Thank you to each of you who shared your experience/knowledge about third leads. I am hesitant at this time to add another lead as long as my condition is stable. Because the heart virus in 2004 left me with 25% heart function, I know I need to weigh all decisions carefully. Think it is great we have a place to share our experiences/knowledge and give each other our understanding. It has really been challenging for me since my daughter is with God now from sudden cardiac arrest during an asthma attack last May. I now have her two children to love and guide without their Mom. I know it is especially hard for the children for grandma to still be here instead of their mom, but we are taking it day by day. I am trying hard for my d...

 

I currently have 2 leads. My cardiologist has mentioned the possibility of adding a third. If you have three leads, please share your experience as to improvement in actual heart function and/or complications. Thank you. Hopeful Heart

 

I had a very puzzling appointment with my cardiologist at Toronto General yesterday. I went for an echo, blood work and cardio-pulmonary. I then met with my cardiologist to review the results and that’s where it got confusing.

My cardio pulmonary results improved dramatically from 6 months prior (which was not surprising since my exercise routine had increased), but the echo demonstrated the my EF had dropped to 20% (I know this is not the best way to measure EF but 6 months earlier with the same equipment my EF was 3) also the echo showed that my heart had gotten larger 57 mm to 62 mm. So in short what is happening is that the structure of the heart worsen but the function of the heart is got better.

Anyone else co...

 

I'm new to this site; was recommended to join by the cardiac rehab team. They thought it may help with my anxiety. Quite frankly reading through some of the postings increased my anxiety a bit. :0
I was born with Tetrology of Fallot and had it repaired in 1974 at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Had a pretty good life from them on with no issues. Never ever considered my congenital defect as an excuse to prevent me from living my life. But things changed in 2007 when it was discovered I had ventricular tachycardia. I also needed my pulmonary valve replaced. I was not scared or even worried about it. I was confident that this was going to go well. So I in the interim, I lived on amiodorone for a year while I waited for the te...

 

I have my second implant (2004 and 2009). I am new to this site and read Lady B's posting from December about uncomfortable itching at her implant incision. The following info works great. Also, you can lesson scarring. When the incision is closed over, begin applying over the counter cortisone cream mixed with a small amount of water to the area after showers/baths. Really helps with the itching and scarring! Happy to have found this site where we can share and try to be of help to each other. Hopeful Heart

 

My (new) CRT-d from Boston Scientific can be set to issue an audible alarm when the device begins to charge to POSSIBLY give me a shock. Basically it is about a 10 second warning. And the alarm does NOT mean I will definitely get a shock, just that there is an increased likelihood and it is beginning to charge just in case. I understand professional roofers with ICD's like this option and I was thinking it might be good for driving on high speed highways. Anyone have this turned on in their icd?

 

I am going tomorrow to schedule a date...Needless to say I am very anxious. I do have a very good doctor

 

There's very little information online that I can find... I hope that's a good thing. I want to know if tomorrow's major solar storm will cause any effects on my Boston Scientific ICD?

In fact, I've had the defibrillator function turned off, so it's only acting as a pacer. I am most concerned with the threat of having the defibrillator turn on and get zapped - or just get zapped one way or another due to interference. Should I be concerned?

 

Thank you so very much for your fast response, Don. I feel so much better now. Having an ICD implant is anxiety enough. My oxygen number hasn't changed at all. It's only the pulse that has changed. I just tested again. The oxymeter immediately reads a higher number and then drops after a few seconds, but stays at the lower number until I turn it off and then retest. Your explanation was clear and I could understand what's happening. Thank you....thank you.

 

I had a Medtronic ICD implanted Oct.3, 2011. I test my oxygen and pulse with a oxymeter everyday. Suddenly two weeks ago my pulse (normally between 97 and 88 has changed to between 52 and 44. I don't feel any different. What could be the reason?

 

March 2011 I got my first ICD, a Boston Scientific 2-wire. At a check in November the cardiologist said I was "ready for a 3-wire", so since I wasn't satisfied with my shortness of breath I agreed. A BIOTRONIK 3-wire was implanted December 2011. At a follow-up a week later the check showed that the 3-wire wasn't performing and now the cardiologist may have to go back in and repaid. I'm often even more short of breath than before. My next scheduled check-up is March 27, 2012. Should I be worried, or concerned?

At a recent follow-up the regular cardiologist couldn't make it and the substitute told me I will never feel any better than I do now because I'm too old ! I'm 80, and swim every day!

 

Hi, My name is Cheryl i had a ICD implanted on Jan 10,.2010 does anyone know how long these last till i have to get another one put in or how does it get changed???? thanks any info would be great. thanks

 

I have just had a Guidant E110 implanted. My question is that if my wallet card indicates two separate leads would that indicate a dual purpose unit. I only saw the surgeon for a few seconds before the implant andbriefly after. This is just for my own knowledge. By the way, the leads are 4087 and 0185.

Regards
Philip

 

Okay so me and my two kids were laying on the couch watching a movie when my kids started picking at each other. Well my 4 year old feel back and hit my device full force with her head. Now it hurts and is kinda swollen. It is always somewhat sore there anyways but now it is much worse. Do you think I just bruised the area around it or what?

 

2 yrs ago when I had my biventricle implant while in the hospital it seemed it was going to jump out!My understanding was, it was setting up the pacing.The site of it surprised my sister and I! Now it started again,the PA @ the device clinic tested my device and concluded "my device was working"......Is my heart getting worse?Sometimes I get awakened by this "new pacing".Anyone else had the same experience?

 

== Begin quoted message ==
I am brand new to this site and I got a Pacemaker/Defibrillator implanted on 11-22-11. The current settings start pacing me down at 100 bpm and paces me up at 70 bpm. Do you have any information on why a heart rate would jump from 70 to 100 while at rest? I think my heart is trying to start into VT but the pacemaker is straightening it out, but I'm unsure. Anyone else ever have this occur?
It is pacing me all the time it seems and it is very annoying and sometimes painful. I've already been zapped 8 times! 4 on each occassion and the last being yesterday morning at 3:00 AM. I'm currently at the Cleveland Clinic Cardiac Hospital and my heart rate won't drop enough to stop pacing.
Lastly, I a...

 

Did any one feel pain when you were given the shot to numb the surgical area ?

 

I had a Medtronic ICD placed last month after fighting with cardiologists for the last 7 years because of it being disfiguring. I work as a model and am incredibly thin. I knew that the ICD was going to be visible, but I didn't expect it to be so heavy. I keep thinking it is going to come out of my skin!

Every time that I bend or reach it feels like it is pulling...painfully. And the slightest touch where the implant is at causes extreme pain. I am still taking pain meds (narcotics to sleep, NSAIDS during the day) and I am really upset because I thought after the incision healed that the pain would be gone. I thought that since I was young that I would have an easier time with recovery.

Does anyone know if Medtronic ...

 

Hi All. I am new to this group and glad I found it.  I had a St Jude ICD implanted in 2004 with one of my leads being a Riata. Since I got this in 2004 I was shocked once in 2007 for no reason. They replaced the ICD with a Medtronic and I still have the St Jude leads.

Since 2004 I’ve gone to all my visits for my ICD check and it is still over sensing.  I know they have a recall on one of my leads.  I had a chest xray done and I am really nervous about all of this as to what they do now.  My cardiologist didn’t even know about the recall until I called her.

Any advice on what I should do would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Susan

 

I recieved my ICD in June 2010 and was told by the surgeon not to ride a horse. I am 68 and have rode all my life. Has anyone else been told not to ride. I still continue to ride but not like a did before the implant.