Hi.. any advise, thoughts on when you get have your first shock?? Kind of mixed about the whole thing, gratefull to have good doctors, be alive and that it worked perfectly. Unsettled at the relization that it really went off. Having it go off kind of ripps away my core confidence that I am strong and healthy.
Thanks! Janiejane..

 

 

I really resent my ICD, but at least when I received my first shock, it gave me a small solice that I actually needed. I would be really mad if I went through all the self-image issues, fear, etc, etc and for it to never ever actually be used.

When I do get shocked, I'm more worried about more meds or med changes than actually the shock itself. It unsettles me for a month or so and back to normal usually.

 

I had two shock storms when I first got my ICD (1st was 8 shocks, 2nd was 8+) before they got my medications correct. It took me quite a while to get over that. I finally built up confidence that I was past all that.

Seventeen months have gone by, Friday night I was just leaving the office when I felt lightheaded then -BANG- I received a shock. Instead of heading 25 miles to my home I went 3 miles to the ER. Everything checked out OK and I felt good. The doctor contacted the cardiologist on call, a small change was made in my medication and home I went. Monday I have to call my regular cardiologist.

Now finally to get to the "heart" of your question, I am a little anxious and disappointed. I am thankful my little device did its job but I was hoping it wouldn't have to. I am pleased my cardiologist had the foresight to implant my ICD (I didn't feel this way after the shock storms). I am really happy that my heart went back into proper rhythm after just one shock. I will get over this and get on with my life!

I find that this forum with its wonderful members are great therapy. I also belong to the www.icdsupportgroup.org and they are also great.

Best wishes and let me know if there is anything I can do to help, Bruce

 

I had my AICD 21 months before the first Zapping and that was 2 months ago. I have not had a difibrillator storm, but I did get Zapped twice in one minute that day......after about 15 minutes of physical work ( I should not have been doing). I don't know about Brucerob above, but it hurts like __________ !!!!! I don't want it to do it again....the pain only lasted a millisecond each time, but it was enough to keep me awake the last 2 months thinking about it....I've had 2 tune-ups since. Now everytime I feel a thump in my chest or an extra beat, I think I'm going to get Zapped again. Oh well, it recorded an event 2 weeks after it was implanted that if I did not have it ,I would have died at 3:30am the night of my 21st anniversary, wife is glad its in there.

 

During my two shock storms it felt like a mule was kicking me in the chest. The single zap wasn't nearly as bad. I don't know if that was because it was over so quickly, I was busy at the time, I am much healthier or even the position I was in (standing not sitting or lying down). I am trying to do everything to prevent it from happening again.

Bruce