I had an ICD fitted 11/12 - when will it be comfortable

[standupandsmile]

Hello and Seasons Greeting to all,

My story is that I had a Cardiac Arrest 30/10 at my Judo class - ultra lucky for me, the I had effective life saving CPR given immediately, and the First Responder was on site with a defib within 15 minutes and successfully restarted my heart. 42 tough days later I was discharged from hospital. have had some major surgery (coincidental finds -so Open Heart Surgery to repair an enlarged Aorta).

I had an ICD fitted on 10/12 - i am finding "it" very uncomfortable - more so than my open heart wounds. Not pain, but very tight, very sore when touched etc

Can others who have had an ICD fitted, please comment on when I should start to feel comfortable?

I'm 52 and before 30/10 I was ultra fit and healthy (seems like a lifetime ago !!!)

Cheers

Paul

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum! A colleague had one fitted s few years ago. It took about two weeks to settle. I would suggest if it is still uncomfortable in another week go to see your GP to check things and make sure there is no underlying infection.

[RamblingAl]

I had an ICD fitted in October 2016 and was told that it would take 6 months before everything settled down. I had an infection in the site about a month after the op. and the worry initially was that it was rejection but fortunately antibiotics sorted it and I have had no problems since. It was probably about a year before I could steel myself to touch it. For the first 6 months I couldn't lay on my left side, but now the problem is that I forget it's there most of the time. Patience.

[MissisF]

Hi

Happy job is right. The Facebook ICD uk forum will help you to get a picture of the spectrum of normal for ICD implant. It’s a reassuring group just like this one . If you had it ‘under the muscle’ it’ll take much longer to feel ok. But however it was fitted its a big intrusion into your body!

My OH was also fit when he had his HA. It has taken him a long time to get used to it & at first kept saying ‘ I hate this thing’ for weeks after implantation. I think it’s partly because as a fit person you’re very in tune with your body. He’s now got used to it but it took many months. He’s back at the gym & much happier. That said, if you feel any heat or pain, do phone the hospital or go to your GP. Good Luck.

[Alison_L]

Hi. I had my icd fitted in July. It took 6 to 8 weeks before it was "comfortable", and I'm still very aware of it now. We're all different - some people on here say it was fine within a few days. Lucky them!

I assume you haven't been allocated a community Heart Failure Nurse yet? (It was a couple of months before I first saw mine). In the meantime, if you have any worries, speak to the hospital - someone on the cardiac ward should be able to answer any questions. Unless you have a GP who is a cardiac specialist they are unlikely to be helpful other than to offer painkillers.

Good luck xx

[Heartofsoul]

Hi standupandsmile

My icd was done end of August and I'd say it took a good 12 weeks before it stopped bothering me so much .that tightness was absolutely horrific sore and I found every movement pulled on it,this will ease up just be mindful of your body and rest as much as you can as it is still early days. I had a stitch that didn't dissolve then an infection just 3 weeks ago after they removed it but it's healed up nicely.it sometimes bothers me now and it's a little tender to touch but not painful. If ever I had any concerns the device clinic were always helpful over the phone.you'll get some assurance at the 6 week check and a home monitor to keep an eye on your device which is very reasurring.hope this helps as it's a scary thing to face.