Shock Experience?

I had an ICD implant on 7/19. VT which caused 3 syncope incidents. I am wondering whether anyone has been Defibrillated by their ICD while standing and whether that shock can be handled without falling down or not? Also any pre-warning of the pending "therapy"? My ICD is a Boston Scientific Teligen. and This is what the EP implant report says: FastVT: Detection Int (ms) 343 Rate(BPM) 175.
Does that mean that if my heart rate goes to 175 or greater that I will be "zapped"?
I'm very grateful that I have the ICD and not overly concerned, just kind of curious as to whether I could remain standing, should I get shocked out in public? I was shocked during the EP lying down and while significant, I think I could handle it standing? Anyone have any actual experiences?? Thanks.

3 Comments

Flat out

by Katielou - 2010-07-29 06:07:47

Think you might find that you will be out for the count for a few seconds during which time you will be on the floor. I have a defib with a VF problem caused by Long QT. From my experience you will feel 'odd' for a couple of seconds before a shock is about to be delivered so my advice to you would be to sit down asap. I know when a shock is about to happen as it is triggered by my heart misbehaving! Everyone is different I'm sure but this is my experience. Hope it helps.

Take care
Katielou

standing up

by turboz24 - 2010-07-29 08:07:08

I have been shocked 2 times standing up. Once when I hit around 240-245 bpm, got popped, finished working out.

I was working on my house last time, didn't drink or eat for hours, went into hypoglycemia, started shaking, heart rate shot up, got shocked, dropped the sheet rock I was holding, got something to eat, no problem.

It all seems to depend on how well your body handles getting a little low on the old BP. I have never passed out while in VT, even when I hit 285 bpm, was still standing, felt a little dizzy, but not bad.

Shocked while standing

by jjones - 2011-01-31 11:01:04

I have been shocked twice, once standing up. I felt a littlt weird a few seconds before it happend, but i was able to walk about 20ft to the living room and sit down. The shock was powerful, like being hit by a jack hammer, but there was no residual pain. It just learning to cope with it mentally that challenging. This is my second device (implanted 2010), I was shocked about 10 days after implantation. The first device (implanted 2000) really improved my quality of life.

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