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ICD check-up

bamagal
  • By bamagal
  • Posted July 1, 2009 at 10:54 pm · 6 replies
  • Shared with the public
0 Recommendations

14 days post BiV ICD and my check up was great! Incision is healing nicely with only slight swelling and discomfort. Most noticeable is the LACK of fatigue! I get tired some but nothing like I did, and now feel rested after sleeping! I'm cautiously optomistic that things will continue to improve. Still some breathlessness upon exertion, but better. Am going back on Lotensin. DR. seems to think that the ICD will take care of the dizzy feeling I was having before. He told me that this type of drug seems to improve heart function. I'm willing to give it a shot now.
Hope to start cardiac rehab next week. My husband says he has noticed the change in energy level and also in attitude. So far it's all good.

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Heart failure Lotensin Pacemaker

6 replies

NewAllie

That's wonderful news, and you'll be over that month of protecting your arm in plenty of time for a bit of gardening (if you can stand the heat!). I'm so glad you are feeling better. Allie

grace5

That's great news! I do love the positive posts we get on here, good news is always so uplifting!
Hugs (gentle ones)
Lidia xx

bamagal

Thanks Lidia and Allie!
What I didn't realize until after my check-up was how much in danger I was before the ICD. The tech tested my pacemaker and afterward I asked her what she did. She told me that she accelerated my heart to see when the pacemaker kicked in. What I felt when she did that was exactly what I had been feeling for a long time. I probably was having short episodes of V tach and didn't even realize it. It is sometimes hard to make Dr.s understand what you are feeling, especially if you can't catch them on a monitor. Just because you can't catch them doesn't mean they aren't there. Just more verification that I did need this device. (I had a brief period of questioning before the procedure as to whether I really needed this) Anyway, no more "tap dancing" heart beats! YEAH! Thank God for technology!
My husband asked me if I was self-conscious about my scar. Right now I am because it is so new. But here's a question, should I conceal the scar and site (I have a noticable bump) ? I may have to get a whole new wardrobe if I choose to conceal. Not sure how I feel about it. How about it ICD ladies? What do you think or have done?

maureengraz

Good morning! Glad to hear that you are feeling less fatigued after having the bi-v ICD. My husband is experiencing heart failure and gets fatigued after certain activities. He is scheduled to get his BI-V ICD on July 16th. We both can't wait to see the improvement it will make on his energy level....

Jody

I had my ICD implanted in November 08. To be honest, my sight just started feeling good in June! I have a rather large lump (device), a nice scar, but three very noticeable bumps above my scar that seemed to constantly be tender and very red. I of course went back to the surgeon who implanted the device and asked if this was normal. He said that most women don't have too much extra skin at the implant sight and the device tends to be very superficial. He said if the bumps continued to be tender I could come in and have it repositioned surgically. I truly didn't want to go through more so I waited it out and within a few weeks I started noticing it was just settling in and becoming a part of my body and the tenderness was subsiding. I have always worn low cut, v-neck due to hot flashes and always feeling flushed. I decided right away that this is who I am and this is my battle scar and I show it off proudly. Some people give a stare and some ask, and I really don't mind at all. I even wore a bathing suit in April down in Florida and was fine with it. I'm more worried about my other bumps and rolls showing so this little one in my chest is just minor! Show it off proudly and stay well Heart Sister.

bamagal

Maureengraz, Hope your hubby sees the improvements I have already. I was ready to wait 6 months or more before seeing any improvements, but was pleasantly surprised at the difference a more efficient heartbeat made ( so was the Dr.). Will be thinkingand praying for you and your hubby on the 16th (my 1 month anniversary)

Jody, thanks for the encouragement. After the new and tenderness wears off I too will probably proudly wear my "battle scar". What a great way to start a conversation about women's heart health!

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