Two weeks in

ICD gets warm....

by BOBTHOM - 2018-08-13 21:28:46

My ICD gets warm when they do the interrogation.  I finally managed to get the tech to actually touch it and she was suprised how warm it was.  Yours may actually be pacing you more than you think or notice.  Just sitting doing nothing it shouldn't get warm.  Ask about it on your next appointment or if it keeps up call the doctor to have it checked.

Seat belt, fortunately my car has an adjustment that let me set it above the ICD but glad you found the cover.  I have heard they help.

And don't worry about it doing nothing, if it starts going off you'll be entering a whole another world and you don't want to go there.  The more it fires the worse your condition and that means more stronger meds with more side effects.  The longer it does nothing the better off you are!  Remember, in general, unlike a pacemaker, it is not designed to do anything to improve your heart function, only take you out of a bad rythm though it can do some pacing if required.

Good luck!

Sleep

by Electric Elise - 2018-08-13 21:57:24

I can empathise, i used to only be able to sleep on my stomach, so the first week was torture, but then, to my surprise, i actually got used to it. So give it a bit of time and you might surprise yourself. A month and a bit in, i haven’t actually gone back to my “old ways” and am still sleeping on my back or side - and trust me, never in a million years would i have thought that possible.

As for the ICD kicking in... oh, it will eventually and you’ll be elated you have it. My doctors weren’t convinced i’d be needing my PM too soon, but i insisted on having the surgery and, to everyone’s shock, i was paced 48% of the time within the first month.

Best of luck with your recovery and keep us posted.

Warm to the touch

by AgentX86 - 2018-08-13 22:45:15

Make sure it's not infected!  Warmth is a key symptom and of an infection and infections are very bad indeed.  If your ICD is just sitting there, count your blessings.  My brother goes down for most of a day when his fires.  He says he'd rather get kicked by a mule.

I'm also a stomach sleeper.  In fact, if I sleep on my back 9/10 timesI get leg cramps - a rather rude way to wake up.  I slept in a recliner for the first two months after my PM was implanted.  I slept in the recliner for five months following my CABG surgery.  We put a comfy recliner next to our bed. It's also good for watching TV.  ;-)   It doesn't bother me sleeping on the pacemaker anymore.  Though it is still sensitive to the touch, the bedding is soft enough that it doesn't bother me, sleeping on it.

Sleeping on your back and pacing

by Lee Burbidge - 2018-08-28 02:43:37

Hi, I am unsure how many here are 48. I think the youngest I know with an ICD is 35.

I have had my ICD only 4 weeks. It was put in when I suffered rhythm issues after a metallic valve replacement and another valve repair op a week before. 

I suffered some VT episodes as my heart struggled to find its rhythm. I had a CA and so they but in the ICD a day or two later.

Since the first op I have learned to sleep on my back simply because of the scar and internal joining of my rib cage etc.

Before this I would sleep mostly on my left side cuddling a second pillow in a semi fetal position. I feel most comfortable this way.

The past few nights Ihave started to ‘ practice’ sleeping on my right side.

At first I pulled the pillow down. I would edge myself over bit by bit.

At first it felt weird and uncomfortable and so that position was only tried for a short time. I was on my fourth attempt today.

I woke at 3am to use the toilet. When I got in bed I wanted to put my arm around my partner. For the first time I found a sweet spot and went into deep rem sleep.

I only woke as I heard my partner locking the front door as she set out to work.

The ICD side is still raw and badly bruised. I expect to try right side and to lead eventually to my old sleeping habit.

Thanks for the info here. I would of never thought of asking how many times my ICD has paced over a given time span. I have my first ‘data’ catch up soon. I understand a device is placed over the skin. 

Does anyone have the box at the side of your bed that reads you ICD during the night and sends the data via your WiFi?

Re: Two weeks in

by siouxbee19 - 2018-09-03 00:27:02

For all the ladies out there, I found sleeping in a comfortable bra helped tremendously while recovering from surgery.  It made a huge difference,and along with a soft pillow, I was able to finally get some rest.  I only wish the doctors or nurses would share that info!

And be thankful that your device just "sits there", that's a great sign!  It means you're doing ok, it will last longer before replacement is necessary, etc...etc...

One other tip I'd like to share...if anyone, men too, are sensitive to adhesives (EKG leads, external heart monitor leads, etc...) swipe that area where patches will be placed with solid stick deodorant BEFORE application, adhesive WILL stick beautifully, but hardly any irritation!  Amazing!  Medical folks don't know/care about this, but if you have an adhesive allergy like me, and often have patches, bandages, etc... with adhesive, you'll be happy with this nifty trick!

Be well...😀♥️