Can it be too big???

I had a Medtronic ICD placed last month after fighting with cardiologists for the last 7 years because of it being disfiguring. I work as a model and am incredibly thin. I knew that the ICD was going to be visible, but I didn't expect it to be so heavy. I keep thinking it is going to come out of my skin!

Every time that I bend or reach it feels like it is pulling...painfully. And the slightest touch where the implant is at causes extreme pain. I am still taking pain meds (narcotics to sleep, NSAIDS during the day) and I am really upset because I thought after the incision healed that the pain would be gone. I thought that since I was young that I would have an easier time with recovery.

Does anyone know if Medtronic or another manufacturer makes smaller ICDs? I am jealous of the Pacemaker options, but my issue is ARVD, so the ICD is a must. I stopped taking amiodarone when I became pregnant, so right now the beta blockers and ICD are protecting me from VT and I appreciate it, I really do, but it hurts and it just doesn't seem to be getting better. I feel like I am never going to be able to drive again because I can't wear a seatbelt on that side of the car without tears. :/ Is this normal?

5 Comments

Inventors Opportunity

by Tattoo Man - 2012-01-03 04:01:10

MelissaRose, as a bloke you will appreciate that there is little that I can offer other than my best wishes.

On a wider level, it seems to me that anyone with a left side implant has a much easier time here in the Uk because, like Knights of Old ,we drive on the left...(its all about right handed people having the sword hand available)

So...Inventors out there..how about designing an aftermarket fitting that works like a UK belt. The left hand floor anchor would be easy as sill metal is very thick. Getting an anchor point to the roof is more tricky but 'do-able' with some reinforcement.
Any one driving a NASCAR stock saloon with a full roll cage is laughing here.

Globally with ????????? how many people with MRs ,not unusual question / issue.. might benefiet from this ? .Ideally a piece of kit that could be transferred from car to car with no depreciation implications, but maybe with the possible benefiet of insurance / grant fiscal support...just a thought.

Insurance / Type Approval, would ,of course be essential

Anyone with any ideas, I would happily chip in on design (NO fiscal gain AT ALL !! )

Or maybe better 'pad' design.??

Does this 'pad' issue need further Forum ??...as the proud owner of a regular Pm ( which is a regular one like Will Smiths 'Cricket' in MIB 1)

Melissa, best wishes, to all others on PM Club..Take Care

Tattoo Man




Melissa ..I hope you get some useful

I feel your pain

by fishfighter - 2012-01-03 04:01:37

I am a very thin person and I have a CRT-D which is 6 times bigger then a PM. Mine sticks out an easy 1/2". Anything that touches the area hurts me. When it comes to driving/seatbelt, I put it on and then take the shoulder strap and rap it back over my right side, behine my back. I been checked a few times and told the cops I have a implant. In fact I had to show one cop. He jumped back when he saw what I had.

for long trips more padding is necessary

by kathykat11 - 2012-01-04 05:01:36

so I put a maxipad inside my clothing over the implant site I don,t have to worry about it shifting because the adhesive is already in place.

Thinnest ICD

by EPdoc - 2012-01-09 10:01:50

I am a cardiac electrophysiologist trying to reach out to a broader audience.There are certainly other options. The thinnest ICD available is the Boston Scientific model. Additionally a subpectoral implant may be best suited in your case. For more information please see the following link:
http://heartrhythmconsult.com/consultation/

ICD

by Carly1 - 2012-03-26 04:03:40

I too hav ARVD and am very lean having been an athlete. My medtronic device is tiny, 65 grams. It was never painfull though, initially it was uncomfortable. I chose to have mine implanted directly under the skin rather than the muscle. It will stop moving under your skin. Small amounts of scar tissue will begin to form around the leads which will hold the device in place. The device, after 12 months may also drop slightly into your breast tissue & should be less visible. If u are pregnant, as your breasts enlarge, it may cause tiny tiny tears in the scar tissue. This is normal. My scar has almost disappeared, but I used scar gel from a cosmetic surgery. Also, cover it up with foundation if it really bothers you. Initially every morning shower reminded me of my implant but after 12months, I often forget that it is there. If yours continues to be painful, go back to your specialist, if it was implanted correctly, as mine was, it should not be painfull.

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