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Fear of another SCA?

Nutbeem
0 Recommendations

Hi everyone - since we're members of a pretty exclusive club, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I'm about 16 months from my SCA, and I'm sitting here amazed about how little I think about it. I'm raising my kids, working hard, and planning for the future.

All of that could change in an instant, ICD or no ICD - the shear shock of another SCA would probably set me back a year or more.

I guess the question is, do you think about another SCA, or do you do what I do, which is tuck it way back in your memory and go on with life?

Rick

Explore topics in this discussion:

Exercise Counseling Anoxic brain injury Cardiomyopathy Anxiety Crestor Heart attack Memory Depression Stress

36 replies

AndreaA

Hey you! Over the past year I have gone days, even weeks, without thinking once about it - but it's always there in the back of my mind just waiting to bubble up. My SCA anniversary is May 13, so I'm thinking about it alot lately and probably will until 5/13, then I'll probably go back to my busy life. My three kids make sure I stay in the moment - that's what it's all about, right? So good to hear from you!

Debra71508

I think about another SCA not every day but several times a day.

I was there when my husband had 2 SCA last year (Feb and July) and was the one who called 911, did CPR and watched the EMT's Defib him back to me.

I wish I could stop thinking about it. I am on anti-anxiety meds and I am working on cognitive therapy as well.

I know if I had not been there I would have been a widow and the thought of not being there because I am at work, in the shower, asleep, in a different room, eats at me.

He now has an ICD. I hope we never need it. I also need to get a grip on the fact that one day we death will part us.

It is a "fearsome thing to love that which death will touch" they say and yet loving anything less makes no sense.

I am 51 and he is 53 and cute as a bug. No one on earth has ever made me as happy.

willysr

Hey Gang,
Please do not lose sight, that we are all human, and when pinched, we flinch! I don't believe that I have ever missed some part of the day, without a thought of a recurrance, in 21/2 years. But my wife and I , both seek help to return to some kind of normalcy.My last episode occurred about 3 weeks ago, and we have been able to calm the storm, as in the past, by praying for peace of mind, trusting GOD (whether you believe or not ), seeking 2 counseling sessions, and sharing our fears with each other. If we were only ever left with our own solutions, we would surely fail!
......And then We go on with life! NEVER GIVE UP!!
LOVE YOU ALL,
Ed & Mary

Mary1

Hi,
My first SCA was almost 3 years ago. My 2nd (obviously with the ICD) was about 1 1/2 years ago. I think about it happening at least once a day. It doesn't interfere with my daily life, but sometimes it just pops into my head, "what if it happens now??" Recently I was standing up on a counter hanging something when this thought occurred. The 2nd SCA made this fear a little worse for me. My husband believes it's because I don't remember the 1st one, but I do the 2nd one.
I think as long as we can go on with our daily activities, we may always think about it frequently but it's ok.

Nutbeem

Hey Andrea - wow, your one year is coming up - you go girl!

No, I don't go more than a day without thinking about it, but like Andrea said, with three kids there's not too much time to dwell. It's weird - I can't say I'm afraid of another one, but I'm afraid of the IMPLICATIONS of another one.

When I had my SCA, the initial diagnosis was LQT, but it's never shown itself again, and even my EP says it could have been anything. They don't have a concrete reason, so I guess I feel better thinking that it was just a one in a billion thing.

If it happens again, I'll lose the coping mechanism of thinking it was just a fluke, a lightning strike - that it's something else that will be with me the rest of my life.

vgraziano

I'm fairly new here having had my SCA Feb 13, 2009 while at work but I think you hit the nail right on the head...you have to live your life and be greatful that we all have basically been a given a second one now. I don't think so much about having another SCA but moreso now of things i'd still like to do. I am more conscious of just how precious each day is now having been robbed of a few of them and am focusing more on slowing down a bit and just taking in all that I can. I have been blessed with a wonderful wife, two great kids and terriffic family & friends-there's still lots to do!!!

