Activation of DEFIBRILLATOR and resulting problems
Hi. I am 66 years old and had a heart attack at 48 whilst a top long distance runner. Had a bypass 4 years later. They did 5 bypasses so I could go back to running. Never did return to running, but took up badminton for 14 wonderful years until I collapsed in Jan 2010 whilst playing badminton. Heart stopped 4 times during next 2 days and was unconscious for 2 weeks with body covered in ice. Recovered and fitted with a defibrillator. Got up to brisk walking 5 to 6 miles. Just before Xmas I collapsed in street and split head open on pavement. APPARENTLY I collapsed because my heart rate went up so quickly (288 beats) I fainted before my device kicked in. They say it did activate and I was shocked (although I knew nothing about it) which is why I am still here.
QUESTIONS:
1) is this what normally happens? 2) Have lost driving licence AGAIN for 6 months. Is there any way of getting around this? 3) Has anyone experienced being VERY HOT IN BED as though you have a radiator inside and yet feel normal on outside? Is this due to being shocked? Doctors don’t seem to understand what I am talking about. 4) Put on Amiodarone now I get dizzy and go into DEEP sleep whilst watching tele at night. Is this common? Sorry to be so long winded.
Best wishes for 2011 From John in Cheshire, England
6 Comments
wwow slow our roll
by nrracing - 2011-01-11 03:01:52
Hey , I am not in your age group but I agree with the rest, take it easy man. You been working out all your life, rest some with these problems. As for the driving, I blacked out at work last November. I am not able to drive either and I am on Satolol. I do drive to work and home. ONLY cause I live less then 2 miles from work. Now I hate it cause I like to race, track, some street and back road race. I will not do it due to the restrictions. Just give it time and relax man and you will be able to drive again.
Many Thanks Frank .Your Dead right
by jc - 2011-01-11 05:01:34
My family would agree with you 100% its just that I find it hard to accept that I can no longer keep up with the 40/50 year olds I played with.Stupid I know ,but having been so competative all my life to slow down I find hard. I not only miss it ,but I have started to put on wieght which really annoys me .Some of it is due to the mountains of tablets but mostly because I am still eating at the level I did before, when playing badminton 4 days a week.
My approach has been very selfish In that ,despite my collapses before my main event last year I did not wait for results of all the tests.I went back to playing badminton before the final report which landed on the doorstep the day after I had my NEAR FATAL attack.My family to whom I am very close went through hell for weeks due to my stupidity.Will I ever learn ?
Many thanks To Electricfrank
hi john
by molywoo3 - 2011-01-20 08:01:04
john, i have been shocked twice, and felt it, like a kick in the chest, by a horse.i was not barred from driving, as no one told the dvla, and i didnt know if it was up to me to tell them. that was in 2006, and it dont matter know. Get of amiodorone as soon as you can, its not a medication for long term. i have never had the hot in bed symptoms, dont try to keep up with the younger people, those days in my opinion are finished. the icd will save your life, and be grateful you have it. joe, aged 65. bolton lancs.
amiodarone
by waltzing mo - 2011-01-21 10:01:38
i have a pacemaker/debfib.(hereditey) fitted in 2007 after my heart stopped twice it has fired 5 times i ended up in icu.they started me on .amiodarone. 2 years have passed and icd has never fired since but i have had to go on thyroixine.why is amiodarone not for long term??maureeen age62 aberdeen
molywoo3
by jc - 2011-01-24 08:01:44
Hi Joe (molywoo3) Why is amiodorone not so good. I know it does have many side effects but is there anything you have experienced Thanks John
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Comment
by ElectricFrank - 2011-01-11 01:01:01
It sounds like you need to lower your expectations for exercise. If I'm understanding it right each of your events over the years have happened when you were pushing yourself. Even with the bypasses your heart may not have the blood flow to support high levels. Also, there is a recovery time after each beat (I can't recall the technical name for it right now) which tends to get longer with age or heart attacks. If you push past this point it can trigger tachycardia or fibrillation.
Take it from someone who is 80 years old at this point, and in good shape...I can't go at it like I used to. I've come to accept it and adjust my activity appropriately. My upper HR that I can maintain for several miles is on the order of 115-120. Short burst of 130 are OK. It sounds like you have done the same except your adjustment is "push it till it breaks".
I can't be of much help as I don't know the laws and politics of your part of the world. Here it would be a matter of convincing them of having found and corrected the problem.
cheers,
frank