First symptomatic vtach experience
I received my ICD at 8 weeks pregnant after surviving SCA. I'm now 34 weeks pregnant!!! I've been told I have been having regular small runs of Nonsustained vtach since my SCA event but I have never felt any side effects from them--- until today. Today I got to experience my first symptomatic vtach and it definitely scared me. I was actually sitting in the waiting room at my OB appt and got tunnel vision like I was going to black out. Since I work at the hospital where all of my doctors are, I walked over to the EP clinic and the nurse downloaded my device and saw the 10 beat run. She didn't seem overly concerned by it since I have been having it intermittently. I guess I have just never felt any symptoms besides lightheadedness and shortness of breath. The loss of control is terrifying to me and sometimes I feel like I'm just a ticking time bomb waiting for something to happen. I hope that as more time passes, I am able to cope better with each situation and circumstance. I know all of you will understand. Thanks for listening and for any prayers, words of encouragement, and support! I feel like my heart will calm back down some hopefully if I can just make it through the rest of this pregnancy!
3 Comments
My heart goes out to you
by Gotrhythm - 2017-05-26 11:30:01
My heart goes out to you. I cannot imagine how scary coping with a vtach episode while eight months pregnant would be. I think you must be very brave and amazingly strong if you are able to sit up and type and write coherently afterward.
The bright note here is that the ICD DID kick in. It DID stop the vtach and you didn't pass out or arrest. Scarry as the experience was, it's important to remember that you and your baby survived it, I think.
Living with a heart that needs assistance from a mechanical device presents a philosophical challenge that is new to our species. We are having to learn for ourselves how to cope because there are no historical models, no Bible stories, no fables or folktales about folks dealing with pacemakers, ICDs and CRTs.
Many people however have had to cope with a loss of control of one kind or another. The wisdom they all share is that we must learn to distinguish what we can control from what we can't. Learn to control what we can, and find acceptance of what we can't.
That's not easy. But it does pay off. In the end you are not only living, you have a life worth living.
I will be praying for you.
Vtach episodes
by Rhythmstorm - 2017-05-26 12:48:27
Hi, I am new as of today on here and I already feel like I can get some answers and comfort with just having an ablation as well as a Biotronik pacemaker implanted 3 weeks ago. I have started having, what I believe is, vtach episodes lasting from about 30 seconds to a few minutes. I usually notice when I make a body move such as bending, leaning, going from sitting to a standing position and even, at times, when I roll over in bed. I don't smoke or drink alcahol and am really watching what I eat. I kinda thought and hoped all or most of the arrythmia would subside after the ablation and implant but they tell me that my pacemaker has to learn my heart, even though they program the PM when it is implanted as well as the interogations and EKGs from time to time.For me I can feel the interogation when it is being done. I sure hope they can get a better control of this miserable arrythmia. Sorry I babbled on but it is my first post and I thought I would give enough info for some comments and comparisons. Thank you all very much!
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A properly implanted and adjusted pacemaker will not even be noticeable after you get over the surgery.
vtach
by islandgirl - 2017-05-25 00:31:47
The loss of control also scares me. My upcoming 1-year 'rebirthday' is causing me some anxiety. I had a SCA about 10 months ago. My pacemaker, for sick sinus syndrome, showed I went quickly from vtach to vfib to full arrest for 10 minutes and then drugs brought me into vfib for 10 min, 5 shocks by EMS, (AED doesn't work with no heart rhythm), a total of 20 min. of CPR, and I survived with no deficits. I was fortunate to collapse in the EP's waiting room right after checking in, and a patient alerted the receptionist I had collapsed. My EP saved my life with immediate CPR!! I received an ICD a couple of months later after wearing a life vest. The EP tells me I can plan on getting shocked and I would probably pass out before the shock, as I am being paced out of vtach runs. He says I'm now protected. I am on atenolol to keep my pulse lower. II see my EP next week. I am grateful every day. We will continue to heal and we know we are very fortunate to survive a SCA out of the hospital. Best of luck with the birth of your child.