Crete update and ICD question

[BeeBee79]

I just wanted to update from my post a few weeks earlier where I had a cardiac arrest in Crete. After 7 days in hospital, I was flown by air ambulance to Athens for more testing and finally came back to the UK on Monday by another air ambulance.

I had an ICD fitted yesterday morning but feel nobody warned me how painful it is. I’m in agony - it feels like my left side has been hit by a truck. Is this normal?

Thanks, B

[Hidden]

Hello

You have had quite an experience and I am sorry that I do not have an answer for you but hopefully others might when they see your post

You could contact your Doctor and ask or the BHF Nurses but I would try and get some advice

I hope you will let us know how you get on x

[sturon]

Hi. What a journey you have been on (literally). My hubby has long QT syndrome and had two cardiac 'events'. After my intervention - CPR and two paramedics, 3 weeks in hospital, including a week of ITU he had an S-ICD implanted. All that was nearly 5 years ago. You are right the post operative pain I still remember him having but it settled after a few days. Taking some stronger pain relief helps. Give you GP a call and get something a bit stronger than paracetamol. It will settle, believe me, just give it time. After all these years he now has forgotten he has this implant just the weekly download and that is it. It is great comfort to me that he has his own paramedic with him 24/7.

Let us know how you get on.

[BeeBee79 in reply to sturon]

Hi Sturon, thanks for the reply. Glad to hear your husband is getting on so well with the ICD. I’d read up on the days after and it stated “discomfort” but not the pain I’ve experienced. I have quite a high pain threshold and I can see that is subsiding slightly from yesterday but just feel the pain afterwards isn’t highlighted and I really wasn’t expecting it.Hopefully each day I’ll see an improvement.

Thanks again 🥰

[andy110519]

Hi, I had my cardiac arrest 3 years ago closely followed by open heart surgery for a new valve and I suffered more pain from the cpr than from having my chest split open for the surgery!There a group on Facebook, sudden cardiac arrest UK, and there a lot of information about implants and SCD. You can also find information for them on the SADS charity website.

Take care.

Andy

[BeeBee79 in reply to andy110519]

Many thanks Andy - I’ll have a look!