Most Recent Messages in ICDs

SnowBlowers & ICDs

Hi

I've used a lawn mower many times since I got my ICD. Never had a problem.

Snow season is coming soon and I'm considering getting a self-propelled 2 stage snow blower. Has anyone with an ICD had trouble using a snow-blower?

I know we aren't supposed to lean over car engines beacuse of possible interference. My lawnmower hasn't been a problem but I'm thinking a snow-blower engine is a little bigger and just a little bit closer to the device.

Thanks...

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VT Triggers - Fever or Alcohol?

  • by ekt32
  • 2011-08-18 08:08:04
  • ICDs
  • 2318 views
  • 8 comments

Hey everyone,

I'm 22 years old and I have a preexisting heart condition but I developed VT in April 2010. I had an ablation in July 2010 and my doctors implanted my ICD in August 2010. I have received shocks on two separate occasions. The first was in November 2010 when I was out drinking with my friends, where I received one shock. The doctors concluded that my VT was being caused by alcohol, so I stopped drinking and didn't have any problems. The second time was a little over a week...

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LVAD

Just wanted to know if anyone else has an LVAD implant along with their PM/ICD?  Friday morning I just rolled over in bed and was getting shocked every 2 seconds for a total of 8 events.
Wife called EMS and also the transplant nurse, I was taken to a local ER and was shocked again to restore a correct rhythm, 30 minutes later I was life flighted out .

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AV and VV optimization for CRT

  • by mrag
  • 2011-08-14 05:08:19
  • ICDs
  • 2747 views
  • 2 comments

Has anyone with a CRT ever had an AV Optimization and if so what was the result? This procedure to fine tune your device settings can go by different names. Boston Scientific can call it Quick Opt while I believe St Jude may call it Smart AV. Medtronic may pursue it via "echo optimization."

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recent firing yet again

  • by kcruz
  • 2011-08-12 08:08:30
  • ICDs
  • 1455 views
  • 0 comments

Hi fellows: So I received 2 more shocks from my device for VT and VF, we are doing some changes to medications increasing some and changing some others, we tried to push fluid but had to back off as It started to back up in the lungs. Here is my question to you as I forgot to ask the doc and it will be a few weeks until I see him personally even though I will be having weekly follow ups in clinic. When you have these repeated episodes does anyone know what long term effects it has on your EF?

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Eye tic?

Hello all. In fear of sounding 100% stupid.....I had my ICD installed 2 weeks ago, and for the past 4 days I have had a terrible eye tic (you know, when your eyelid quivers constantly but no-one else can see it!). It is relentless and has never happened to this extent before. Maybe 10 minutes max in the past, which I reckon everyone gets from time to time. I feel dumb asking...but could it be related to my ICD? Karen x

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night time shock

How can you tell if you receive a shock when you are sleeping? I have awakened twice gasping for breath, wide awake and heart beating fast, and sore the next day, bad dreams or?

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Newcomer

Hello all - can I start by saying how lucky I feel to have found this site and how lucky we all are to have the technology that enables us to 'chat' like this.
I had my first ICD implanted 2 weeks ago. I live in Tasmania, the island state that sits at the bottom of Australia. I was diagnosed with Non Compaction Cardiomyopathy 6 months ago and have a recent family history of Sudden Cardiac Death, hence my need for an ICD. The reason it is so great to have all of you to connect with is that...

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Could it be shocking me that much.

I am 25 y/o female who had a icd installed in March 2011. I really haven't had to many problems maybe the ocassional itch or ant bite sensation. Since Friday I have had what i thought was just going to be the ant bite sensation, but it is like sharp stabs of pain around my icd. Some aren't as bad as others but a few are off the scale for pain. They come on suddenly and go away just as fast as they came on. I called my DR yesterday and he said he didn't think it was anything serious but to go...

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ICD and swimming

I just had my ICD replaced and went to go back to my swimming asap. I know I need to wait for the incision to heal, my doctor said at least a month. Is this about right?

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protective vest

any one know of a protective vest i can wear to protect my internal icd against magnetic fields

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Are ICD's and CRT's interchangeable?

I thought that CRT's and ICD's were two different devices, now I have learned that they can be, but they can also be together as one device. Can someone explain this to me a little better? Thank you.

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Cardiac Rehab

  • by sonya
  • 2011-07-17 11:07:37
  • ICDs
  • 1715 views
  • 2 comments

I have posted several times on this site and got back very good responses. My cardiologist called me on my vacation and his also on a Saturday and told me that my pulmonary stress test nunumbs was low and he wanted to try a few things. #1 He wanted to start me on Cardio Exercises at hospital, make changes with my CRT-D, change my meds completely and see if I qualify for a International Cardiac Study. I am 44 with an EF of around 25%. he says I am one of the few that the device is not helping, bu...

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Using HRM with defibrillator

I would like to buy a heart rate monitor, not for exercise purposes, but to determine when my heart rate is speeding up to an unacceptable level. Is there a suitable model that will work without interfering with my defibrillator and that I can program to signal an alarm when my heart rate reaches a certain range?
would appreciate any feedback on this topic

Kerryman

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Scared

I had my surgery on July 13 and I was so afraid but with the doctor and nurses and all the comments that you all had for me I calmed down quite a bit. The surgery went fine and I'm just so grateful. It's kind of hard for me to remember not to raise my arm because its a natural reaction. I'm feeling quite well however sore and can't seem to get comfortable lying down so I sit in my recliner. I'm sure that will get better too.

Thank You!

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Scared

I'm 62 years of age and have been a heart patient since 1984 when I had angioplasty surgery with no complications until now. I had an echo done which showed I need a defibrillator placement. I'm more scared now than I was way back then. What can I expect? The doctors said its a walk in the park, but i need advice.

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No shock advised?

I have had my ICD combination PM for a week and I am so afraid that I am going to be shocked when I least expect it. Naturally its going to be when I least expect it but I am afraid that it will be a malfunction shock. Anybody have any advice about getting over the fear. Its doesn't stop me from my daily activities, its just on my mind.

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More swelled on day four

The very first day I felt my incision area and it was nice and flat. Today is day four and it feels swelling. However, it seems to me that things always swell later after trauma? Any thoughts.

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Great News!

Hello Everyone,

It's been awhile since I posted, but today a fellow member contacted me with a question and I realized I must drop in and give an update.

Prior to my ICD/CRT-D implant on December 9, 2009 I was on this forum constantly and it was immensely helpful. Since the implant, I've had no episodes and feel sooooooo much better. My Ejection Fraction improved from 15-20% to 35%...not perfect but a huge difference for me. I exercise...cardio/weights/isometrics almost...

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Device vibrated

I had my pacemaker/diff implanted in april 2008. I have had no shocks or major problems. Today my device vibrated and it scared me to no end. I felt shaky and dizzy like. I found in my pamplet that if this happened to call the doc and so i did. They want to see me tomorrow. I have never had this happen before. Has anyone ever had this happen before and what could it be?

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You know you're wired when...

Muggers want your ICD, not your wallet.

Member Quotes

My pacemaker was installed in 1998 and I have not felt better. The mental part is the toughest.