my defib just kicked in

it was about 20 minutes ago and i was in bed. every time i have been shocked it was when i was laying down up in the morning.
does anyone know why i have this pattern? the feeling of vt alerted me that it might fire. my old heart is about wore out. i am due to get a new icd on dec 4th because my battery is getting low. i have been shocked 9 times in the last 3 weeks.that depletes a battery quicker than just the pacing out of vt. if you are out there i would appreciate some company. jon

1 Comments

9 shocks?

by mrag - 2009-10-31 08:10:42

Wow, obviously something ain't right! You don't describe the meds you're on, what ICD you have and what you'll be getting nor what your EP and cardiologist's are saying. I had a "storm" (several shocks in short period) and the explanation was my "sotalol was worthless" for me. As I had 8 shocks over three years (and was on amiodarone for about 12 months during that period-not recommended for most humans), they felt that was a lot of shocks. Subsequently had a ventricular ablation-so far so good-the goal is maybe 1 shock every couple years or less.

Don't know, maybe you have some cracked leads. They think I'll need a new battery by next summer-total use time, 4 years-shocks do eat up battery life.

I forget the 'low oxygen' term. It is NOT sleep apnea where you basically stop breathing. Rather as Zombie says, your breathing is shallower and hence your oxygen level drops. This can/might cause a firing. I had a 'sleep test' done, I dropped to about 85% during sleep. Got an oxygen machine to sleep with-only uses the nose piece (canula?) so not near as claustrophobic as apnea mask.

9 shocks! I'd be sitting in the ER and not moving until I got some serious answers.

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The experience of having a couple of lengths of wire fed into your heart muscle and an electronic 'box' tucked under the skin is not an insignificant event, but you will survive.