ICD battery very low...1st time

Ok...with cold hands, I found out yesterday after feeling not so great for 2-3 weeks, the ICD battery is at the end...soooooo, I'll be getting a call in the next couple of day's to schedule the replacement...This is my first replacement following nearly 4 yrs of use. I'm nervous, don't know what to expect? Do they keep you over nite? Can anyone that's had it replaced tell me what to expect? It really upset me to learn that news yesterday...the Dr. asked why I was teary...I said...I'm somewhat...well maybe more...scared...
I asked for an rx for something to help with the nerves so he wrote for Xanax...just 1 a day...that should help I hope...I'm getting too old for this stuff...(70). My sense of humor was in full swing at the Dr.s office yesterday when his young assistant 20 or so, just recently returned from Iraq, set up the 12-lead EKG machine and asked me to "lift up my top" and I said to him...we haven't been on a first date yet! He turned red and we all had a good laugh! I alway's try to use a little humor in situations when I'm nervous..it sure can help!
Thanks friends...
Carol (Nevada Silver)

7 Comments

replacemrnt

by thomast - 2010-06-10 01:06:24

Nothing to it, I had my PM/ICD replaced oct. 09. Went in at about 7;00 AM, was home by 3:PM, and I live an hour and half from the hospital. I am also too old 78 for this stuff.

Thomas

keep losing connection! lol

by Hot Heart - 2010-06-10 02:06:00

Soooooooooo hi carol, a very shortened version of what I originally typed before my internet goes off again.

Saw lots of people getting replacements when I got my pm, came in about 8, had it done, had lunch, went home about 2, all seemed fine.

Good luck HH x

Good Luck

by qwerty - 2010-06-10 02:06:17

I have not had a replacement, but everyone says it is easy compared to the initial implant. I bet you will do just fine. Be sure to keep us posted.

I agree, a PM "family" get together would be fun. Or maybe a Cruise.

Keep smiling.......

Cherell

Thanks Thomas!

by Nevada Silver - 2010-06-10 02:06:35

Just want to as "they"? say today: "LET'S JUST GET ERRRRRRRRRRRR DONE!
Thanks for the input...it helps alot. It will be done at St Mary's in Reno, NV and we have about a 45 min drive following.
You have a great week...It would be outstanding to get the wonderful people on this site together for a fun happening...Somewhat like a family reunion..

Take care and hope your doing well and kicking high!


Carol
Nevada Silver

Thanks so much

by Nevada Silver - 2010-06-10 07:06:08

for writing to me...it sure does help ALOT!!! :-) I live with my husband in a very small town in NV...been here for 5 1/2 yrs and we are like others "upside down" in our mortgage, so we are leaving and returning to CA. No stress there.....We have no friends here...the only people we see are the one's that use our small business, so....it's so nice to "Talk" to kind folks like all of you and be able to write my concerns and get all this support...I'm scheduled for Tues. the 16th...ok...deep breath...it's not like I have a choice! :-) I do though...but I don't think the other choice would work! You think???????
Group hug!
Nevada Silver
Carol

Replacement

by Pookie - 2010-06-10 09:06:51

Hi Carol.

I'm 48 but have had my pacemaker now since I was 42.

I've never had a replacement...yet, but I did have 4 surgeries on my initial pacer and another surgery 4 months later to reposition it.

My first surgery was the intial insertion of the pacemaker.

My second surgery (2 days later) was a surgery to save my life as one of the leads had fallen and my heart sac was completely full of blood and my heart would not beat even with the pacemaker!! Yup, I died, not once, but twice....very long story.

My third and fourth surgeries were to reposition the lead that kept falling.

My fifth surgery was to reposition the pacemaker, as mentioned above, because it was not anchored down and migrated into my armpit.

My first 4 surgeries were all within 10 days and believe it or not none of them hurt as much as the initial implant.

Now I don't know anything about defibs, but I am assuming that they are just under the skin in a pocket like my pacemaker? If so, then be prepared to feel a bit of discomfort but no pain.

I am confident that a lot of members will be tuning in to respond to your post.

99% of us I'm sure stress before having our first replacement and I see nothing wrong with taking Xanax if it will help you.

Good luck & Take care,
Pookie

POOKIE...thanks..........

by Nevada Silver - 2010-06-12 09:06:23

so much for writing...I'm feeling better about having the ICD replaced next Tues am...My BIGGEST problem with this entire thing has been the fact that not ONE professional ever explained what happens when the battery becomes low towards the end of it's time. All anyone ever told me was that I was 100% dependent on it...my heart rate,should it go out on me would only beat at 30 per min, which its not hard to figure out that I wouldn't make it for too long...they bring it down in the office to test,and I get dizzy, but I'm used to that...Even, St Jude that makes this particular ICD in the booklet that came with this ICD doesn't explain that...After dying myself when I had the cardiac arrest in 06 followed by implanting this ICD, I am still stressed about it..the few times I've gone to the ER, it all comes back as does the nerves that go with it. I will be ok...but I will say this if there are any professionals reading this that work with ICD patients...talk to your patients and explain what to expect...It was maybe 3 wks ago when I was feeling short of breath, dizzy, my heart was beating rather hard that I used my ICD transmitter to have "them" test it on the other end and was told that they couldn't read it...they asked me if it was raining where I lived, as rain can affect the reading and I told them about 10 drops had fallen and then I'm told to call back the next day! Are you kidding me? This has been not a good experience other than of course, I'm still alive...We all need to have someone in our court in case we are not able to function 100% to ask questions and get answers...When I had my arrest, I was admitted for what they thought was shortness of breath due to allergies...I had a pm at that time and the Dr's order was to admit me and put me on a cardiac monitor...well, they didn't follow orders.they did not put me on a monitor &.if my husband wasn't in the room with me...(I thought I was going home) when I coded and he yelled for help...I wouldn't be here now...Once again, I'm writing a book here...sorry...just be on your toes with your physicians please.
Nevada Silver

You know you're wired when...

You have a 25 year mortgage on your device.

Member Quotes

A lot of people are and live normal lives with no problems whatsoever.