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Several members/SO's have posted that their ICD has activated one or several times. Then what? Do you have to go to the hospital? Do you just go on with your task? Do you see a white light? Just kidding. What exactly happens? Thanks for the info!
Hi Carol,
When my ICD fired, I didn't even know for sure it had. I passed out before it happened, so I didn't feel anything. When I woke up on the kitchen floor, I suspected that's what happened. I walked upstairs to my bedroom to lay down, and then called the doctor. He told me as long as I felt OK, just wait until the next day to transmit my info to them. Because it happened just before Christmas, and on a weekend, I didn't know until 3 days later that I'd had another full cardiac arrest and that my ICD had saved me. I went to the hospital to be checked out, but i was only there for a few hours.
For a little while right after the incident, my arm felt tingly, and I any clothing that touched my upper left side felt really uncomfortable. That went away by the next day, if I remember correctly.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Mary
What our doctor has told us.... If my husband recieves a shock to sit and relax, transmit a reading and call him in the morning. If he recives another shock with in 24 hours...head to the emergency room.
Mary1:
Thanks for your response. Do you worry it will happen again? Were you released to drive at the time? Did they put you on restriction again? I'm glad your little friend whacked you. It's comforting to hear that they really do work. Are you limited in any other physical way? Sorry for all the questions, but even though my incident occured May 2, I'm really still a baby at this whole disease. Thanks again, cg
Thanks, Sassy1. I guess I didn't ask enough questions at my office visit. I've learned a great deal from reading discussions in this forum and appreciate all the foks who are willing to share (and bare their soul) to us. I don't really "expect" to have another event, but since I live alone, I was just kind of wondering what to do if I woke up from it. Thanks again for your reply. cg
Hi Carol,
I am more than happy to answer any of your questions. Not only does it help you, but I still find it therapeutic for me. First one... yes, I do still worry about it happening again. Honestly, I am not even really sure why. When it happened the second time, it was not a horrible experience. I just had never felt that dizzy before, and then I passed out. A few months ago I got really dizzy (when I was coming out of a funeral home, of all places!) and I panicked. I grabbed onto my husband, and then started sobbing. I was more surprised by my reaction than what actually happened. But it showed me how scared I still feel after 3 years. I guess the moral of that story is that I was living my life pretty normally, but the scary feelings are hiding just below the surface.
After this incident, I was out of work for about 6 weeks. I felt "weird" for a lot of that time, although I couldn't really pinpoint what was wrong. But it eventually passed. I was not only put on restriction for driving for 6 months, my doctor said she doesn't think I should drive at all. Both times I had the SCA, I passed out with no notice. There would never be enough time to react while driving. They don't have any idea what caused my SCA, so it's totally unpredictable when or if it happens again. Other than that, I have no other restrictions.
Carol, I know this is really hard. I had soooo many questions and it took me over a year to find this site. Do you know what caused your SCA? It is definitely life-changing. It is not easily forgotten. But it is easier now. Let me know if you have more questions or need anything else.
Take care.
Mary
Dear CarolG: If you were to get a shock, use your judgment. If you feel ok afterwards, call your doctor. If you still don't feel right, go to the ER. I had a shock 5 months after my SCA. Like Mary1, I passed out first and wasn't even sure I had been shocked. I don't know how to describe what I felt, but I just didn't feel "right," so I asked the person I was with to call 911. I'm glad I did. I had another episode in the ambulance, and several more at the hospital (I went into a VT "storm").
I'm grateful for my ICD and its life-saving power!!
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