Reply to AngrySparrow

• by kokorose
• 2013-08-03 10:08:54
• ICDs
• 1969 views
• 0 comments

AngrySparrow:

I just read your reply. I can believe the experience you had with your pug, Morty. My husband thought all along that my little cocker spaniel, Gypsy, had reacted to my ICD shocking me back in February. She started running like she was crazy screaming and running out the doggie door and back in the house and behind the toilet in the bathroom and we were trying to catch her and boom my defibrillator shocked me. My husband took her to the emergency vet and he could find nothing wrong with her except her heart rate was high. I had to stay home and lay on the couch that night. I had take prednisone pills that day for a cough I had plus worked out at the gym running a couple of miles and also on the elleptical trainer. The next day I was ok and my reading that I took with my machine to the Baylor Heart Place in Dallas just showed I had a very high heart rate and that's why I got shocked. After reading your reply, I think you are right that Gypsy knew it was going to happen. I do have strong emotions and ever since the ventricular tachycardia episodes in 2009 and 2012 I am afraid I will have another one. After the episode last July 18, 2012, my EP recommended I get the ICD that week because he said I ran the risk of sudden death. I have run since 1984 and I knew if I wanted to keep running I needed to get the ICD. I have run 69 marathons and ran in races almost every weekend since I was in my 30's. Last Saturday I was trying to run too fast without warming up and I was thinking I should go faster when I got the shock. As you know, the shock hurts. I haven't run since last Saturday because it's so hot in Dallas right now I am thinking I better wait until the temperature drops down. I did go to Jazzercise this morning and was okay. I just have to get my confidence back and shake this anxiety I have fearing it will happen again. I had my electrolytes checked to make sure my potassium and magnesium were ok and the doctor said they were perfect. Also, my EP doctor said my high number on my ICD a lot higher than normal people because he knew I was a running. I know I didn't exceed the number. The reading I did from my machine indicated my heart rate was extremely high and the ICD shocked me because it need too. My EP doctor say keep on running, but be more cautious about not trying to go so fast. My internal doctor said too I can run. It's easy for them to say, but I will have to gain my confidence back again. I am glad to know my cocker spaniel Gypsy was trying to warn me back in February 2013. She is 14 years 4 months old. My other cocker spaniel, Max, died in April, but he didn't react back in February. He just laid beside me while my husband went to the vet with Gypsy.

I don't understand all your abbreviations in regard to your condition, but I am glad you have Morty and your other service dog. It sounds like they are taking good care of you.

Thanks for your reply and thoughts on my experiences with the shocks.

Redrose65 or Kokorose