Most Recent Messages in ICDs

Laser hair removal

Hi there! 

This may be a silly question, but I haven’t thought about it until now. I’m getting married in 2020 (woo!) and Me and my friend wanted to get a laser hair removal system to get us both looking good before the wedding. Just one of the shop bought ones. 

I have a subcut ICD so it’s on my side rather than my front chest. Is it safe to use a hair removal system with the ICD as it’s close? I’ve no idea if it even interacts or...

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where are they now

For those wondering what happened to the ICD Support Group the new address and name is www.myicdheart.com/board

Not sure why they lost the domain name but don't be fooled the icdsupportgroup.org name has been sold to someone else and who knows what the content will be.

 

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Pacemaker to ICD

Hi. Been diagnosed with cardiac sarcoidosis, and due to the high risk of vtac and heart failure the cardiologists are talking about upgrading my 3 year old 2 lead pacemaker to an ICD. Appointment in 2 weeks but I have some questions I’d like to get on top of beforehand. Can someone tell me if this means extra lead needs to be placed and can they still use the existing leads from my pacemaker or will I need all the leads removed and replaced. Existing pacemaker is a medtronic s...

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Icd

Hi. I had my ICD fitted 6 weeks ago for long qt. The past few days it has felt like my heart has been fluttering, I have been to the doctor and ICD clinic, the device has been checked and all ok, I have also had a monitor to wear all weekend. Is this normal? 

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DOT Physical

I failed my DOT physical today due to having an ICD.  Doctor says I need to find another job that doesn’t require any driving.  

Didn’t think it would come to this, so depressed.  What to do.

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Dual Chamber Pacemaker Boston with MRI capabilities

I am having my 8 year old Dual Chamber replaced in 45 days. Will medicare reimburse for a Dual Chamber PM which allows for MRI radiology.

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Swimming

I received a pacemaker in 2004 and a ICD-CRT in 2006.

I am 78 years old and have been swimming competitively for the last 12 years.

Up until several years ago there were 3 other compretive swimmers that I would communicate with but they have "retired" from swimming.

 

I am looking forward to communicating with swimmers who compete in the Senior's program or the Masters program.

Do you compete?

Do you know someone who competes?

 ...

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Vo2 Max Test After ICD Adjustment

I am scheduled to have a Vo2 Max test (which I hate) 4 weeks after a third wire is going to be placed in my ICD. Do you think 4 weeks is too soon to have the test? Just not sure it will give me enought time to heal and to show any improvement of my heart function due to the third wire. The Vo2 test was scheduled prior to my third wire placement appointment.

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Defibrillator and ionic foot detox bath

Has anyone with a defibrillator ever used one of the foot detox baths? These are the foot baths with a metal array in the water. I checked with Medtronic, the manufacturer of my pacer, and they recommended that these foot baths not be used, the fear being that the defibrillator would discharge in response to the activity of the metal array.  The rep could not tell me if a defibrillator had discharged when a patient had used the bath.

Thank you.

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Informing DVLA of ICD shock

How do you go about this? I can't find the relevant link on the website - do you have to surrender your license?

I was shocked yesterday, the first time I have received one since implantation 11 months ago. 

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Swelling on icd device after a week

So my name is CJ, I’m 25 years old and I had to get a ICD installed In me. I had the surgery last week on Tuesday and was released from the hospital on Thursday last week. I’m getting worried because I didn’t notice swelling until yesterday, it may have been gradually swelling over the days but it’s been over a week since the surgery so why is it swelling now? Any advice please.... thank you

P.S. I started icing it today

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ICD vibrating - Medtronic DVMC3D4

Hi Folks

I think I ran across a thread on this before, but thought I would ask anyway. Has anyone else experienced vibrations coming from their ICD? No alarm, just a slight vibration that lasts a few seconds and repeats twice. This has happened a few times ...

I've only had this thing a year, so any feedback would be helpful.

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CRT-D and increased ef

I am being. Upgraded to a crt-d from an icd. Has anyone experienced an improved ef after installation?

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Decision to get an ICD

  • by Donny
  • 2019-09-16 21:11:40
  • ICDs
  • 2017 views
  • 19 comments

Hi, thank you for the support that this group offers!  I’m a 62 year old male and am trying to weigh the risks and benefits of having an ICD implanted and would love any and all perspectives and inputs that you can provide.

According to my doctors, I am on the “cusp” of needing an ICD. I have a slight risk of having a heart attack, but only slight. I guess any risk is not a good one. I have medium hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, meaning that the wall of my heart has...

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What type to choose

What LVEF % justifies 2 wire or 3 wire? What determend if Med's working or not?

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UK Drivers

Does anyone know if you need to inform you insurance company that you have had an ICD fitted ?

I have not had any symptoms to date and have it fitted as a precaution as I have an underlying hereditary heart condition. 

Can any UK drivers please advise on their experience. 

Did you inform your insurer ? 

Did the cost of insurance rise dramatically ? 

 

Thanks as always !

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Ejection Fraction/Pacemaker

  • by JakeD
  • 2019-07-29 15:33:39
  • ICDs
  • 1850 views
  • 4 comments

I have a pacemaker/defibulator combination with a three wire lead.  My EF prior to receiving the pacemaker/defibulator was 15-20.  My question is how can you get an  accurate echocardiogram if your heart is being pumped artifically with a pacemaker?  If the pacemaker was not inside me would I still have the same EF that I have with the pacemaker implanted in  me?

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Leaving Work

My primary care physician said that I work too hard and might consider disability.

I have had my device for 4 months today. I returned to my job  2 months after implant and ablation. I am working full-time but by Friday I am exhausted. I spend Saturday in bed giving my body the rest it seems to crave. Episodes of PTSD still exist but lessened. Though I am acutely aware of my heart beat. Because my issue appears to be genetic it's not going away, prompting me to dance between &q...

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Travel After ICD Shock

Hi,

I recently had a shock from my ICD. The Doctors office just told me to "keep on doing what I have been doing". I am planning a trip next month to France and wondered if there will be travel restrictions put on me due to my ICD going off. Also, will my remote monitor work in a different country? 

Thanks

 

 

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Cleveland Clinic

I'm scheduled to see Cardiologists Dr Wilkoff & two other MDs at Cleveland Clinic in Aug 2019.  Any advise for how to deal with hotels, transportation, apartment rental, etc while I will beT in Cleveland waiting on APPTs, Procedures or tests?

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Lifetime warranty no longer gives peace of mind.

Member Quotes

I just want to share about the quality of life after my pacemaker, and hopefully increase awareness that lifestyles do not have to be drastically modified just because we are pacemaker recipients.