11 Shocks from ICD
Hi all, yep I have had 11 shocks since September 2010, the first was while at breakfast with my wife; seems as if I had a bad tachycardia run on my heart it it stopped completely, after I went down I had no knowledge of what happened except everyone running around the resturant saying call 911 and my wife crying. The funny thing I felt ok when I revived because my ICD fired off and brought me into a normal sinuis rhyhm.
Since then I have rece3ived more than another 10 shocks and 6 at one time spaced one behind the other in October. To say that this ahd reduced the quality of my life would be an understatement.
I was sent for a Heart abaltion for VT on March 13th this year was let out of the hospital afetr an overnight stay went hoem and on the 17th of March went backinto VT again.
I am now reduced to a peocedure called a DOR, this from a Thoraic surgeon, 2 days later I got a call from my Cardio doc he wants to set me up to be evaluted at UNC-Chapel Hill to be put on a heart transplant list btw he started me on Xanax anyone else in this situation? Thanks for listening sorry did not mean to be long winded.
8 Comments
Been there done that!
by Anapeg - 2011-05-16 02:05:48
My ICD was put in April 2011 and two (@) weeks later I had what was referred to as a "storm". I was shocked fifty five (55) times in one hour and twenty minutes. The last twenty seven where at full voltage.
As with yourself the quality of life has deteriorated do to my fear of having my heart rate elevate again. They have slowed my heart rate to a point simply sitting in my Lazy boy chair tires me out and yet I am terrified to do much else. Sorry for rambling on but to find someone else who has some experience is nice.
Do you see the "flash" when the ICD hits you? Also, am I a baby or does it hurt you as well?
Anapeg
by robbg2 - 2011-05-17 02:05:02
Wow you got me beat for a one day period and you are correct about the quality of life thing,
Sounds as if we are almost in identical boats my friend.
You are the first person I have come across about seeing the "flash" when the ICD hits someitmes I can almost hear it winding up to shock and you are right it does hurt like H-ll as far as I am concerned.
Met a former electrician who was at UNC with me he said he got shcoed on a trnsaforner and his ICD going off was worse. My battery life needs changing in about 6 -9 months.
robbg2
by Anapeg - 2011-05-18 01:05:18
You can hear it wind up for another "poke". My wife was holding me and would let go as the thing started to whine. The bit about the electrician is interesting cause people tend to dismiss you when you tell them how badly it hurts.
to many shockes
by gregnann06 - 2011-05-23 02:05:19
to each an everyone i no how bad the shock can be an when my icd needs replaced i will never have none put in my chest in 2009 sept 2nd they put my icd in than 3days later i was shoked 14 times in 15 min 4 at 700 an 10 at 900 an my life is so messed up i cant do much from fear of being shocked i am 50 years old an have so many medical problems so i feel for each an everyone of u god bless
Poor poor us...
by bunnykin - 2011-05-23 02:05:31
My dear friends, I too am glad that I have some people to share this painful lesson of getting shocks from our ICDs. I had 5 consecutive shocks from my device last year January and life was just not the same anymore. Fell into depression for almost 5 months and like you all say here, was so afraid to allow heart to race again; So NO exercise for a year till today!! Used to do a lot of exercise eg on the cross trainer, but cos of the VT and 5 shocks at one go, I was fearful till now. Funny and ironical how a device built to save us is here to scare us....just so so unfair life can be sometimes. But I still praise God for technology. We have and can afford the ICD to help us. Pls don't let this stop us from LIVING. We have to go on with the help of the members here. I will also have to look into the possibility of yet another ablation (my 4th ablation) if my tachycardias won't stop occurring. Need all the support I can get.
Keep you all posted when I next see my EP. Take care and God Bless Robbg2. from: bunnykin
too many shockes
by robbg2 - 2011-05-23 09:05:52
Yeah gregann I have found out when I think I have it bad I always seem to run across someone who is worse off than I am. I had open heart surgery when I was 38 and have had to live with this stuff since 1986 and I know how you feel just don't giv up ok?
Myself I am to have to go through waht is called a DOR procedure very soon and also I am being put on the heart transplant list, sometimes I ask why me and I am still waitng for an answer maybe to help someone else while I am still alive.
Please do not let depression overtake you just hang in there, me I will be draged kicking and screaming into that goodnight, I'm just saying, Good luck my friend.
You know you're wired when...
You take technology to heart.
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How is your battery doing?
by ElectricFrank - 2011-05-16 02:05:12
Are they keeping tabs on the battery in your ICD? That's a lot of firings (as you know better than any of us). I don't know how many are generally available.
You are fortunate to have the ICD.
best of luck,
frank