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Hi my name is Susan. I’m getting my first ICD and am very scared. I was told that since I am a small frame person with not a lot of fat that it will show and it will be kind of like a pebble in my shoe, this sounds uncomfortable. They are going to implant it closer to my arm because there is more fat there.  I asked if after a while will I not notice it is there; I was told no you will always know it is there and it will be uncomfortable. Please someone help me understand why it has to be this way. I am a positive person and want to make the best of this. Susan

4 Comments

Go for under the muscle

by Katelyn - 2011-02-05 03:02:27

Getting an ICD is scary, but not having one is even scarier...just remind yourself of that every once in a while.

I got my first ICD when I was 17 and was also very thin. My dr implanted it under the muscle (vs just under the skin), I have been so pleased with the comfort, protection, and lack of bulging, that I have continued to request my device replacements to be under the muscle, despite the slightly longer recovery period (it tends to be a little more painful). I do not have any problems with how it is implanted or sits in my chest.

My biggest complaint has been device malfunctions and recalls - I had a battery recall and a lead fracture. I recommend learning as much as possible about your device so that you are informed to the max, I went on Medtronic's website and downloaded my ICD clinicians manual even! I also would request a magnet from your doctor. This can be used to de-activate the device incase a lead fractures and you get inappropriate shocks, I got a magnet and moved to 3 different states with it in my drawer, never thinking I would need it...7 years later an EMT dug it out of my drawer to stop the inappropriate shocks I was receiving from a faulty lead. Now I keep it with me at all times. Your dr will tell you the chances of your lead breaking is so small, and he is right... but just read posts on this site and there are a lot of us out there that have had it happen, so the best protection is to be prepared and know how to handle the situation.

Also, I would recommend seeing a psychologist as a preventative manner. I think that it should be required for every ICD patient. Shocks themselves do not really hurt (they happen too fast), but the anxiety built up around the events and the nightmares/phantom shocks that may occur afterwards are the most bothersome. I think that it is healthy to have a therapist to work through those issues with.

Welcome Susan

by walkerd - 2011-02-05 07:02:50

Im not sure what the pebble in the shoe is meaning? Did they tell you that is what you will feel? Did the Doctor tell you that? I can only speak for myself what I went thru, I dont feel it, I know its there, I can see it, does it bother me? No I know that it is there for a purpose to save my life or prolong it however you would like to look at it. Its ok Susan its normal to worry about it but dont become obcessed (I wish there was a spell check on here I hate showing my ignorance at spelling) with it, think positve thoughts like I said its there to help your heart plan and simple. To many people obcess over it to much like said above tell yourself its there for a reason to help my heart. A really good thing is to post on here and get your feelings out in the open, believe me it helps, Im glad I found this site after my open heart and implantation of my little friend in my chest, trust me it does help to get it out even if its typeing on here with people that have gone thru basically the samething. Alot of good people on here that will listen and give support when you need it all you have to do is type.

Dave

Hi Susan

by donb - 2011-02-05 11:02:58

Welcome!! I'm happy not to have endured some of the discomforting statements you were given about your upcoming ICD. If the medical people gave you this info, shame on them. There are some positive things to look at also, first of all you are fortunate to have a much smaller ICD today. My 1st PM was larger than todays ICDs'. AS I'm also a skinny person, no fat, my 1st implant bugged me for a few months but down the long road of 18 years each replacement kept getting smaller.
My present PM, my 4th is now on my right side, very thin and have no problem doing any kind of physical work. I might also mention I'm on my 2nd pair of leads, no problem. Why the 2nd set of leads??? Well, I physically abused my implants with lots of bull work and still do. I've always felt it's best to live life to the fullest. Being active has given me many good years, like 79 of them. I want to suggest you have a good sit down relationship with your Cardiologist before your surgery. This is important!!! I find too many PM/ICD patients in our group just are not getting positive answers from their Drs' donb

Discuss with your EP

by turboz24 - 2011-02-05 12:02:00

I would discuss your concerns with your EP. There are choices in the implant location, under the skin, under the breast for women, and under the muscle.

If you think it's appearance will bother you, definately choose under the breast or under the muscle location. I wish I had known about the sub-pectoral implant choice before I got mine, since it really bugs me. Your concern about it's appearance is completely valid and your EP should listen to this.

I do still feel my ICD even after 3+ years, probably because there is so little skin over it. I'm aware of the ICD most of the time, sometimes it aches, sometimes it gives me that nice stabbing pain, but that's all par for having a foreign object in your body.

See my first EP didn't say anything about it's appearance, discomfort, etc and I was really shocked at it's appearance and that it just simply hurt. My current EP is more aware of those issues and said it will probably always cause me some level of discomfort no matter where it's implanted. I'm more happy with a doctor warning you about possible issues than just glossing over them.

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