Cardiologist suggests a defibrillator

[Fieldhouse]

Hi I had 3 HA last year. The first one damaged my left ventricle and it no longer pumps correctly. My medication hasn’t improved things because of my low BP I am on a low dose. Yesterday my cardiologist suggested I need a defibrillator fitted omg. Would love to hear from anyone who has been through this. Thanks from your time x

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

This was suggested to my niece's father-in-law some years ago. At the start of 2019 he woke up on the kitchen floor and thought he had fainted. In fact he had had a cardiac arrest and the ICD had kicked in. So he has had three extra years so far of relatively good health. They are not cheap so your cardiologist is being totally serious. Go for it! 👍

[Fieldhouse in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks for your reply pleased to here it saved a life. I am all for getting it done I love life too much. Just hope I don’t have to wait too long.

[Eastwood25]

Hi, I had an ICD implanted Jan 2020, it’s a straightforward procedure , I was heavily sedated and home that evening.you are not allowed to raise your left left above shoulder height for 6/8 weeks, and no driving until your check up(which is normally 4 weeks after), you do get used to it after a while, very reassuring to know we have our very own paramedic on board 24/7.

[Fieldhouse in reply to Eastwood25]

So pleased it has worked out for you. Did you have to wait long for the procedure?

[Eastwood25]

Hi, I saw consultant early Nov 19 had implant 10/1/20, I think I was lucky because I had a very low ef & my husband only had a few weeks left in Nov 19.

[Callista]

ICD’s are brilliant but do have some drawbacks which must be taken into account. If it fires you can lose your licence for between 6 months and 2 years which can be serious if you live in a remote rural area. Admittedly you might be dead if you did not have it which is worse.I had my ICD inserted with sedation but when they replaced the battery last year it was done under local despite my request for at least some sedation. It was extremely unpleasant and I would not go through it again. Even the surgeon admitted afterwards that I should have an anaesthetic next time.

Go ahead, have the ICD but make sure you are aware of these problems.

[Alison_L in reply to Callista]

That's awful, not having any sedation. They practically had to knock me out to put mine in, so when the time comes, they won't be doing the battery replacement with just a local! Fortunately it's not due for a few years - I've got my annual check tomorrow.

[ph5019]

Hi,I have one fitted after HA, if the consultant has suggested it, I would seriously consider it.

Some of us have a higher chance of a cardiac arrest due to our heart conditions and the ICD will protect us from this.

Think of the footballer who had a cardiac arrest on the pitch and he was brought back with a defibrillator, he has an ICD fitted now.

There are basically 2 types, I have had both fitted in the last year, for reasons I would be happy to pass on.

Please contact me if you would like further information.

Kind regards,

Paul

[Fieldhouse in reply to ph5019]

Hi Paul, I am definitely going ahead with it but I am concerned about how long it might take. I thought I was doing fine and I feel great until my cardiologist on Monday said my LV hadn’t improved with medication. So now I am worrying about having a CA before I get my defibrillator.

[ph5019 in reply to Fieldhouse]

Hi,contact the consultants secretary, see if you are on the urgent list.

It obviously depends where you are in the country.

I am in North Devon and my wait was about 3 months.

In my case I know they have a meeting with several consultants to decide the way forward.

In the meantime, try not to worry, I was offered one because I had a higher risk of a CA, although I have never had one.

Regards Paul.

[Fieldhouse in reply to ph5019]

Thanks I think I should just put my trust in them. They have been amazing up to now . Take care.

[Essie20]

I had a defibrillator/ pacemaker fitted on 17th December. My heart stopped suddenly on 11th Nov and I was in hoapital for 6 weeks . Its not been a problem at all just a slow recovery . If I can help anymore just let me know

[Wire57]

Hi in Oct 2019 I had a cardiac arrest totally out of the blue, turned out I had a genetic problem from birth. I was only saved due to a defibrillator having been bought by the shopping centre I was in four days earlier. I came round in hospital five days later to be told I have severe heart failure and needed a CRT-D fitted as soon as I was fit enough to be transferred to a suitable hospital. I had this done at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital two days later under local anaesthetic, the next day I had a second cardiac arrest and my device saved my life.No matter what anyone else says, In your position I would be asking to have a defibrillator fitted. I now walk on average 8.5 miles a day and feel better than anytime in the last twenty years. You can see it slightly under the skin but if you don’t think about it you wouldn’t know it was there.

Take care and if there are any questions you want to ask I’m happy to answer any I can.

[Fieldhouse]

Thanks for all your replies you have been very reassuring. I just wish I can have the procedure soon.

[Cricket23]

I had one fitted in Aug 2019 when my hypertrophic cardiomyopathy worsened. In Nov ‘21, my heart had an ‘episode’ and the ICD essentially saved me. I find it both reassuring and unsettling which might sound odd. I can feel it under my skin and it does protrude a little which I don’t like as it’s like a constant reminder that I’m not perfect. On the other hand, when they had to switch off the ICD to do an MRI recently, I didn’t like that either. As someone else has said, it’s like having your own paramedic on onboard. You’ll soon get used to it.

I notice that you are female and have seen other posts where ladies have said that it rubs against their bras. You might want to discuss the placement of the device with the surgeon.

All the best.

[Fieldhouse in reply to Cricket23]

Hi, a good point that was running through my mind about straps. To be honest the peace of mind it will give me is worth any slight discomfort.

[SN2153]

Hi, i had defibrillator implanted in December due to a cardiac arrest. Its still early days and i do have some fear its probably more of the unknown but I figured if it's going to save my life its the only way forward for peace of mind. Im so glad I found this site as its been a painful and difficult journey navigating through all this. All the best.

[Fieldhouse in reply to SN2153]

Totally agree a minefield especially when you go from no meds. at all to this !! Good luck.