Combo

I already have a pacemaker and my EP said that it won't be long that I will have to have an ICD also. He said something about a combo. Can the ICD take the job over for a pacemaker and do it's job also? Or is that a stupid question? Is the combo very big and heavy? I am a slim person and am dreading having one of these put in. Don't get me wrong, I understand and am thankful that there is a piece of machinery that will save my life, and for that I am thankful. I think it's more or less that I am very nervous about getting "kicked" with one of these things. Is it true that it can sometimes feel like a horse kicks you in the chest??? Now THAT is scary. Thanks...

Pacie

7 Comments

Me too...

by chip - 2009-04-04 02:04:17

The docs will remove your pacemaker and replace it with the ICD which is just a little larger. You probably won’t really notice the difference in size once it’s implanted and you’re healed up.

The ICD can take over all of the functions of your current pacemaker plus it has the added benefit of being able to save your life should you experience an event. My EP calls the ICD an “Emergency Room In Your Chest”.

I’m in a situation similar to yours, my ejection fraction is getting worse and my doc tells me I too will soon require an ICD.

I’m sure some of the great folks here that currently have an ICD will respond to your “kicked in the chest” question. I look at the thought of the ICD going off as the better of two evils – the other being death. At this point I’d take the kick any day!

Problems

by SMITTY - 2009-04-04 02:04:30

Hello Spinnerlady,

As Chip said, I also think you should get your PM checked out, especially since there are so many things that can cause symptoms like yours.

That is not to say the person doing the last checks did not change something, but there is hardly anyway for you to find out unless you can get a copy of the last two printout that were made of the checkups. For that very reason I get copies of the printouts made at each checkup I have. Sometimes getting that copy may not be the easiest thing you will do, but if you insist hard enough they will usually come through. Or you can try the ruse I have used a time or two and that is I'm going out of town and I want a copy of the information to carry with me in the event I need help that involves my heart or PM because I want to be sure whoever knows what my settings are.

Be all that as it may, the only way you can find out what is going on, be it your PM or something else and considering the wild ride you have had recently, I hope you can see the Dr soon.

Good luck,

Smitty

ICD

by Katielou - 2009-04-04 02:04:49

Hi Pacie,
Sorry to hear that you have to now move on to an ICD and I hope I can give you some reassurance that it really isn't too bad.
The ICD is combined with a pacemaker and will give you the same therapy as the pacemaker plus the added bonus of getting your heart going again if necessary. Both are contained in the one 'package'. It will be a little larger than the pacemaker but most surgeons are quite sympathetic regarding the placement on ladies. Mine is under the muscle above my breast and it really is hardly noticeable - just a slight bulge - you would never know there is a metal box under there. Some of my friends are only aware of it when I have made them feel the bump. It doesn't stop me wearing strappy tops etc. You are correct about the shock therapy but everyone is different - some hardly feel anything and others do receive a bit of a kick but it's over in an instant.
I know it's frightening to think of the future but you will get used to it if and when the time comes and I'm sure you'll be surprised just how quickly you'll adapt.
I know I dreaded the first shock but when it happened I was glad to have experienced it and I didn't have to go on wondering. Added to that, it had saved my life so that has to be good eh?

You'll be fine I promise you.

Always here if you want to chat.

Take care,
Lesley

shock

by lb151 - 2009-04-04 03:04:40

Good luck and dont fret too much. If you receive a shock,you will most likely be very ill and wont care at all. I have had 2,,The first I lost consciousness and the second my heart rate was so high and I was so scared of dying that I didnt mind it all

Question

by ElectricFrank - 2009-04-04 11:04:44

Something I don't understand. I keep hearing comments that a person may need an ICD soon. How do they determine that an ICD is needed when the likely reason is VFib which has a high likelihood of death. It seems like when the point is reached where an ICD may be needed that in fact it IS needed.

frank

Remember, Frank??

by pacie - 2009-04-05 07:04:27

I doubt everyone will want to read my long post again that I wrote a little while back about all the problems that jumped on me all at once seems like. If you'll look back a few weeks ago I posted about having an EP study for my Wolff Parkinson's White Syndrone and seeing what he could do for me as far as my heart rate staying in tachy mode. He put me on several different meds until he could get me in for an ablation May 11th. It was earlier than that but my gallbladder got infected and I had to be hospitalized and have it removed. Then while that was going on...my mitral and tricuspid valve started leaking (mild to moderate) with 40% EF and I swelled so bad that I didn't have any knees or ankles and it then my face. My cardio put me on diuretics for that too. Well, when I went in for my consult with the EP last Tuesday for the ablation, he found all of this out and told me that he was going to keep an eye on my valve regurgitation and my EF and if/when it gets to the point that my heart needs some help with that matter...he is going to put in a 3rd lead and an ICD. I probably left out a bunch of stuff but this is the bulk of it, Frank. A lot of things I don't understand very well but I am surfing the net a lot and reading up on stuff to help me understand. And I have read some things that pertain to a new pacemaker/defibrillator combo that is supposed to help people with heart failure, high blood pressure, etc. I have 3rd degree heart block already and after the ablation for the extra connection (WPW) I will be left 100% dependent on my pacemaker. I stay in afib, but now it won't have a chance of putting me in vfib since all channels are blocked, right? He is gonna put me on coreg also, after the ablation.

Thanks

by ElectricFrank - 2009-04-05 11:04:03

Thanks for the follow up. I may have missed your earlier post or my 78yr old brain may need an IBD (Implantable Brain Defibrillator).

It sounds like what he is watching for is the need for a 3 lead pacemaker to help the low EF. That is something that may slowly worsen to the point where you need it.

In my comments I was thinking more about the ICD part of the replacement which won't help the EF. It is only useful for life threatening cardiac arrests or VFib.

Good luck. I hope things improve for you.

frank

You know you're wired when...

You have a little piece of high-tech in your chest.

Member Quotes

So, my advice is to go about your daily routine and forget that you have a pacemaker implanted in your body.