ICD fitted

[Graman53]

Hi, I've just joined the community having recently been fitted with an ICD.

I'd love to hear from others who have had the same treatment and share their experiences.

[sturon]

Hi Graman53.

Welcome to the forum.

My partner had an S-ICD implanted 4 months ago and is recovering now. His was fitted following a sudden cardiac arrest - he has long QT syndrome. We have found the last few months a bit of a challenge but slowly now life is starting to return to normal.

Let us know if there is anything specific you need to ask. Happy to share our experience anytime.

Good luck.

Regards Ron.

[Graman53 in reply to sturon]

Hi Ron,

I had my ICD fitted 2 weeks ago so I'm at the start of my journey.

Glad you and your partner are gradually getting back to normal.

The difficulty for me at the moment is confidence; I feel apprehensive when I leave the safety of my home, yet I can walk at a reasonable pace for 20 minutes and still am able to talk and don't feel short of breath.

Regards

Graman53

[sturon in reply to Graman53]

My partner was the same, and in fact still feels apprehensive in crowed places. He also doesn't like being left alone. It is slowly getting better. To try to get him out and about a little we took a short break to York last week. It was crowded and he coped well. We have two holidays planned and it will be his first post implant airport security check!!!

Talking to other who have had an ICD implanted it gets better with time and confidence builds up. It is a good idea to go to any local support group so you can meet up with other who have an ICD. You didn't say why you have had an ICD, but whatever the reason just remember you are better than us without one, you have your very own paramedic with you all the time.

I am sure given time your confidence will return.

Let us know how you get on.

Regards Ron.

[Graman53 in reply to sturon]

I was in hospital after a heart attack and I had a VF arrest. Doctors decided the best way forward was to implant an ICD.

I've got an appointment in a couple of weeks with the cardiac rehabilitation team.

I 'll let you know how I get on and please let me know how your holidays go.

Regards

Graman53

[Lezzers]

Hi, there is an Facebook group called ICD Support-Uk, which may also be of help to you. The name says is all really!! Best wishes x

[Graman53 in reply to Lezzers]

Thanks for that I will look into it.

[Lezzers in reply to Graman53]

Hi, your story is the same as my husbands, he had massive heart attack followed by cardiac arrest, that was 20 years ago!! He totally lost his confidence & was seriously depressed afterwards, the cardiac rehabilitation was the making of him. He had his ICD fitted 5 years ago. There is another facegroup for people who've had cardiac arrest. There might be something there that could help you as well. At the moment they're doing a GWR attempt to get together the most cardiac arrest survivors to bring attention to CPR training l. It's all very upbeat. I hope you continue to improve xx

[Graman53 in reply to Lezzers]

Thanks for that, it's all good information.

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star]

Hi. I have an ICD fitted too (a CRT-D) and I love the reassurance it gives me. I rarely think about it at all now, except when I'm going through security at the airport. Feel free to message me if there's anything you think I could help you with.

There's been a few posts about ICDs on here before, with lots of positive replies. I will try to find them for you and send you the links.

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star]

healthunlocked.com/bhf/post...

healthunlocked.com/bhf/post...

healthunlocked.com/bhf/post...

healthunlocked.com/bhf/post...

healthunlocked.com/bhf/post...

healthunlocked.com/api/redi...

Lots of happy ICD owners in the replies to these posts, plus the BHF information page, in case you haven't seen it already

[Graman53 in reply to laura_dropstitch]

Thanks Laura, there's lots of good information in the above links.

[AlaninSpain]

Hi Graham

I had an ICD fitted in October 2016 after collapsing with a heart rate of 230 following my third hill walk in 5 days. I was walking because I had collapsed whilst off road cycling and taken to hospital, the wife banned me from going out again on my own. Being no longer allowed out cycling I started spinning but after a fair few months of that passed out near the end of one of the sessions. At the time no one diagnosed a heart problem, just a silly old 68 year old overdoing it. It was then walking for me, but once again had to overdo it.

It took me about 6 months to get my confidence back and to start exercising again, and now some 18 or so months on I have learned to live with it. I walk most days and in fact run 3 walking groups and recently set up a 'Walking for Wellness' group that does shorter and flatter walks for those who need to build up their fitness levels.

Funny enough though I still don't have the confidence to do longer walks on my own.

I have learned to live with the ICD and the very few restrictions that it places on my life, my wife and I have just returned from a fairly hectic week on a cruise in the Adriatic, and I have never been frisked so much, unfortunately never by the attractive female security personnel!

You'll get used to it and remember one day it may save your life!