SICD on the Horizon

Hi everyone, this is my first post and just found out about the community through BHF.

I am due to have a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (SICD) fitted shortly and I would be very grateful to hear anyones experiences (good and bad please) since having a similar device fitted. I am 37, had a heart attack a few years back, recent stroke and now have heart failure.

Any info at all on your experiences of living with an SICD and even the fitting procedure would be really appreciated.

[jowalk6]

Hi Hearty, I have one of these. The operation is done while you are awake, don't worry you can't see what they are doing lol. They made an incision just below my left shoulder on my chest for the device, and one around my breast bone for the wires. There will be some pain and bruising afterwards. I went home the day after but you mustn't raise your left arm for 2 weeks. All will be fine and you will soon get used to it. My little boy calls me the bionic woman. x

[captscott in reply to jowalk6]

youve had t-icd i guess. have the leads ,implant site been ok so far

[jowalk6 in reply to captscott]

Yes I had it redone nearly 2 years ago

[Hidden in reply to jowalk6]

Hi jowalk6, thanks very much for replying and great to hear that you are happy with yours and all is going well. Have you had any issues with your little boy knocking the device?, i have 2 young children myself and I am worried about them knocking it by accident. The Cardiologist told me that i would be knocked out for the procedure and that it will be placed next to my ribs just below my armpit on my left side?

[jowalk6 in reply to Hidden]

That's near where I had my first one done. It will be fine with your children hun. I had my first one fitted when my little boy was 8 months old. He knows it's there and has felt it, I just sat him down and explained it to him when he was older. He's 7 now and just knows it's a part of me x

[Hidden in reply to jowalk6]

Thats great jowalk6, thanks again for the reassurance and i will have to do the same with my kids. Its always daunting going for any sort of surgery but the day to day living with the device was more of a concern to me.

[jowalk6 in reply to Hidden]

Don't worry and its reassuring knowing it's there. I'm always here to talk c

[Hidden in reply to jowalk6]

Much appreciated, thank you.