Travel anxiety with an ICD

[The_etcher]

Good morning all.I had an ICD fitted 6 months ago following a cardiac arrest. I was lucky - the arrest happened just inside the doors of the hospital cardiac unit, they pulled me back from the brink and I made a good recovery.

Just short of 6 months after all that, I passed out at home. The ICD delivered an "appropriate shock", exactly as it was meant to do. Trouble is, I now feel rather anxious about travelling - not a specific worry about any particular aspect, just a general fretfulness.

Has anyone else gone through this sort of twitchiness? Did you find anything that helped you get over it?

Thanks.

[A246]

Yes my dear. We have to be grateful that we have a guardian angel 😇 in our chests. It is scary and weird. But I know it's hard. But try one day at a time. I now live a full life and drive. Bless you matex

[The_etcher in reply to A246]

Thank you. Will persevere...

[Lowerfield_no_more]

No-one can guarantee your cardiac arrest won't happen again. That said, the odds of it happening are now likely much less with your ICD and no doubt medication, and therefore you are in a much better place than before. So I suggest you stop being concerned about something that may never happen, and enjoy the life you have been given back. And if you are pronounced fit to travel, take whatever travel opportunities as they arise and as you are able, acknowledging any restrictions your ICD health professionals will have advised.

[The_etcher in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

I cannot fault the logic. I just need to convince my emotions to follow the logic as well.

[Collectone]

Hi .Adjustments won't be put in place quickly even if your employer is willing to make Adjustments. If you can't call the surgery and explain you're not yet fit for work I would definitely make a appointment to see your GP.

[The_etcher in reply to Collectone]

Think this one was intended for elsewhere!

[Collectone in reply to Collectone]

Oops ..lol.

[Reggaesaint]

Good morning, I totally empathise with you having suffered four cardiac arrests myself, the first at home within a 3 day period last November. The psychological impact is enormous and with this in mind, my wife and I are going to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest conference in Hinckley next month on 17th May. If you have not already booked I would recommend that you consider going.

This forum is brilliant but I still have not met a fellow survivor yet so it will be helpful to meet fellow survivors in person. Knowing what your boundaries are will be very helpful. To give you some reassurance, we have just returned from a two week cruise to the Canary Islands and Madeira which went well. I was anxious about travelling beforehand but managed to secure travel insurance at an affordable price.

Wishing you all the very best with your continued recovery. Best wishes RS

[The_etcher in reply to Reggaesaint]

Thank you. That forum and the conference are both new to me, I'll take a good look at them. Doubt if I'll make the conference this year but it sounds like a great idea, it seems to me that support from people in similar positions is a great help.Yes, knowing ones boundaries seems key. My cardiac arrest and subsequent fibrillation event both happened when I wasn't doing anything strenuous or stressful, so I suppose that's part of my problem - I don't know what I have to avoid.

I hope you enjoyed your cruise in spite of the anxiety beforehand - think I'll just have to take a grip and try travelling as that's the only way to find out how I cope, and I don't want to just stop going anywhere!

Thanks again, The Etcher

[sturon]

My husband went through the anxiety stage after he had two cardiac arrests and had an S-ICD implant. It took time to build his confidence back but all that was 7 years ago. He now lives life ever day and forgets 'sparky' is there, just sitting monitoring his heart and there if it is needed. I suppose the only way to 'get over' your experience is to distract yourself and get some travel booked.

We travel extensively with many long haul flights. Airport security is never a problem he just shows them his card and off he goes to get preferential treatment. Devices like these are now more common than ever so airport are very familiar and many modern scanners are okay to go through.

Your anxiety will pass with time and just remember the ICD is there as your personal paramedic.

[The_etcher in reply to sturon]

Thank you - confidence in The Device is clearly important. At least I've now tested it and know it works! You're right, I need to just get on and do it. It's reassuring though to know that it's not just me that feels anxious. Hopefully in 7 years I'll be as relaxed about it as you are. PS love the name 'sparky'!

[ancient1914]

Hi, Had my first ICD implanted in 2001 and am now on my 4th .

I have had several shocks when I have been fully conscious and also unconscious.

Since my first implant I have travelled the world extensively. Obviously I sidestep the security at the airport and have a pat down each time but that's a nothing.

After this time I mostly don't even think about the fact that I have a device implanted.

Probably during the first 12 months of getting the first ICD I was a bit nervous but it certainly is a no brainer now.

I had the very first shock when I was driving but I was stopped at traffic lights when I was shocked back to consciousness. No physical accident but very scary if I had been approaching a school crossing or similar. The other shocks have been whilst resting. Being shocked fully conscious is very painful but it happens and is finished very quickly.

Good luck