Mazdathree

I too am fairly new here having had my SCA Dec 2, 2008. Thankfully my daughters (ages 16 and 12) were at home with me and they responded in record time as did the EMS team who were dispatched to my home. My ICD was placed on Jan 13, 2009. Although I was scared at the time, I have pretty much put the whole issue behind me after discussing ICD's with another cardiac patient at my local hospital. This individual just stated it as plainly as can be for me. "If it were to happen again Jim, you do not need to worry who will call 9-1-1." He said to live my life to the fullest and enjoy life as well. Good advice for sure and I'm greatful he agreed to talk with me. It was exactly what I needed to hear.

AlexlikeElvis

I think about it, but then the question really is if I'd be doing anything different than I would be at the moment it crosses my mind.

Generally the answer's "No," so I carry on.

I don't tailgate anymore, however.

EugeneJohnson

Hi all,
I had my sca on 9-11-02 and still wonder if I'll have another sca attack. I say wonder, because 6 and 1/2 years have now gone by without a reoccurance.
They tested me right after my sca by an electrophysiostatistitian and apparently I passed as I was NOT given an ICD implant!
I bought an AED to carry around in my car and home a few years ago for peace of mind for my golfing colleagues and family.
As time passes, I naturally think less and less about having another attack and more and more about living each moment fully.
We were given extra time...I enjoy each breath...my days are mostly happy and full!
Gene

Nutbeem

Wow, Gene, that's amazing. I just figured if you had SCA you got an ICD as standard treatment protocol.

I've often wondered how I would feel WITHOUT the ICD. The ICD is no big deal, and it provides great comfort - I wonder how I would feel without it. I guess you'd have to get past it and go on with life, but it would be much harder.

Good for you, you're an inspiration.

Mary1

Gene,
Did they determine the actual cause of the SCA? I'm just curious!
Mary

lsimmons31

I too had an SCA and they were unable to determine the cause. My husband and two young sons (10 and 12 at the time) were the ones who actually experienced the SCA and the aftermath because I do not remember it. In fact, my husband was faced with preparing to make a decision to disconnect me from life support after I was in a coma for 5 days. When I came out of it...everyone was stunned and to this day doctors will look at my chart, look at me, look back at my chart and say something to the effect "I can't believe you are here but even more surprising is that we are having this conversation." They recommended I have an ICD BECAUSE they could not figure out what happened to me. Absolutely nothing showed up with testing. In the 7 1/2 years I have had it, it revved up only once but never went off. (We knew about that only because of the ICD readout at my checkup) My battery is just a hair width above the replacement line and I just found out I can go in to get a new unit on May 22nd. It was such a relief to hear that, I did not realize how stressed I had been for the last year or so knowing the battery was going down but not far enough to be replaced. It is the peace of mind it brings as well as the lifesaving charge. My doctor is obligated to point out that the device has not discharged in the time I have had it and that it is my decision to have it replaced or not. I lived 48 years before "the fluke" happened to me. I was lucky to have had the volunteer ambulance team that had been trained to use the AED arrive in the ambulance that actually had the AED on it (only one of the three ambulances had an AED at the time). I went through at least 7 defib attempts (2 were successful with the 3rd attempt successful but only lasting from the top of our driveway down 250 ft to the bottom of the driveway). Of course I want it replaced with a fully charged battery!!! If I ever need 7+ hits again ( and hopefully I won't)...I need an ICD that can deliver. If I did not have this, I too would have bought my own AED but I think I would have a very large purse/bag and it would be on me at all times. (I think this is the first time I have posted...sorry if this is so long winded)

lsimmons31

Oh...and to answer the question...until my concern about the battery life...I could go months without thinking about it !

Nutbeem

Wow, great story - it's nice to hear someone farther down the line - 7 and half years is a good run.

I find my self not thinking about it very much, but it's always there. An ambulance goes by, or I'll get a run of PVC's, and it all comes back fresh.

