Last week I suffered with a VT storm, this led to my ICD device shocking me 15 times in 25 minutes. I am really struggling mentally to cope with this... has anyone else had their ICD shock them whilst fully conscious and any advise on how to move forward.
Written by
Paul_heywood
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It’s a string of VTach that is constant and brought on in random pockets. I was diagnosed with DCM last year, but besides the odd flutter the meds seem to have it under control, how wrong could I be.
My ICD detected the prolonged VT, shocked - then after 3 beats I went straight back into VT... it was a vicious circle... the problem being the doctors were a bit stumped as to why, just believe it was a slightly low level of potassium.
I’ve now been prescribed amiodrone - still on the loading dose & I have a referral to the heart specialist at wythenshawe hospital in Manchester to discuss if I have any other options (ablation)
Yes I saw that episode too, buy same as you Jo, I can't remember how they sorted the poor guy out. I do seem to remember they did manage to help him and finally brought it under control.
Paul you poor thing, that must have been so scary and confusing. I am so sorry to hear you went through all that☺
At least you know now that the ICD did it's job. I hope they sort it all out soon for you my friend. I guess right now you feel in limbo.
Hi Paul I suffered a similar episode in July last year 27 times in 3 hours but calmed down after being filled with Amioderone at resuss. Spent 4 days in CCU being observed and having ICD "adjusted" went home a little on edge and now terrified that it was going to happen again. GP not a lot of help but I was able to ring CCU and ICD clinic direct if I needed help or advice. 8 days later just before I was about to return to work it fired again as I was walking down the drive but this time only 4 times and it bought HR back. I was taken to hospital and spent 11days in CCU again being observed. This time had an ICD technician make further adjustments and was put on saturation Amioderone. I returned to work after a short period of convalescence and generally now feel ok. I reacted to Amioderone in the beginning with nausea and dizziness but after reducing to 100mg a day the side effects have gone away. Cardiac nurses have been brilliant with help and advice and medication has been adjusted all round until I was feeling better. I recommend counselling to help put your mind at rest and I promise as time goes by my initial fears have somewhat diminished. Consider that you have an extra failsafe device that will keep you alive when needed. Not everyone has got one of those! Paul I wish well with your recovery and don't be frightened to ask for help from any of the professional agencies out there they all want to help and this site is pretty good as well. Glen
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