CRT - D Pacemaker Part 4

My journey towards being fully CRT dependant continues.

My previous posts tell how I was opened up twice to get the CRT-D pacemaker into my body and wired up. Unfortunately, the left ventricle wire was touching the Phrenic nerve and I jump everytime the pacemaker kicked in a bit like the dead frogs leg attached to a battery. In the end they switched it off.

10 weeks latter I'm back in to be opened up for a third time. My EP wasn't taking any chances took along all the full pacemaker tool kit, two other EP's and an expert from the makers of the pacemaker. This was in addition to the other theatre staff.

The procedure should have taken an hour but took three hours and they finally got the wire in place. The next day I had the pacemaker configured and now, as I type this, the world is a far better place - even though my shoulder is on fire and I am doped up with pain killers.

I hope to have the CRT-D pacemaker fully switch on and working by Christmas. I had hoped to get some celebrity to do the actual turning on (like they do with Christmas lights) but this attempt at humour fell flat.

For those considering the CRT Option I would say go for it. It offers the best chance of getting back to normality there is.

[Beehive1]

Glad it went as planned this time. Hopefully the shoulder pain will ease off. Your reference to the frog transported me back to an incident involving a very naughty boy at school...

[CDreamer]

Pleased to see you have retained your SOH, best wishes for a great recovery. x

[pottypete1]

It all sounds a great ordeal from start to finish.

I an glad you feel a lot better and I hope things continue to progress for you.

Sounds like you had a good team.

Best wishes

Pete

[jeanjeannie50]

I have to admit I don't really understand anything about CRT-D pacemakers. Do they differ to a normal pacemaker? It sounds as though everything went well this time and I hope your painful shoulder soon eases. Why is there a wait before the pacemaker is fully switched on?

Best wishes for a healthy life ahead.

Jean

[Hidden in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi Jean,

I think I have got my head around this one.

My heart has dodgy spark plug and this means that it beats erratically. A CRT Pacemaker will essentially synchronise the beating of both ventricles, reducing the pressure within my heart and making it more efficient.

For this to work a CRT pacemaker is implanted in my chest and leads are placed into the right and left ventricles. After it’s all in place they will burn out my hearts natural pacemaker leaving me dependant on the electronic pacemaker for the rest of my life. (this is the bit that freaks people out).

The D bit stands for Defibrillator – it just sits there monitoring my heart waiting for a lethal heart rhythm to develop. If I do develop one of these rhythms it will shock my heart back to normality.

A normal pacemaker has one lead into the right ventricle (?). It works in conjunction with your own natural pacemaker. Kicking in when the heart beats drops down to a dangerous level.

Regards

Ogilvie

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I have a regular pacemaker 99% dependent on it. Got used to idea now

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your clear explanation Ogilvie. It's absolutely amazing what can be carried out to the heart in order for us to feel better. I hope this will improve your life greatly and I'll be interested to hear you report back on how successful it is. Jean

[Wesman90]

I had a similar problem where they couldn’t get the wire in but by going through the groin and wrist two surgeons managed it

[Hidden in reply to Wesman90]

Hi Wesman,

Glad it all worked out for you. It sounds like you are a bit ahead of me. Can I ask, have you found the CRT pacemaker a benifit ?

Regards

Ogilvie

[Wesman90 in reply to Hidden]

I have for the best part of two years but now this node is interfering with it. Pace maker is running at 46% at the minute but will run me at 100% after node ablation

[Hidden in reply to Wesman90]

Hi Wesman,

Everything I read suggests that you will feel the benifit of being "more machine than man"!!

Just remeber to tell the wife that irons, hoovers, cookers are all out as they interfere with the pacemaker. TV remotes, beer fridges are all OK.

Cheers

Ogilvie

[Wesman90 in reply to Hidden]

Ha ha sounds about right. I am in on the 17 for ablation hope to be a lot better after that

[Dodie117]

Maybe Mick Jagger would do it and sing - Jumping Jack Flash.🙏

[nickibmobile]

I've got one too and it's been great, it was scary thinking it was reliant on a little box to make my heart beat but as my body wasn't doing it properly any more I soon got over that fear!! Unfortunately I still take lots of medication but overall I am happy, and I felt better immediately. Merry Christmas to one and all x