ICD Implant

[Straitman]

in late Summer last year, I posted here for to read the positive experiences of those of you who had ICD implanted. I had been offered such an implant and was in a quandary about whether I should go ahead. I’d read or heard several negative views and wanted to hear the other side.

God bless you, over twenty of you replied and there was only one person who posted a bad experience. On the basis of the response, I told the cardiologist that I wanted to go ahead. As such, last Friday I had my ICD imp,anted on Friday 14th February. All went well and apart from a bit of soreness, I feel fine. Thanks to everyone for their positivity.

[Chinkoflight]

Hi, I'm glad it went well. Do remember to be very strict with yourself re mobility, lifting etc on your left side. Give it the minimum time your Doctors are suggesting and add a week at least!!! The leads need time to settle in and properly secure themselves . (Speaking from experience! )

[Blackknight57]

I’m going in on 17th march . So following

[Straitman in reply to Blackknight57]

BK57, to date I’ve had no problems. The soreness relating to the incision is much reduced today and the bruising is changing colour. Only real nuisance is that, being male the device has been inserted just below my left shoulder and this mean that, I’ve been told to avoid lifting my left arm above shoulder height or, make any sudden movements with the arm. This is difficult because I’m naturally left-handed. My tendency is to reach with my left.

Fortunately, I practiced dressing, particularly putting on t shirts and sweaters.

[Blackknight57 in reply to Straitman]

Thats what bothers me. Plus toilet when we tend to use both hands. Putting on underwear and trousers might be a problem. . How do you find getting in and out of bed? Climbing stairs etc. i have 14 steps and a hand rail on the left.

[Straitman in reply to Blackknight57]

BK57, I haven’t had a problem using the toilet. It’s all ‘below the waist’ stuff. Donning trousers and underwear is no problem. I tend to lay items out and deal with one leg at a time. Underpants I can do one handed (right hand) from a sitting position. Likewise trousers. Socks are a nuisance so, I got a thing I bought from Amazon. Can I say that, I spent time practicing these things before the op. My wife will help, if I get stuck. Getting in and out of bed is easier if you do it on the left hand side of the bed. I sit on the bed and using my right arm as support, I roll into bed. Providing your upper arm doesn’t go above your shoulder you can pull the duvet over you, finishing off using your right hand. Getting out, push yourself to a sitting position with your right hand and stand up. Remember it’s getting above shoulder height with your left or, sudden actions with your left arm. Gently does it! You can use the handrail on the left providing it’s there for balance and not pulling yourself up the stairs.

Take your time, think before you do anything (I never realised that I could put on a long sleeved sweater single handed but, I can!) and, above all PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE., You’ve got virtually four weeks, don’t stress about it, get on and work it out.

[Straitman in reply to Blackknight57]

There is a support group cardiomyopathy.org It has lots of good advice.

[Blackknight57 in reply to Straitman]

Hopefully the support group will be local ish for me, I’m going to Papworth, usually very good.

[Blackknight57 in reply to Blackknight57]

how about seatbelts.? Are you temp exempt?

[Straitman in reply to Blackknight57]

No. I’ve been a passenger twice since my op, including two hours after. No problems. No pain or discomfort.

[Blackknight57 in reply to Straitman]

mine is morning op. Not expected to be discharged until 8pm. Long day pain depends on your threshold.

[Straitman in reply to Blackknight57]

Mine was a lunchtime op. They wheeled me in at 12:45. It took maybe an hour. I didn’t have a sedative, I was awake throughout. I agree pain is relative but, I felt none just occasional pressure. I was sent home at 4:45 pm. No complications, readings were fine. No sedative to recover from. Spent most of the afternoon sat 9on the edge of the bed chatting to the staff and the guy in the next bed.

[JH6419]

Great to hear! I have had my ICD since 5 Sept. It takes a bit of getting used to but so grateful I have it!