Terrfied

Terrfied

by Ileen - 2017-11-27 16:50:30

I hear you loud and clear! I dont have an ICD but had a NSVT attack last Tuesday night, was dizzy and felt faint.. I had a 3 secound 12 beat NSVT attack the download showed. The dr today was very non plussed about it. I told him I was afraid to drive. He said no , dont worry, if you faint , just call us if you live or the the hospital! What!!!??? So, I am even more scared now. I guess they dont care about me cuase I am 65 or something. But yes I am afraid to exercise now. I wanted a ICD but just have a pacemaker. I was hoping he would want to put one in now but no. Dont be afraid ! You are safe. God bless. I dont know about me!!! Ileen

Terrfied

by FingerPaint - 2017-11-27 17:09:49

I know what you mean, my Cardiologists told me I can exersize as normal but even before I knew I had another episode I was too afraid to. Now I'm not sure if I'll ever move again. I do have faith in the doctors helping me and I'm sure they are doing what's best for you.

Cardiac Rehab

by Grateful Heart - 2017-11-27 21:50:39

Afraid to exercise or move?  I remember those concerns.  I didn't know about this site or anyone who had a device.  I was afraid if I moved the wrong way my CRT-D would shock me.

So after learning about Cardiac Rehab, I asked my Cardiologist if I could go.  My thinking was if something was going to happen while I exercised, that was the place to be.... surrounded by nurses and a crash cart. So I exercised hard to test my heart and device.  Nothing bad happened, in fact, I got healthier and lost weight!  Eventually I transitioned to a gym on my own, feeling confident that I was ok.  That was over 8 years ago. 

Our pacemakers/ ICD's have so many settings.  There is an ATP setting (anti-tachycardia pacing) that kicks in to pace you out of VT by speeding up your HR and then slowing it back down to send your heart back into normal rhythm, thereby avoiding a defib shock.  I've felt it a few times and to me, it feels like hard PVCs.  I believe some pacemakers have this feature as well....but not all. 

Ileen, you could check with your device company to see if your device has this feature.

I think it would help you both.  Talk to your Cardios about it.  I can't praise and recommend Cardiac Rehab enough.  Find a good one and give it a try.

Grateful Heart   

Cardiac Rehab

by FingerPaint - 2017-11-27 22:07:07

That's actually some really good and concrete advice. I don't actually know much about my device. My mental image is that you go into a really bad state again and this thing unloads and shocks you out of it. I have no idea sort of how to think about my situation. But you made a couple of good points of things I can actually do. Thanks!

It takes time to trust your device

by Grateful Heart - 2017-11-27 22:22:10

The more you learn about it and your condition, the more you will come to accept and trust it.

These devices are there to enhance our quality of life.  Knowledge is power and acceptance really is key.  Stay positive!

Grateful Heart 

Thank you

by Ileen - 2017-11-29 18:05:48

I will ask my pacemaker guys if mine is equipped with this. I doubt it as I think my Dr would have said so. But can ask.Thank you Grateful Heart!!