Cardiologist just rang, he said he's going to inplant ICD on Monday

[macwoozy]

I was not expecting this, well certainly not so soon. I've been abit stressed lately and the stress seems to have worsened an existing heart problem. So they want me in on Sunday to do procedure on Monday. I can't believe how excited I am, to be able to live my life without worrying about my palpitations ever again. He spoke on the phone about the procedure but I'm hoping that maybe some of you might know someone who already has one. I can read enough about it on Internet, but I'd love to have a personal view on it. Misdee, I know Peter has had one recently, and obviously its such a small operation compared to his recent events, but would you be able to give me any advice about it, I totally understand if you'd rather not what with all you're going through. I can't get my head round this, I've wanted this for such a long time.

[macwoozy]

Thanks trefusis, yes HCM, I'm feeling really positive about this. I feel like knocking back a bottle of wine to celebrate but I better not

[misdee]

macwoozy i've just seen this and am guessing your on the way to recovering from it. it will be tested several times, and tbh its a great relief to have one. dh feels more comfortable now his is switched back on, it really does hurt. you will be feeling tender around the site, and one of the problems that peter has is that he has no fat on his body where they implanted the ICD so his isnt nestled nicely between a layer of fat like most peoples, and it is noticable. hopefully it went well and no hiccups. look forward to an update from you soon.

xx

[macwoozy]

Thanks trefusis, misdee and dinosaur for sending me best wishes. Dinosaur I hope the party went well and wasn't too stressful for you, did your ds enjoy it at the end? I read you couldn't get him out of his room at first.

I hope all is well with Peter Misdee. Well I'm wearing my new ICD, and I'm really pleased with the result. I'm on the skinny side as well, so the docs decided to implant it well inside the muscle at the top of my chest. Hurts pretty bad still but at least I can't see the outline of the box, scar is not too good, but that's a small price to pay now I don't have to worry about any arrythmias.
One thing thats bothering me though is the fear of how it's going to feel when it eventually shocks me, its programmed to go off when my heart reaches 220 beats per min, but I heard that it feels like a kick in the chest. Did Peter experience one when he had his fit?
Also can't drive for quite a long time which ruins all the plans I had for my ds over the school holidays. Oh well I shouldn't complain, It's a huge relief that I've finally got my ICD but I'm still feeling abit weary.

[Yorkiegirl]

Message withdrawn

[Fimbo]

Glad it went well

[misdee]

cheers yorkiegirl, missed this as was at the hospital.

wasnt expecting you home so fast macwoozy. glad it went well, and its now in place. Peters wasnt switched on when he had a funny turn, and it happened in the 10mins he wasnt connected to the main monitor was he was having a wash. so he stil ldoesnt know what its like. You cant drive for 6months, and for a 6month period after recieving sa shock which may make you pass out, the DVLA will write to the docs to see if your fit enough to drive. hopefully yours wont go off too often.

wishing you love, luck and happiness, hopew this makes things easier for you.

xx

[macwoozy]

Thanks all

[potty1]

Macwoozy - just catching up with this. Hope you are feeling much less sore and are starting to live that life again

[misdee]

how u feeling macwoozy?

[potty1]

Thread hijack - misdee - how's Peter (I've been away and lost track)?

[misdee]

he is doing well. walked down the corridor again today. stillvery sore tho. but he is slowly getting there.

[potty1]

That's good news misdee.

[macwoozy]

Hi. Been away for a week so not been able to write. I've only been back an hour and I'm already checking to see what's going on with mumsnet. I'm a very sad case
Yeh I'm doing well now, thanks for asking. I'm surprised how sore I felt though, still can't lift my arm up properly, but that's not worrying me too much. On my hols I was able to enjoy myself without getting panicky, it was great, also got drunk first time in a long time, this ICD is not going to be healthy for me at all. So yeh Potty1 I do seem to be living that life again, I hope all is well with your dd.

Misdee, I've checked through threads but can't see anything about Peter. I so hope he is still doing as well, you are both incredibly brave.

[potty1]

Good to hear from you macwoozy. Tsk tsk - getting drunk, whatever next .

Dd is doing fine thanks - been away ourselves and thinking of renaming her the Queen of Speed. She wanted to do Scuba diving and parasailing - settled for the banana boat and bungee trampolining!!

[macwoozy]

What fantastic news. I can't begin to imagine how relieved and thankful you are that your dd can do so much, if not more! Wasn't she the little girl with the real low EF! Bless her.

[dinny]

Macwoozy, I am so glad the ICD is helping you. It looked like my dad was going to have one...except they have put it on hold for 3 months to see if beta-blockers control his VTs. Sounds like you are doing really well. Take care, Dinny

[spacecadet]

just read this macwoozy, assume you are on the road to recovery, my mum has a condition called wolf parkinson white syndrome and has taken beta blockers all her life, it doesnt stop her getting attacks but makes them less severe, her heart has been known to reach 280 bpm and she almost collapses, her gp has suggested its time she was reviewed by a cardiologist and possibly would benefit from something similiar to what you describe, the main consern being that the increase heart rate causes blood to pool ion some of the chambers, so shes more at risk of stroke etc. im an only child as she was advised not to have any more. i worry about her and wonder whether she should have this procedure.

[macwoozy]

dinny, I was put on drugs for almost 10 years to suppress my V.T's, but eventually they decided that an ICD was needed as well. I was on a particular powerful drug called amiodarone, apparently the best drug to stop V.T's but unfortunately side effects are numerous. I wonder if your dad might be given that. The V.T's must be really worrying for him.

spacecadet, I'm not familiar with that syndrome but if your mum suffers from such a rapid heart rate that almost causes her to collapse even though she is on medication, then it sounds like an ICD would really benefit her, especially if your gp has suggested it. The ICD has a tachycardia pacing. I've been at my happiest since I've had mine, it's such a huge relief, although might not be saying that after I've experienced my first shock.