Icd shock/ people living a normal life after?

I need positive people to write about their icd. I am living in fear after vt strom 43 times fired on Christmas day. I was rushed for ablation after that which was successful and now on meds. What are my chances of it going off again.
Please share your thoughts and how do you fo on living?

5 Comments

Ventricular Ablation

by catthree - 2016-02-26 07:02:29

Lisa, I can't speak to a VT storm, but after my V-tach episodes increased in frequency until they were starting to occur daily, I had a ventricular ablation, which I assume is what you had as well. My surgeon, who has done a lot of them, drew me a sketch afterwards, showing the network of mis-conducting cells, and his belief that the problem was fixed; apparently if you ablate some number of cells in the network, the whole network collapses. In the six months since, no V-tach episodes, both by "feel" and by interrogation of the ICD, although I am still on beta blockers (which I would love to eliminate). And the more time that passes without incident, the less I worry about it. All I can really offer is that ablations can fix the problem; you should speak with the surgeon who did yours, and ask his opinion on whether it was completely successful, or whether there is a risk of relapse.

VT and ablation

by ttdavis22 - 2016-04-05 03:04:06

Catthree I'm so happy that it worked for you. As for me, all the ablation did was irritate my Vtach and cause episodes numerous times a day. They tried a ton of meds until they found the right med to control it. I'm now on Rythmol and Metoporol XL. I however only have a pacemaker. When they went in to do the ablation they found that not only did I have Vtach but Sick Sinus Syndrome. They couldn't get my heart rate above 20 so they had my husband sign for a pacemaker. All the doctors I see ask why my specialist didn't put an ICD but he says he really doesn't want to unless he has to. So they tried the ablation and now meds. If at anytime the meds stop helping then I will get an ICD. He really doesn't believe in the ICD until you no longer have an option. I kind of wish I had it just to feel safer with the Vtach. I'm going for a second opinion soon. So ablation isn't always successful. Hope and pray that yours is!

VT storm 3/11/2011...

by Nicole33 - 2016-04-22 02:04:16

Day I will never forget. My ICD shocked me over and over and over... Like 23 times. Was truly hell on Earth. With my heart disease and issues, ablation is something that my electrophysiologist wants to do only on a last resort. Because of my meds and ICD combo, I have been somewhat assured that I am stable but at the same time there is no way of my dr knowing IF or WHEN my heart will go into another storm. Because of this, I suffer from PTSD and see a psychologist regularly.
Now, that said, I would be willing to bet that you should be able to hold your head up high and clear your mind of the possibility of another storm if the ablation was truly successful. The whole point in the ablation process is to remove what is causing the VT.
I truly hope that you never have to experience another storm. It is truly equivalent to walking through hell and back to me.

VT

by Turkey75 - 2016-10-26 15:38:05

I can relate to a VT storm but not to that extreme. My worst day was a month back and I was working in the heat with my husband and I had about 15 episodes where it burst paced me. I have never had a full shock but the burst are so stressing and will wear you out. I spoke to my doctor and he said the machine was doing it's job. I batlle with anxiety over it bc I lost my mother when I was 24 and she was only 47. So here I am 40 and I worry all the time. I am having an EP study done the end of November to see what has changed. But I had a gentleman tell me when the episodes happen to thank God for more time and go on and enjoy the rest of my day. So I have been doing that and doing pretty good. but then today sitting here working and I get about 5 burst no reason. So what to do. I pray and go on. I enjoy this sight and I pray things get better for you. I hope you have a great day.

Vtstorm

by The Moorish Guide - 2017-10-27 15:24:57

I’ve just experienced the same yet not as intense or as many shocks. I was out at Olive Garden with my wife and I felt it coming i was shocked so we left and started to drive home. Once we pulled up at the house it fired again. We live around the corner from the hospital so we speeded there and while waiting in triage I felt it happening again I told them give me Iv meds but the wouldn’t listen I went into a panic attack and how to be put under sedation and cardioverted. I woke up 2 days later. So yea it’s not pretty and it makes me contemplate my mortality often per day I’m on sotolol twice a day now along with metroprolol so far so good but another ablation is highly being considered but like as others have said just keep faith and live each day thankful that you are still here and try to move on. I trust you remain well

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