What's it like getting a crtd / icd shock

[Maradona10]

Give me the unvarnished truth! 😆I'm 44, very fit, have a very high pain tolerance, want to here honest experiences about people who have had the big shock... Rather than the version from the doctor, who has never experienced it. I've heard it's like being punched in the chest. But punched by who? Mike Tyson or a featherweight? Also, what do you do after it shocks you? How do you feel and do you have to go to the hospital? Thanks in advance.

[Lezzers]

People's experience of being shocked will differ vastly!! My husband had a shock the day after a prolonged & invasive ablation procedure. Because his heart was already inflamed & irritated from the ablation, the ICD shock was incredibly painful, even more so because he had 2 shocks, one after the other. However, some people are not even aware they have been shocked until their pacing team contact them. Some have had a shock whilst they were asleep, others have said it's like a massive punch to the chest, and others have said it's like a minor punch!

Again it may not be the same for everyone, but Papworth told my husband that if he had just 1 shock & he feels fine, just tired, etc then to contact his pacing team. But should he feel unwell or have more than one shock then he needs to go to hospital to get checked out. The best thing for you to do is contact your pacing team and ask them what you should do in the event your ICD does shock you.

[bobbydazzler]

Hi. I had shock treatment couple years ago, sedated, shocked, woke up, apparently in my case it worked at first attempt, back to ward, and by couple of days felt like back to normal, in my case it lasted 8 months! No pain involved at all. Good luck

[Drawforaliving]

Hi Maradona10 I am basically the 43 year old female version of yourself. I think what you feel depends on why and what type of shock therapy you receive.and why. The icd can step in with smaller shocks to put you back in healthy territory before something bad happens, which I believe are the one you will feel. I've never had one of those but I have had the "big bang". I heard /felt a charge type sound then lights out, felt nothing. I came too and was ok straight away and carried on as normal. My condition is intermittent though. My heart works fine, it's the electrical impulses that cause me problems. Someone with physical heart problems may recover differently. An alarm will sound every 12 hours from your device once shock therapy is delivered until you go into pacing clinic and they turn it off.

[Driver11]

Mine was fitted 6yrs ago following CAIt fired last June but I didn't feel a thing as I had already collapsed

It went off again 6th April at 2.21am, I thought I was having a nightmare woke up screaming but wasn't sure if it was real or my dream

Again I didn't feel a thing but I was told the feeling is like being kicked by a horse

Don't forget your ICD is your insurance policy and it could keep you alive

Good luck

[Thanksnhs]

Hi when my ICD fired I never noticed. I was sleeping, apparently it happened at 5.30 am I vaguely remember waking up but I just turned over and went back to sleep, it was only when the hospital phoned at 11am and told me that I realised what had happened. I didn't feel very well but I never for a moment thought my ICD had went off. My consultant phoned and I stayed overnight in hospital for observation, it was an appropriate shock and the worst thing was that I couldn't drive for six months, in the end I was very grateful for having the device. Char

[Actungbaby]

As others have said it varies. I had an episode of VF and was shocked. I didn't feel it I must of passed out. I didn't know I'd been shocked until the hospital rang me. I was just very grateful for the ICD as without it I wouldn't be here.

[DaveTR]

For me (and for the first shock) I was in the shower. I felt unwell (Knew there was something going with my heart). The ‘thump’ to the chest was enough to put me on my knees. In addition, I believe I heard it, saw a flash of light and had a funny taste in my mouth afterwards. I got out of the shower and had a second shock which I felt better for.

As I had received 2 shocks I called for an ambulance.

For subsequent shocks I knew they were coming as I felt unwell. They appeared to be less 'dramatic'. It may be because I was lying down waiting for it.

I call the Heart Centre if I receive a shock and take advice from them. They usually look at a download and so far each time they have told me to present at A&E.

I have had prolonged bouts of VT of which I have been told to present at A&E when this happens.

I usually feel instantly better after a shock though a little fragile.

Hope that helps

[George6969]

hi i got shocked 3 times. Happened while i was on holiday in Cyprus. First 1 was on the Monday. Second and third right after each other on the Thursday. Was so so scary and sore knocked me to the ground I was flat out needed helped up and take back to my appointment in a Good Samaritans car . Had to go to hospital over there . They were very good. Did lots of test. Got out next day . Cut holiday short. By 3 day was tried to move. Got home went straight to casualty at home.did lots more testing. Keep in of a night. Sent home next day . That was about 3 and. Half weeks ago. And I have been doing ok . But to reiterate to you question it was sore . Hope that helps any thing else you want to know just say

[Slobojoe1]

I have had several shocks. To me it felt like being hit in the chest with a lump hammer.

[Tez3]

I have had 5 shocks, the first was two years after the ICD was installed followed by another 1 week later. I felt neither of these as I had passed out before being shocked. After the second I went to A&E to be checked out - all OK.The third was in my sleep, 5 months later, and knew nothing until the pacing team called me.

The third, 9 months later, was like a gentle punch and felt fine afterwards. This was followed a month later by a big shock which felt like being punched by a boxer!

I now worry about when the next one will be but on different meds so maybe that's it.

Incredibly fortunate to have the ICD as any one of these could have finished me off!