Life Change
Like everyone else I am so glad that I found this web site. I am a 43 year old female and was scheduled to have neck surgery in May. So as procedure I went to have my pre-op done and the nurse told me that they would not do surgery on me that I needed to see a cardiologist asap. So that afternoon I saw a cardio MD. He did a heart cath the next day and said my EF was 10% and I also had a left bundle block. It was like my life just ended. They put me on medication for 90 days to see if my EF got any better but here is the thing. The heart cath showed my EF at 10% but the ECG showed it to be 20, so I dont't know which to believe,but non the less he wasn't happy with the improvement. So we decided to go ahead and get the CRT-D put in. He said he believes the third lead to the heart muscle will help my EF. I will know in November. I do feel better now that I have the CRT-D but my back hurts alot in the left shoulder and occassionally feel like my food lodges in that area. I still feel depressed but I am working on that. I know what ever happens is in Gods plans, that is why I am still here.
3 Comments
Life Change
by makeuwell - 2010-10-23 01:10:04
I have experienced a similar experience. I am a 40 yo female and had a few palpitations which has subsequently lead to a ICD placement. i have only had mine for a few weeks but my EF was as low as 10 and now it's 20%. I too had some unusual discomforts to my left side and my abdomen was being paced. You could see it from across the room. Have you ever had your MD or manufacturer check our the settings or had the energy levels changed? I did right away and no more abdomen pacing. My MD told me some people don't realize this is not normal and continue to live with it for a long time. Get it checked out.I did and am so happy I did. I wish you all the best! Stacy
just saw this
by cruz - 2010-11-09 11:11:31
I don't check this forum often, but saw your concerns. I'm 59. Diagnosed a little over a year ago with similar readings for EF. My 3rd lead is not in the "ideal" placement area, per my doctor. They ran into problems getting it ideally located. This has caused what they call occasional "hiccups" which can be seen across the room too. When the lead touches a nerve it creates the "hiccup" effect. It's very unnerving and uncomfortable. They had to have a tech come in shortly after the procedure to make an adjustment. The tech has made adjustments 3 times and it's much better now. It only occurs if I am laying at a specific angle on my left side. I recently had an echo and the hiccuping was in full force. They had to adjust my body several times to stop the hiccups. Be sure to talk to the doctor and the tech. It can be adjusted to get this under control, for the most part, at least. I had the same problem with the food feeling as if it were lodging. I lost quite a bit of weight. That has now completely passed and I'm eating normally. My implant was in February and I'm just starting to feel better and see results. I have a great HF Specialist. He says that when the numbers are as low as mine (10-11 EF) it can take up to 18 months to see results. Mine didn't show improvement until Oct so you seem to be making a really nice comeback. Don't get discouraged.
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Member Quotes
As for my pacemaker (almost 7 years old) I like to think of it in the terms of the old Timex commercial - takes a licking and keeps on ticking.
Cath vs ECG
by ElectricFrank - 2010-10-23 01:10:03
The cath has the potential to give the most accurate results. With the ECG the EF has to be inferred from the the waveforms and there are a number of things that can affect those.
frank