A worried wife

[29AlphaStWest]

My husband is due to have an ICD fitted. Would like some information on what to expect post operation.

[Wodney1966]

I've had my icd since Jan 2017 and my wife still worry bout me lol

[29AlphaStWest in reply to Wodney1966]

Thanks for your prompt reply

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Fitting an ICD is a relatively simple procedure involving a small incision and a single stitch. A younger friend had one fitted as a day case although sometimes an overnight stay is involved. There are usually driving restrictions for a period afterwards. This varies with the background to ICD fitment and I suggest one of you rings the DVLA - remember no licence equals no insurance. He will need to take it easy for a period afterwards but the length again depends on the background to the implant. Good luck.

[29AlphaStWest in reply to MichaelJH]

Thank you. I’m finding my way round this site at moment can’t always see all of the message. But thank you for your prompt reply

[sturon]

Hi.

It's always a worrying time when you have no experience of these things. My partner had two cardiac arrests in December last year. After many investigations and three weeks in hospital he had an S-ICD implanted. An S-ICD is different to an ICD as the cable does not go inside the vascular system and into the heart. You will find lots of information on the British Heart Foundation site.

Here is the web link:

bhf.org.uk/heart-health/tre...

You will find the nurse specialists are a good source of help, just ask to see one.

As to what to expect after. He will have a small scar where the devise is implanted. He must keep it dry for a couple of weeks. The hospital will tell you about restricting arm movement and also about driving restrictions. Depending on his medical history he may have to inform the DVLA but if he only needs to restrict driving for a month then the DVLA need not be informed. The hospital will guide you on this.

He will want to take things easy for a few weeks post implant but he should quickly recover and be back to normal within six weeks, or so.

Airport security will need to be told if you are going to travel, and he will be given a card to show them. Remember travel insurance need to be up dated to include his ICD.

Induction hobs and other magnetic fields need to be avoided but again he should be told all this and given information. Depending on the situation he may be given a home monitoring unit to download the devise's data regularly, My partner does this once a week.

The company that manufacture many of these devises have a patient web site.

This is the link:

bostonscientific.com/en-US/...

If you are like me you will be watching him all the time, but as time passes that does get easier.

After 6 months my partner and I are finally going on holiday and getting our lives back.

Good luck and if you need anything further drop me a message.

Regards Ron.

[29AlphaStWest in reply to sturon]

Thank you for all your invaluable information and giving me the links, I’m not too good at technology so,it was really helpful and reassuring xx

[sturon in reply to 29AlphaStWest]

Anytime. Remember you are not alone with this and lots of people are here to help you both through this.

Regards Ron.

[29AlphaStWest in reply to sturon]

Thank you so much. The problem is my husband, Ronnie, feels better now than he has in the last few years, mainly because his medication for rheumatoid arthritis has been sorted. He walks the dog daily mows the lawn, general houshold jobs etc. Doesn’t get breathless. He can’t believe he has heart failure but tests show the left ventricle is only working at 29%.

[Bplames]

my husband is 52, had his ICD fitted last friday, he had it done in the afternoon and came out the next morning... has been doing half days at work since Wednesday..quite bruised but says he feels fine in himself...went to have his ICD chequed on Monday and they said it had paced his heart 4 times already...so defo needed one...also they say its like having on board paramedic !! I feel more relaxed now as he has had 5 heart attacks 1st one when he was 39 !! also has 4 stents...your husband will be fine and better of for having one.

Regards Cilla

[29AlphaStWest in reply to Bplames]

Thank you, it’s amazing he’s already back working. Really reassuring. I’m so glad I found this site. I don’t feel alone thank you for taking the time to reply.

My husband had a heart attack aged 49 that was 20 years ago. He’s also got rheumatoid arthritis which over the last few years has caused a lot of pain. During the last 18 months since getting his medication finally sorted he has felt better than ever so can’t understand how he has heart failure and need this defibrillator.

[jim_]

Hi there I had an SCA and subsequently an ICD fitted a week later. The operation and recovery was for me in no way traumatic, and I don’t like hospitals etc.

The incision was small and presented no problems. I had some temporary loss of mobility in my chest and shoulders for a while though this was probably due more to the CPR that kept me alive.

Three months later I am getting on with my life pretty much as before though there is a six month driving ban. It’s a bit wired having this little bump on your chest but it’s not particularly restrictive.

I think of the thing as a seat belt or airbag; something that just might save my life...... if needs be.

Bit of a pain but life is sometimes.

[29AlphaStWest in reply to jim_]

Thank you Jim it’s reassuring to hear your experience

[Emily_BHF]

Hi 29AlphaStWest,

Your husband will be invited to a pre-assessment appointment to discuss what to expect from the day and have the opportunity to ask any questions he/you may have. ICDs are inserted under local anaesthetic, but with sedation, and it will usually take anything from one to three hours to implant an ICD. Your husband will often (but not always) need to stay overnight in hospital and will have his ICD checked thoroughly before he leaves. Most individuals can expect to gradually return to their everyday activities shortly after the procedure. After an ICD system implant, your doctor may want to limit how much he moves the arm that is closest to his implant site, for a short time.

He will then have regular appointments that may be every 3 to 12 months, depending on the type of ICD and if it has delivered any treatment. These follow up appointments will continue. Your husband should feel fully recovered within four to six weeks. For more information about this, please have a look at our website.

Take care,

Emily

[29AlphaStWest in reply to Emily_BHF]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. Really reassuring

[Alice_Ro]

Hi. All the info and link Sturon and others have shared is great. I'll only add my first hand experience of an ICD successfully shocking me to save my life, in case that's helpful motivation on the decision for anyone reading this and weighing up whether to go ahead with the implant.

I had the ICD put in after my first cardiac arrest in April this year and it fired successfully when it happened again in May.

To go from having a 1in10 chance of surviving a cardiac arrest to a 98in100 one (averages only tell you so much, granted) is huge. If I didn't have the ICD I would definitely not be here after my second arrest (I was sleeping alone), but instead I am looking forward to the rest of my life (I'm only 29 so hope I've got lots more living to do!).

The risks associated with the implantatiom are also usually tiny. Ask on your specific case.

I am so thankful to the geniuses that invented these little lifesavers.

Good luck to you both xx

[29AlphaStWest]

Thank you so much. Good Luck &Good Health xx