Debribillator

[Yasyass]

Hi everyone has anyone had a defribillatotr and if so after having it how long till I can do normal activities and also what is longest anyone has lived with one thank you

[daveofpensby]

Hi had ICD fitted last February four months ago I’m back to normal activities now, it’s only the first 6 weeks or so you have to be careful and take care in case you dislodge any of the wires. There’s a lot more info on Liverpool heart and chest hospital site

[Yasyass in reply to daveofpensby]

Thank you for your reply if you don’t mind me asking why Did u have it thank you

[daveofpensby in reply to Yasyass]

Yes no problem I had H A 2 years ago ended up being diagnosed with Heart Failure with a ejection fraction of 34% which just put me in the group who require an ICD fitting as a precautionary measure ( as some one said like having a guardian angel on your shoulder)

[Sunnie2day in reply to daveofpensby]

Would you mind expanding on your reply - how has it improved the quality of your life? Is your EF improved, are you able to be more physically active? (and the 6m£ question - how long before it stopped feeling 'weird' in your chest?)

[AyrshireK]

My Dad had a pacemaker fitted early in March this year, he left hospital on 19th March. He's more or less back to normal activities - he has a bit of discomfort with the pacemaker placement being quite close to his shoulder so movement there is a bit odd.

He needed his because he had open heart surgery to replace his aortic heart valve and a bit of aorta at the end of February - during surgery they discovered he had more calcification than expected so surgery was longer than anticipated and over the next day he developed heart block and his heart rate was dropping to around 50-70 bpm so had to get pacemaker fitted.

He hasn't seen a doctor or had any cardiac follow up (apart from phonecalls) since his hospital discharge and he's got himself back up to speed on his own. He's been helping with DIY about the house, been walking regularly, been gardening and yesterday was out on a bike going up and down the private lane at his house. He's hoping to get his driving licence rearranged as soon as possible so him and mum can get away in their motor home as soon as the restrictions from covid are lifted.

Katie

[daveofpensby in reply to AyrshireK]

Hi Kate

Yes he’s doing well that’s what it’s all about getting on with life and building his confidence up. Funny thing I had first contact with hospital today after having mine fitted in February it was a telephone consultation with specialist who fitted my ICD

[080311 in reply to AyrshireK]

Hi Kate,

So glad to read your post, your Dad is doing so well after his rocky start. He is certainly a fighter, hope they can get away for a break soon.

Take good care Pauline

[AlaninSpain]

I had an ICD fitted 3.5 years ago as a precaution, but in reality never got back to normal. I used to do a lot of hill walking but was strongly advised against, I used to do spinning, but that's now a no no. I have to remember not to put my mobile in the left hand pocket or to my left ear, don't go through the 'arch' at airport security. In general life is 'normal', but there are a number of little things that I have to remember not to do.

[Lurganspur]

Hi

I had an ICD fitted in February just be careful for the first 6 weeks or so as the leads settle in, I found it a bit strange the first few weeks but now feel as I’m getting used to it as I start to forget it’s even there, had my first transmission done by remote on my home hub as with all Covid19 going on I couldn’t attend hospital & all was fine, mine is a Boston Medtronic & has a 15yr battery life

All the best

[Driver11]

Hi my ICD is nearly 2 yrs old and with battery life of 10 yrs. took a little while to get used to having it fitted but now it's just a normal part of me. You just have to be careful but you can live a normal life if you want to

Good luck it does get easier with time

[Yasyass in reply to Driver11]

U see I lived abroad and my children and grandkids live abroad would it still be possible to visit them and have long stays

[Driver11]

Once the COVID issue has died down there's no reason why you can't go abroad for a long stay, my wife and I have just returned home after being in the US for 14 weeks. You should check with your doctors that you are cleared to travel

[Dixy]

My husband had his first ICD fitted in 2001, nearly 19 years ago and is on his 4th or 5th one. He never got back to "normal" but it has saved his life on many occasions. I think they first fitted them in the 1990s so there are people who have had them over 20 years.

[Yasyass in reply to Dixy]

Thank you so much for your reply I didn’t realize how helps and how long you can have them best regards

[daveofpensby]

I’ve had mine for 4 months and I’m virtually back to normal, I can still feel it there but you get used to it. The only thing I don’t do yet is swimming and most of that is because everyone can see it , I suppose I could wear t shirt

[Hidden]

My husband had his ICD fitted in December 2015 - he is also an insulin dependent diabetic. He had to take it easy for the first few months but now he goes to the gym & does everything he used to do. We often go abroad - there are some procedures you have to follow at the airport - you don't go through the normal security electronic gate for one. He also needs a letter from his doctor confirming he is diabetic and carries needles. His ejection fraction is much improved & his consultant at the Cardiac Unit has discharged him from yearly checks but he can phone if there's a problem. He has two ICD checks a year - one at the Cardiac Unit & one remotely at home.

[jowalk6]

I had my second icd fitted 18 months ago. After 8 weeks was okay to do most things. Just take your time and don't rush things hun x

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Of you check carefully you will find nobody comes with a EXP date. If you then look how long somebody will live after a bypass, valve surgery or having an ICD fitted you not find an answer as there is no answer! Much depends on age at date of surgery/procedure, underlying conditions and any that develop subsequently! I found a paper on life expectancy post bypass. It was utter rubbish as ignored the factors I just mentioned and cause of death! A former colleague's father is over 40 years post bypass but that would not be a possibility if he had the bypass at 75! Someone I was working with had an ICD fitted at 30 when he was found to have the same condition as Fabrice Muamba who was "in effect dead" for 78 minutes after collapsing on a football pitch. Without other health conditions these two could live a normal lifespan. With an ICD you may actually live longer. My niece's father-in-law died nearly 18 months ago but his ICD kicked in and saved his life. All you can do is improve you chances with appropriate lifestyle changes and medication.