major anxiety

Hi I just had my icd installed this past wednesday.I am still on kflex for my antibiotic and 50 mg of coreg, 10 mg of lisinopril, 40mg of lasix andb12.5 mg of spirolect.it feels like my heart is pounding and I feel lightheaded. I dont know if this is from the icd, meds or just my anxiety. I am so worried it will go off and I am extremely emotional about all of this. Any help please

3 Comments

Meds, Anxiety or Both

by Grateful Heart - 2015-02-08 12:02:32


I'm on Coreg (Carvedilol...the generic). I take 25 mg. twice a day. I started off with a very low dose and the Doctor gradually increased it over time...doubling it until I reached the 25mg. At that point, I did not feel well on it.....did not tolerate it well so my Doctor backed it down to 12.5 mg. twice a day for a few months and then increased it again to the 25 mg. X 2. Second time around was much better and I still take it now....6 years later. I don't know about the lisinopril or spirolect meds.

I would call your Doctor and speak to him. He should be able to tell you if it could be the meds.

As far as your ICD going off, we all worry and wonder about it, especially in the beginning. I was afraid to move much, I didn't know when it would fire. I learned about Cardiac Rehab from the Doctor and decided I needed to go. My thinking was if I was going to be shocked while moving or exercising, that was the place to have it happen. The Nurses would know what to do and they have a crash cart there.....just in case.

I stayed in Cardiac Rehab for over a year (my choice) and paid on my own....just like you would at a gym. I have never been shocked yet. I worked hard at working out, in fact I pushed it to see if I would be shocked. It taught me I could move without fear and hesitation. I go to a regular gym now. We always have the chance of being shocked but if we do....it's a life saver.

So take it a step at a time. There are some hurdles to get over, especially in the beginning while you get used to all of this.

You'll be ok, talk to your Doctor. Feel free to ask any questions, that's why we are here.

Grateful Heart

anxious

by Seabreeze - 2015-02-09 11:02:16

This is a huge impact on your life...and yes, every reason to be anxious. Call your doctor's office. I have a nurse I could call with every little thing and she was very patient listening to me and reassuring me.
Check with your insurance too-I have Blue Cross/ Blue Shield and they have a Cardiac nurse line you can call for free.
I am 4 months out and still have to take baby steps here and there. Just keep moving forward......
This website is great, keep in touch.

It does get better

by SherriLee - 2015-04-01 01:04:47

I had the same problem, by doctor gave me anxiety medication and it helped. It took about a year for my anxiety to go away. I also developed a blood clot at the ICD location where the wire goes into the vein. Was on blood thinners for 7 months.....

Give it time to get used to the devise..... It does get better. I sleep with a second pillow to support the devise while I sleep on my side....

You know you're wired when...

You have a new body part.

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