Three shocks in last twelve months and not been to hospital, anyone else had a similar experience?

[Colin_P]

Hello all,

I hope some of you might be able to advise or share your experience.

I've had my ICD since 2013 and have recently (2 days ago) received my 10th shock. This was confirmed by the hospital over the phone as a VF arrest. The two shocks previous to this were the same, and I've also had some anti-tachy pacing. All this in the last 12 months.

Prior to that, my previous shocks were in Sep 2021, Jun 2020, April 2017 (twice), August 2014 (twice) and December 2013.... Ten shocks in total.

I've been round the block a few times you could say. I've had two ablations, both unsuccessful, but on the second one my AV node was accidentally ablated so I became pacemaker dependant.

My previous hospital, I moved out of the area, were quite good and the protocol was to go in via 999 and ambulance after a shock. The new hospital seem to be more relaxed about things and I've not been called in for the last three shocks.

Enough rambling and to my main question;

If it were you (or if similar has happened to you) were you admitted to hospital, did they attempt an ablation? Remember I've had three shocks and some ATP in the last year.

And for context I'm on a very high dose of beta blockers, take amiodarone (since 2017) and also mexilitine (since 2021) so as far as I'm aware there is nowhere else to go drug wise as I'm already on the alleged most effective (and deadly) drugs already.

Has anyone got any advice or similar experiences?

Many thanks

Colin (52 years old!)