Icd experiences

[Jactaf]

Hi, I’m about to have an ice and would appreciate any info/tips/ experiences, thanks

[RufusScamp]

It depends on what sort you are having, but I found it a fairly straightforward procedure. I was kept in overnight, and have had no problems since. A bit of bruising and soreness for a couple of days, and you have to be careful with the arm that side for a few weeks. I was told I could not drive for a week, and had to notify the DVLA. I also told my car insurance firm. Neither caused any difficulties.

Think carefully about what clothes you take. I found a loose fitting blouse/shirt and cardigan easy to deal with. If you live alone, a stock of ready-meals for a couple of days would be useful.

If you look around this site, you should find a few other accounts of people's experiences.

[Jactaf in reply to RufusScamp]

Thank you so much , did they sedate you at all ? ‘ it all depends what you read doesn’t it ....and do you feel a lot better now

[RufusScamp in reply to Jactaf]

Yes, I was offered sedation, which I accepted, and I think it benefitted the surgeon as much as myself, because I was more relaxed. It hasn't made a huge difference, but I was not having much in the way of symptoms before. I've got my 6-month checkup next week, so we shall see...

[Curlyman83 in reply to RufusScamp]

Same here. Had an ICD fitted in January - all went smoothly. Lots of bruising and a little soreness but the most difficult thing to deal with was getting used to living with the device - I was told not to lift my left arm above shoulder height for four weeks (have you ever tried putting on a r shirt without raising your arms?) and sleeping on my left side was very uncomfortable.

Now however, all that has passed and I often forget it’s there...only when I see the scar and the large box shape protruding from under my chest.

I wasn’t put out - I was given a local anaesthetic. I wasn’t told anything about driving, though I’m not allowed to drive until June anyway due to my cardiac arrest.

Hope it all goes well for you 👍🏼

[Curlyman83 in reply to Curlyman83]

T-shirt not r shirt!!!

[Jactaf in reply to Curlyman83]

Haha I read t.shirt !! Didn’t even notice.....specsavers next stop

[Jactaf in reply to Curlyman83]

Thank you so much

[Driver11]

Hi, mine was fitted Sep 18 and apart from a little discomfort for a few days there's been no problem. Have a bedside machine that monitors me and keeps in touch with Harefield. You do get used to having it and you get on with normal life. keep your passport with you for airport security etc and good luck

[Jactaf in reply to Driver11]

Thank you !!

[Bluemoon47 in reply to Jactaf]

procedure please.

[Bluemoon47]

Could you tell me how long you have had to wait for this procedure please.

[Jactaf in reply to Bluemoon47]

Ah, good question. I don’t know yet,.....I was only informed of its imminent insertion yesterday . I was told ‘’a few weeks ‘’ , have you been waiting long ? The results of my cardiac mri took 3 months !!! I’m hopeful though

[Bluemoon47 in reply to Jactaf]

I had my heart attack June 2020 and a second echocardiogram in September (EF 20%), so have been on the waiting list since October.

[Jactaf in reply to Bluemoon47]

Bless you, it’s such a worry isn’t it.......my EF is 33 ( I didn’t even know what that meant til last week ! ) I think a lot depends on where you live, and Covid of course, I’m in South Yorkshire . Hope you get sorted soon .

[Bluemoon47 in reply to Jactaf]

Thank you for your reply. As the normal EF is 50 to 70% a reading of 33% is probably considered quite good, so I hope things improve for you soon.

[Jactaf in reply to Bluemoon47]

Thanks, people have been so helpful on here. Any info is useful...and reassuring

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

I had an ICD fitted in August 2019, after heart attack/cardiac arrest in December 2018. Here's a link to a post I made a couple of weeks after the implant.The consultant suggested an ICD as there was a possibility of an arrhythmia in the future which could cause another arrest - the current thinking is that the chance of an arrhythmia is much less 1%, so to date while the device hasn't been called into action, it is reassuring to know that it there in case it is ever needed.

healthunlocked.com/bhf/post...

[jowalk6]

Hi Jactaf. All went smoothly when I had mine fitted. Just brushing and some pain afterwards. You will get used to having it there, it's like a guardian angel 😇 x

[Jactaf in reply to jowalk6]

That’s great, thanks

[Bigheart58]

I had mine fitted in February 2020. You should take a look at the very helpful booklet that the BHF publishes about these amazing devices. There are a few things to bear in mind, in addition to the obvious such as airport metal detectors. For example, I avoid standing too close to the microwave or over the induction hob (it’s probably fine if you’re quite tall). Best also to keep your phone away from the device. As others have said, it’s a bit uncomfortable for the first couple of weeks but you will soon forget it’s there most of the time. Best of luck with the procedure.

[Jactaf in reply to Bigheart58]

Thanks a lot......hoping I can still use me iPad !!!!

[Curlyman83 in reply to Jactaf]

Just don’t lie it on your chest and you’ll be fine

[Jactaf in reply to Curlyman83]

Hahah, that’s never been a thing for me.......think beached whale ...thanks tho

[Seagull51148]

HelloI’m on my third ICD, over 13 years.

I have Brugada syndrome and have had 60 plus shocks, sometimes as many as 3 in a night,from the devices , over the years. Thankfully, all but one shock had been when I’ve either been asleep or dozing, as they are not a pleasant experience, on the whole. The one while awake was when I was in hospital, luckily, but it is quite traumatic. There is no pain at all, just a ‘thump’ in your chest, that can vary in intensity from nothing to feeling like you’ve been kicked by a horse,and a feeling of panic. On the other side, I’ve have remained asleep for 2 shocks and haven’t known about them until I was told by the monitoring staff at the hospital.

I haven’t had any shocks for 4 years now, after a ablation which hopefully, has fixed my problem, and hope I will never have another shock, but, I am grateful that the ICDs have saved my life many times.

[Jactaf in reply to Seagull51148]

Thanks for taking the time , it sounds like a positive experience on the whole. If I can dodge the horse......😀

[Seagull51148 in reply to Jactaf]

Best of luck, I hope you never have to experience a shock.Even if I never need it again, I know that my ICD will protect me for the rest of my life.

[Jactaf in reply to Seagull51148]

Yes, makes me wonder about driving ??

[Seagull51148]

You are okay to drive after a week of having it fitted, but, it’s at least a six month break if you have a shock.

[Jactaf in reply to Seagull51148]

One thing......how do you find sleeping on your left side now it’s all settled in.....it’s my favourite

[Jactaf in reply to Jactaf]

Thanks for all the info, hope everything stays shock-free xx

[Seagull51148]

Sleeping on your left is fine, well it is for me. For a long while I could only sleep on my left side as I got it in my head that I didn’t get as many shocks if I slept on that side.😂😂. You really do get used to an ICD, after a couple of months, and will forget it’s there.