ICD going off ??

[Hashh123]

I’ve had an ICD fitted since May 22. Last night was sleeping normally and woke up at about 4am with some chest pain.

It only pains when I move my body in certain directions like twisting you back etc and on a scale of 1-10 the pain is probably 3-4…..nothing I can’t ignore and do the normal task. Apart from that I feel fine

Just wondering if this is of concern. Could this be due to ICD kicking in? Waiting for the GP to call me back but though I’d ask the question here.

What does the ICD going off feel like?

[chippy12345]

i have icd fitted an as far as i know you will know when icd goes off it a big jolt

[Lezzers in reply to chippy12345]

Whilst the majority know when their ICD has fired not everyone feels it, a few people have been shocked whilst asleep & haven't known until the pacing clinic has phoned them.

[Lezzers]

If you're not feeling well then I think you should either phone 111 or make your way to hospital. If you feel ok & you have a home monitor I would do a manual download & contact your pacing clinic.

[ph5019 in reply to Lezzers]

Hi, when my ICD went off whilst walking outside, it was a massive jolt and sent me flying to the ground.

Paul

[Lezzers in reply to ph5019]

The vast majority of people are aware their device has shocked them & have said its like a massive jolt. But some people have had their icd shock them, usually when they're asleep, and the first they've known about it is when the pacing clinic has phoned them to tell them.

[Thanksnhs]

hi if it fired your home monitor will have sent the information to the clinic and they would have phoned you as soon as they got it. mine fired at 5.30 am I never noticed it was only when they phoned at 11.30 I knew anything about it. It was an appropriate shock so thankfully it done its job but I lost my driving licence for six months, my cardiologist said it was very unusual not to have felt anything. Char

[Hashh123 in reply to Thanksnhs]

how do you get a home monitor? I have a mobile app that connect to the ICD.

The app doesnt tell much apart from hours I’ve done physical activity and what the battery level etc is from the device. Nothing else.

[Lezzers in reply to Hashh123]

The mobile app is also your home monitor, the only difference between the 2 is the app is monitoring you outside the home as well as inside.

[Thanksnhs in reply to Hashh123]

hi I didn't have anything like that just a monitor in my bedroom that transmitted data to the hospital. Char

[jowalk6]

Hi Hashh. When my ICD went off it felt like a horse kickinkicking me in the chest. I suppose it may feel different gor some people but I certainly knew about it. Take care hun x

[Hashh123]

spoke to the clinic and no it didn’t actually go off. But I still have this wierd discomfort/pain in my chest so getting some X-rays done today. GP said it might just be a muscle pull :a which didn’t fill me with a lo my of confidence

[Lezzers in reply to Hashh123]

good to hear yiur device didn't fire, hopefully the X rays will be helpful. Has the pain eased at all?

[Hashh123 in reply to Lezzers]

I took some paracetamol yesterday so it has.

It’s almost as if a muscle has pulled since it doesn’t hurt whilst doing the normal day tasks. Only when I move in certain angle. I have an appointment with the cardiologist later in the month (coincidence) so will bring it up as well.

[Lezzers in reply to Hashh123]

it does sound as if its muscle related, good luck with the x-ray

[ChasNick]

Does the power of the shock depend on the level of the paulse rate. If the paulse level is set at 130 will the shock be less than a paulse of 171 (which mine is) ?

[Callista]

I have had an ICD fitted for c. 5 years. I recently changed hospitals (long story…) and my new hospital was incredulous that my monitor had not alerted them when the ICD fired. It transpired that the previous hospital had a policy of not activating it so that they were not inconvenienced by having to do something! Fortunately the new hospital has activated it so next time they will be aware.

I naively thought that the monitor by my bedside was monitoring me but clearly this is not always true. Has anyone else experienced this?

[Kwakkers]

My ICD was fitted in 2011; I`ve had two (what joy!). Relax while your body adjusts to that (bloody) alien in your chest. Mine has gone off twice, and BROTHER, will you know it! You`ll be thrown across a room with a blinding white flash.

Remember that footballer, Fabrice Mwamba? He joined us for a chat in 2011 and we all swapped stories. Damn good laugh.

We were told (ordered?) to stop any contact sports; footie, rugby, martial arts. Swimming was advised. I do 30 lengths a week and I`m still going.

Listen to your body, keep your GTN spray on you and `thank God for a second chance.

[Pikaia in reply to Kwakkers]

Hi Kwakkers , what's a GTN spray?

[Kwakkers in reply to Pikaia]

Glycerol Trinitate. Looks like a lipstick, but it`s a miracle fixer. For example....if you`re about to climb a hill while walking, you take a puff, climb slowly and it helps relax the arteries so you don`t get angina. That`s just one example.

Your body will tell you, if you listen to it but when we 14 were in cardiac rehab (2011) the hospital pharmacist called it `your American Express card`; ie. don`t leave home without it. Ask your GP/and or hospital where you were treated. Times/prognoses change but no harm in asking.

Done me proud for 11 years.

Frank.

[Curryandchips]

My CD was activated by Doctors (long story). The shock was incredible. Lifted me off the bed. You would deffinatley know if your ICD went off!