishing you nothing but the best.

Pookie

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