my experience

• by Jahill65
• 2012-12-04 07:12:26
• ICDs
• 1495 views
• 0 comments

Hi, I just wanted to share my experience with you. I have had my ICD for 8 years now. I had a heart attack and open heart bypass surgery when I was 37. A few months after the surgery I had my pacemaker put in. It was great until March of 2011 when I had my first shock. I had gone back to school for a certification, problems with my marriage and just a lot of stress in my life. While I was working with a client I got my first ever shock. It was like being hit in the chest with a baseball going 90 miles an hour. I recovered quickly after it happened. Went to my doctor and they adjusted my blood pressure medicine and I was fine. In January 2012 I was told that I would need to have my battery replaced in my ICD within 3-6 months, The technician would check it still didn't go down enough. Finally in August they started to make arrangements to have tests done that I would need before the surgery. Well then problem number 1 happened, I left my job for a different job and my Cobra insurance hadn't started yet. So the surgery was put off. I did start a new job, but my insurance benefits wont now take effect until the end of December. Problem 2, I was supposed to go in tomorrow to get my battery replaced but now I find out that Cobra wont cover the cost of the insurance. So now I wait to see what the hospital says as far as how much I have to pay. But I was supposed to get it replaced in September, now my ICD is at the EOL, new abbreviation for End of Life. So my advice is dont wait when they say it's time to change the battery, and make sure you have the insurance to cover it. And finally, don't bother with Cobra stay away from it.