Just popping in to say Hi!

[Etzel]

I've had what might be described as an eventful week and a bit and felt the need to find out about other people's experiences.

Quick history, very small MI 14 years ago, diagnosed with aortic regurgitation, been monitored since then until 5 months ago when told that efficiency dropped and mitral valve also diagnosed as failing. Scheduled all being well for replacement in 4-5 months along with AF ablation.

Unfortunately the route to that hit a hiccup and I got VT unloading the car, pumped with Ketamine (woah!) and shocked back to normal. After many tests an ICD was suggested which went OK until the fitting when the wire insertion triggers VF/VT 3 times. Being shocked 3 times on the table while awake was definitely something i'm not in a rush to repeat!

Now on day 6 of recovery and pleased to see a lot of posts about returning to near normality, the only real concern is the addition of Amiodarone and it's side effects. Pretty sure i've got very very mild dizziness but hoping that settles, definitely unhappy about the avoid direct sun thing though.

Baz

[Hidden]

Hello

You have been through it but so glad your recovery is going so well

A lot of meds can come with side effects but then settle down when we adjust to them so I would give it time and if you really feel it gets to much your Doctor might eventually prescribe something else as there usually is an alternative x

[Etzel in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, took the dressing off today and doesn't look too bad really.

[Hidden in reply to Etzel]

Hello

And as time goes on it will improve early days

Eventually you may even struggle to see it

I had a triple Bypass about 18 months ago and it is slowly fading and hoping eventually it wont show much at all if any x

[Colin_P]

Amiodarone has a terrible reputation, but it is the most effective drug at preventing arrhythmia. I've been on it since 2017 and had some minor thyroid problems. Sadly for me even Amio doesn't prevent VT so I'm also on Mexilitine (which is an NHS red list drug and like taking bleach) along with a high dose of beta blockers. And all that still doesn't work!

Sounds like you may only be on Amio for about six months so try not to worry too much. And the sun thing, I was terrified about that, but last summer I had a lot of external work to do on the house, a lot of which was in the blazing sun. It was ok.

Keep your chin up, easier said than done, but try and just live life.

[Etzel in reply to Colin_P]

Thank you for the information, yes I'm hoping that I might lose the Amio after the valve surgery. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a shock-free run up as I had missed my Bisoprolol that morning due to pharmacy not having my scrip, then that night at -3C I bent into the car to grab the last box of shopping, 24 cans of dog food. I think the exertion combined with cold air is what tripped me.

[Colin_P]

Fingers crossed for you as well.