fearful

I had few episodes of arrythmia a week ago and in hospital awaiting defib implant in 4 days. Having 2nd thoughts, fearful of shocks, dont think i can go thru with this. Would pacemaker suffice? Do not qualify fo like vest because episodes not ling enough.

5 Comments

i would think

by wjs1954 - 2014-03-08 01:03:32

if recommended must be needed

but than again i am new here and do not know much, with that said

if it was recommended to me i would be having second thoughts as i did about a pacemerker. i went with what the EP said, and one would think that if the shock was needed it would be nice to know you would have it.

Go for it!!

by coppertop - 2014-03-08 07:03:54

Please get the CRT-D that is what mine is. has the whole
thing defib/pacemaker. I will tell you reading Don's question he asked you. I have an answer... I choose shock over death. I was shocked four times in three hour period. 12/13/13 Friday the 13th. the irony in that is not lost on me!! it was not pleasant at all. it was pretty awful.
I am pretty sure Marie being hit with paddles was much worse.
I am here today telling you my story. I am pretty sure without my defibrillator I would not be here today.
Sincerely,
Coppertop

Not enough info to really answer

by donr - 2014-03-08 09:03:57

1) How about completing your Bio profile.

2) What kind of arrhythmias?

3) Timeline doers not make sense. 4 days? a week ago? When are they planning the implant? In the hosp today as i type?

4) Your bio data implies that it has already been done.

5) You have not quantified the problem as to episodes. They do NOT just plant an ICD for fun - you MUST have had life-threatening arrhythmias. The wrong kind of arrhythmia can cause SCD - Sudden Cardiac Death - the question becomes, than, which do you fear most? A shock or dying. Only YOU can answer that question.

6) Do you know what the shocks feel like? Have you ever had the paddles applied to you to stop an SCD?

7) My FIRST GUESS, not knowing any more about your situation is that a PM will NOT do the job. That's why the ICD was developed.

8) What has your Cardio told you - other than "Linegard, you need an ICD"? You need a decent discussion w/ him/her. They are NOT treating your head at all.

9) Napoleon said in about 1806 "In battle, the mental is to the physical as 3 is to 1!" That is also very true in affairs of the heart.

Donr

Fear

by Grateful Heart - 2014-03-08 10:03:41

It's normal to worry about being shocked in the beginning, this is all new to you. I worried about it too. Once you get past the recovery phase and get on with your life, you won't think about it much, especially if you are active.

I have a CRT-D for 5 years now and have not been shocked yet. If you need the device, what are your options? If it happens to shock you, then it saved your life. Many people who did not even know they had a heart condition are not so lucky. We all know some of them. This is a fix for us!

Learning all you can about the defib and your condition will help ease your mind. This is a good place to start. Ask any questions, there are many knowledgeable members here.

If you decide to get the device, once you are cleared for activity, I strongly urge you to go to Cardiac Rehab. It's like physical therapy, except for the heart, mind and body. Like Don said, they are all connected. The Nurses are there to monitor you while you exercise at your own pace on a treadmill, bike, rowing machine, etc. That is the place to be if something were going to happen, it is very reassuring knowing they are there. My Nurses made it a lot of fun too. I think Cardiac Rehab should be mandatory for those of us who can exercise with our Cardio's approval.

We've all been there.

Tell us a little more about your situation so we can maybe help you more. 5 years later and no regrets here.

Grateful Heart

Your decision

by Marie12 - 2014-03-08 11:03:29

It is your decision and a lot depends on your age and other medical conditions. I was just 53 when implanted with an ICD. Until my heart attack which resulted in significant damage, I was totally healthy. I have been shocked twice by the paddles and in my opinion, the life I am living now with the ICD is worth it. The paddles were the worse experience of my life but I lived through it and for that I am happy. While my health is not what it was 8 months ago due to congestive heart failure, it is a excellent life.

There is no question that adjusting to an ICD is not easy. It is larger than a pacemaker and you can feel it all the time. There are things the doctors and nurses will not tell you but you can find most of the help and support you need on this site. For the first few months after implant, I wished I had not done it but there comes a point where you turn a corner and you adjust to the new way of your life and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue living.

I can't tell you what it feels like to be shocked by the ICD (others here can) but I will tell you that the "ambulance in my heart" is worth the alternative. I can't imagine the doctors would be recommending one for you if it wasn't necessary and a pacemaker is not an alternative.

Donr said it right..."A shock or dying. Only YOU can answer that question."

This site has helped me so many times to get through the early months. Your friends and family may have difficulty in understanding your anxiety and the adjustments you will need to make but visit here often and you will find tremendous support.
I'm also with Grateful Heart on the Cardiac Rehab. It was amazing and life saving.

You know you're wired when...

Bad hair days can be blamed on your device shorting out.

Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.