Self-test of ICD

Hi, I'm kinda new to this forum. I used to belong when I had a pacemaker then when all was going well with it I drifted away. Now I have an ICD implanted (since 2010) and have a question.
I recently read these devices can self-test or checkup on themselves. This got me wondering if my ICD is doing that too and perhaps that explains my disturbed sleep problem.Ever since I received the ICD I find that after drifting off into a lovely deep sleep at night I suddenly become wide awake for no apparent reason. I didn't experience it pre ICD or when I had a pacemaker. It is very annoying.
Could someone tell me if self-testing actually happens and if so could it cause sleep disturbance like I'm experiencing?
Thanks for your help

8 Comments

not always needed

by polrbear - 2012-11-15 04:11:24

My ICD used to do a pacing threshhold test nightly at 2357--usually as I was trying to fall asleep, and would keep me up longer. When I brought this to the staff's attention at my next interrogation (I started noticing this after a job change that altered my bedtime by an hour or so was combined with daylight saving time changing), they quickly realized that pacing tests were necessary on a daily basis for someone whose pacemaker doesn't kick in until the factor minimum low rate. Sadly, they couldn';t adjust the time it occurred, but, in my case, they could disable that particular feature. It still has an impedence test, but I cannot notice that.

Dustin

Thanks and a followup question.

by crazynuts - 2012-11-15 04:11:48

Thank you Frank and Dustin, your comments/information are very helpful. I'll check the time when I wake up to see if there is any pattern, and also discuss this with the techies next time I'm in for a check.
FOLLOWUP QUESTION:
If the device does a self test and finds something is wrong then what on earth does it do about it? I have no remote connection for the ICD and I certainly didn't have one with the pacemaker so it seems to be redundant feature. Then again, perhaps it beeps or a small tinny voice emerges from the chest, "you have a problem, you have a problem ...".
Now that would be interesting.
crazynuts jan

Alternate message

by ElectricFrank - 2012-11-15 06:11:41

"Pay your bill, Pay your bill" LOL

frank

Alternate alternate message

by crazynuts - 2012-11-15 08:11:07

"Step away from the body, whoo oo whoo oo" :)

Self Check

by ElectricFrank - 2012-11-15 12:11:03

The pacemaker section of an ICD would seem to have the same needs for a self check as a pacemaker alone. The ICD that replaced your pacer may have the time of night for self check set differently than your earlier one. The ICD may some additional functions that it tests as well. Any of these can cause rapid changes in your HR during the test, and if it happens at a time of sleep where you are susceptible to waking could be a problem. It would help to take note of the time you wake up during the night. If it's the ICD is will likely always be the same time. You might check with the clinic and have the time changed.

frank

ck

by daisy41763@yahoo.com - 2012-11-17 02:11:33

Okay peeps!? I never heard of this self check thing ever. U have a st judes icd. So it checks your icd?? How? Guess I missed rhat part. What does it actually do? Feeling dumb here

Not sure

by crazynuts - 2012-11-17 04:11:48

Hi Daisy
I'd not heard of the self-check (self-test) function either until I read about it elsewhere then asked on this site for more info. From what I can understand the device does a check by pacing your heart at increased speed. Or as Frank put it " ...can cause rapid changes in your HR during the [self] test." I haven't figured out why it would self test because if there is a problem it is unable to pass that information on until the next checkup, which could be months away - unless you have a bedside monitor connected to the phone line (which I don't have). Maybe it self tests to reset itself or something like that. I'm sure someone knows and can enlighten us further.
Cheers
crazynuts jan

From the horse's mouth

by crazynuts - 2012-11-21 12:11:31

Do pacemakers and ICDs self-check or not, and if so does they speed up your heart rate? These questions kept bugging me. So I finally rang and put the questions to one of the technicians at my local hospital. Coincidentally, she had a Boston Scientific rep with her. NO they told me. The device does an impedance check every 21 hours but this will not increase your heart rate.

So there we have it. When I startle into wakefulness for no apparent reason it is NOT caused by the ICD doing a self-test. Hmmm, maybe I have a ghost problem!!!

crazynuts jan

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Intel inside is your motto.

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