Many times on here people have asked questions about when it comes to dying and our little machines. I thought I would post a link to this article that was on MSN. Talks about the defib/ICD at least (not the pacemaker). Bottom line : when someone is in their final days their ICD should get turned off to prevent unnecessary pain.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35879389/ns/health-heart_health/

 

 

I experienced this 2 weeks ago with my father in law and my father last week. Hospice won't turn either of them off but after lots of paperwork they said they could turn off the icd so my dad wouldn't be shocked.
My father in law had the pacemaker and died of heart failure at 91 and my father at 74 who had a icd.
Sorry to be so negative but I've had 4 deaths (friends and family) in the last month.

 

I'd sure like the option to turn off my PM! Maybe this is something to address in the Advanced Directive. Thanks for the link! I'd questioned my Doc about this option and he indicated it wasn't that pleasant an experience. I don't get it. Before I got my PM i was just about to go sleep... permanently. Doesn't sound so bad to me!
Laurie