Until a few weeks ago, my mum didn’t (knowingly) have any heart problems but her resting heart rate went to 174 on her Fitbit and wouldn’t go down so she went to hospital. They had to give her a shock to get her heart rate down.
They did an angiogram and realised she had 3 clogged arteries and did a double bypass. One artery was too small but they said that what they did was sufficient.
She came out of hospital and was home for just over a week but then got another resting high heart rate on her Fitbit of 134 so she went back to hospital.
They’ve done an mri scan and said there is some scarring on the heart. They want to do cardio ablation and give her an ICD box. The ablation can’t be done for 6 weeks because of the recent heart bypass surgery - the heart could just be irritable from the operation and if they do the ablation now, it could make her worse.
She’s had a few high heart rates in hospital. She’s been there just over a week. They last for seconds and come down quickly. They have given her a new medication today to control the high heart rhythms and later this week, want to give her the ICD box.
She’s quite concerned because first of all they wanted to do the ablation first but now they understandably say why they can’t. They did even say that it might not be necessary at all.
However, her main anxiety is from the ICD box. Could any of you share some experiences with your ICD box please that I could show her to hopefully put her mind at rest. It does sound scary but also quite reassuring in a way too.
Thanks
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Fionas6147
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Hi I had an ICD fitted 4 yrs ago following CA and hospital for 3 weeks. Its like anything, you get used to it. At first I couldn't sleep on my left side but now I can and to be truthful I don't even think about it most of the time , going through airports or security checks you need to have your ICD passport. Mentally its a strange thing in your body but no different to teeth fillings or in my case a new HIP. The unit and bedside box are your safety devices
Good luck and it will make you feel safer and more secure
As the other two have said, it's a fairly minor procedure, and apart from a few days discomfort while the wound healed - dealt with by paracetamol, it has been no bother. I forget about it - fortunately I use my phone on the RH side anyway. I get a phonecall every six months from the remote monitoring team, other than that I am unaware of it.
Hallo Fiona. Frank here. Had my box since 2011....eek, 11 years (two actually). Gets a bit of getting used to. Ladies can have one fitted under the armpit. Ask about that.
R - E- E- L- A- X and let the body get adjusted to the new gizmo. Do exactly as you`re told. No exertion (carrying bags) pushing cars which won`t start and leaning over electrical stuff.
The comments below are pragmatic. Take up swimming at the local pool and tell the Lifeguards; mine are superb and love helping wearers like us.
You`ll soon get used to it. It`s your new lease of life and becomes your best friend.
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