Has anyone had a defibrillator implant or know anyone who has? I would appreciate any feedback about the operation itself, and living with a defib implanted.
Sorry to hear that you have to have an implant... I came down with the same problem about a year ago and my Doctor wanted to do what you have comming up, and not wanting to do the implant thing or have my heart stopped and restarted, my doctor treated me with medicine... Now 9 months later everything is back to normal... He put me on Amiodarone HCL, 200 MG....Blood thinners and a diruretic..Toward the end of the 9 month period I wasout of breath if I even walked 10 feet... Found out that the "A" while getting my heart to slow down and back in rymthem, also dropped my pulse rate to 30-33 bpm...Took me off "A" and back to normal in a couple days...Feel totally great now... (Can't ya tell by my postings )
No doubt, my case was probably not as serious as yours, but just for the 'ell of it, ask your Doctor if a medicine cure is possible.... It sure won't hurt... and come to think of it, neither will another doctors opinion... Good luck......
Posts: 2258 | Location: Naples, Florida, United States | Registered: 06-03-02
I have had many patients with these, so my experience isn't personal. But the patients I have had, have never complained about the implants, actually they were glad to have them.
The thing with the defibs is that your heart doesn't usually even get to the point of stopping, but you might feel some palpitations (your heart being irregular) and thats when it kicks in. If your heart does stop, you will be probably unconcious and won't feel it anyway.
I can't remember anyone actually saying it was uncomfortable, or anything. I do vaguely remember someone telling me they felt it, but I don't think it was like a major shock or something.
The other information I have is from my hospice experience. I have had a number of terminally ill patients (from cancer) that had a defibrillator. Sometimes the doctor would turn them off in that case (that can be done, magnetically I believe), other times the doctor would say that it didn't make a difference. The person might get a 'shock' once or twice, but the defib actually works on the electrical conductivity in the heart. So, if you are going to die, there will be no energy to give off the 'shock' anyway.
I have seen one person pass away with one, (resp failure, due to cancer, not heart related at all) and I saw no big convulsion or anything that you picture from being 'shocked' on tv.
Too honest? Too much information?
Hope it helps.
Posts: 2177 | Location: USA | Registered: 09-13-03
Thanks to both of you. Shel, I need honesty right now more than ever. Fritzzs, I already asked about correcting the problem with meds, and was told that it was very unlikely. My ex-wife is an RN supervisor at the same hospital, and she is the one who steered me to team of doctors I now have. She convinced me when she said that my son needed me. I was in much worse shape than I realized when I went into the hospital. I was at the same point as you - 10 feet of walking was exhausting. In the hospital, I was told that the fluid build-up was already compressing my heart. I don't know if that damaged my heart or if it was already damaged, but the damage is there. I do know that the week in the hospital saved my life. I'm now at least 70 pounds lighter (55+ in that one week in the hospitalk - Really) and feel better than I have in a few decades. (And I didn't really feel bad until the last six months or so.)
Yes, yours is definatly much more serious than my case.... 55 pounds in one week is astronomical..... Bet that really did help you.... Take care and good luck......
Posts: 2258 | Location: Naples, Florida, United States | Registered: 06-03-02
Dor...My ex, the girls' dad, had an implant last year, shortly after he was rejected from being a heart transplant recipient.
This May...I found out that his defribrillator had activated for the first time...he was awake at the time, had no advance notice.
I don't know what he was doing at the time since I'm not in that region anymore...I didn't even hear about it until after I'd emailed Tawn (oldest daughter) that Dave had passed away at 48 from a heart attack - as it happened, in the SAME week....
He was apparently working when it went off...he was awake at the time and recalls that it hurt, but then when he woke up, he felt SO much better. He was taken to the hospital that afternoon after passing out at work.
Now...take into account that this man does things he shouldn't be doing and always has, I'm surprised it didn't happen before then.
Dorian, while I have no personal experience, I can talk to you in relation to some patients I have dealt with.
While having a defrillator implant can sound daunting, its purpose is to save a life. One extremely active patient, who had had bypass surgery, continued to have fainting spells. Further testing showed that her heart was beating too fast, preventing her ventricles from filling with blood and causing her heart to beat ineffectively. This led to the fainting. She became afraid that normal living would result in her death.
She saw life passing by and so had the implant surgery. The implant detects when her heartrate is too fast and delivers treatment to restore a more normal rhythm. She could never recall feeling anything. Just "waking up" after fainting. After the implant, she returned to all her joys: fishing and boating with her husband, playing with her grandchildren, traveling, etc. She says the implant gave her her life back.
Thank you. I read both sites and do feel better, but I am still scared to some extent. Of course, that won't matter much by late tomorrow morning. Thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers. I certainly plan on seeing you again Wednesday night or Thursday, but if not, I've had a great time.
Dorian is home resting right now and is doing fine. He wants to thank everyone for their warm wishes. He will be back online in a few days. If you don't see him right away he is just taking it easy.
Posts: 5334 | Location: The Motor City | Registered: 06-03-02
Just found this question! My uncle had a defibrillator implanted. He said it hurt when it did its thing, but it got the job done! That was a few years ago, though. They may have been improved now... And I'm so glad to hear you're doing well, Dorian!
Posts: 6677 | Location: LA (Lower Alabama) USA | Registered: 06-03-02
I thought I should post an update. I had the implant checked out a few weeks ago by Medtronic, the manufacturer, and it is working perfectly. Last week, my cardiologist gave me the OK to do whatever I did before the surgery. () The 1.5 inch scar completely healed a few weeks ago, and is a just little red now. Other than that, I usually forget that I have the inplant.
Dorian I just now seen this post..see I DO need to come here more often! Anyhow.im soo thankful you are doing ok now since your surgery. Ths weightloss is great too. Keep taking good care of yourself and keep up with those doctor visits even when your not feeling bad....they are important to go too. Your one of my best friends and I love ya!
Posts: 8658 | Location: BLONDEVILLE, USA | Registered: 06-07-02
I was browsing old posts and came across this thread. It reminded me that I had an operation and a defib implanted. I hadn't thought about the implant in weeks, if not months, and, had I not seen this, I may not have thought about it for a few more months.
A 2nd opinion would be a good idea. You're awfully young to have an ICD implant. WPW syndrome in and of itself would not generally need a defib, but the dilated cardiomyopathy certainly would. If you are currently asymptomatic then I would definately schedule an appt with another cardiologist for a 2nd opinion. Your original cardio doc should be able to give you a referral.
So Dorian - how have things been going with the defib? If you haven't thought about it, could mean one of two things: - It isn't working, in which case you wouldn't be thinking about much of anything, 'cuz you'd be dead; - Your heart's in pretty good shape to not have needed defibrillating! I'm going to take a wild guess that it's the latter, no matter what "some people" may say about you!
Posts: 6677 | Location: LA (Lower Alabama) USA | Registered: 06-03-02
About a year ago, my cardiologist said that my heart was as good as it was when I was 40. The defib is still working, according to the tests they administer, although it's gone off (or whatever they do). Mine has a battery, and last December I was told that the battery was "like new." I also had stent put in a few months ago for an aneurysm. (Half of the males in my family had it.)
I mow my lawn (one-tenth acre) about twice a week and walk 3-5 miles twice a week. What I thought was arthritis in my hips apparently was just winter rust from not walking or mowing; it went away in late June. I'm hoping to have enough money to join a health club in a few weeks or so. The surgeon who installed the stent said I can lift weights again.
All in all, I feel pretty good. Thanks for asking, Tie.
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