It just amazes me how similar all of the SCA survivor stories are. Substitute a little bit here and a little bit there, and we all have the same story.

brodielad

Wow its so good to read these stories , i had my heart attack and sca , on dec 22-08 how lucky was i , i thought i was the only one , and have felt quite lonely with my thoughts , why me , etc, i,m yet to hear if they will install a icd , they will tell me on may 15th , i still get the feeling of heavyness about me you know that weighted feeling ,heavy breath almost a sigh , i,m being treated for deppression as well , i remember everything about that night , from feeling hot and intense , to conversation with the nurses and doctors, even hearing we are loosing him , to feeling at peace , then the moment of rushing back into the lights and chaos around me, phillip can you hear me , phillip do you know were you are ,( what a silly question i thought at the time ) appently i had a narrow artery from birth perhaps , my heart under duress had gone into arythmier , and at the same time a blood clot moved hit the narrow artery and stopped , for me the miracle was being in the emergency ward at that moment ,i,m so great full for all the staff and drs , they were great , now i need to focus on the future , thanks for you all being here ,, phillip

maureengraz

Hello! My husband sufferred a cardiac arrest while at work on February 13,2009. He had previously been very healthy, exercising daily and never had any previous symptoms. Thanks to his 2 coworkers and a security officer in his building, he is still here with us today! His coworkers started CPR immediately and was defibrillated within 5 minutes thanks to an AED that was in the building. Because of God's grace, he has survived with no cognitive deficits whatsoever!
I too think about this event several times throughout the day, and wonder when the thoughts of what could have happenned will lessen.
This has definitely made us both appreciate the little things in life a lot more!
What helps is sharing our story with others, to raise awareness about CPR and AED placement in public places.
I think its up to us as members of this exclusive club of survivors and their families to channel our energy into raising awareness and increasing the survival statistics of SCA.
Also, force yourself to plan activities that you used to enjoy. Get back into life and enjoy every moment!
To enjoy any less would be tragic!
I know this is easier said than done, but with time it will become easier!

Mary1

I still get teary-eyed whenever an ambulance races by.

Mary1

If you are interested in helping to raise awareness, a great place to start is by contacting your local chapter of the American Heart Association.

maureengraz

Thanks, I will.

NWWriter

Hi.
I'll be 22 years post-sca in July of this year. The one big incident I had occurred at the age of 35 while I was playing softball with friends on a field that was just around the corner from a fire station.
There were two inventions that, at that time, were considered "new and experimental". One was "car phones" and the other was "AICD's". That fact has helped me understand that life is new every day and I'm not in the same world I was in yesterday.
It took me about two or three years to get over the "uh-oh...what if..." anxiety of survivorship. Initially I was told I couldn't drive AND I had to take the magnets off my refrigerator. As the mother of two young children I don't know which one of those restrictions was harder to contemplate living with "forever".
As for anxiety, I had to work to get my mind to stop re-living the SCA. My anoxic brain injury helps me forget on a short tem basis ;) but it also sabotages my ability to keep forgetting on a long term basis. I learned that putting in a substitute thought is more effective in forgetfulness than just trying to forget alone. "Forget about it" works with some things, but let's admit it, it's pretty unrealistic to "just forget" about dying, eh? I got busier and that helped me begin setting it aside. But after all these years I've witnessed so many people who've had to overcome clinical depression after SCA that I'm a firm believer in getting checked out if you're not "right". And don't let the doctor get away with quick, condescending dismissal of your concerns. Keep going until you're heard.
This Saturday I'm going to donate a pint of blood at the blood bank. That pint will be the topper to the eleventh gallon of blood I've donated since 1988. Donating blood was one of the first efforts I made to "give back" and just that focus helped me see what I have right now that I'm grateful for. And that's helped a lot.
I'm on my seventh ICD battery and the current one is starting to run down. The batteries are replaced SO far in advance that I've learned not to worry about them going dead. ha! no pun intended! And, fyi, the ICD "beeps" at you when they're low, so if you don't hear a beep, you're ok. And if you do hear a beep (and can't find the source of the beeping in ALL your household smoke alarms!), relax and call your cardiologist.
I've found that there are moments post SCA that really are funny if I just help myself get out of the anxiety, and this web conversation is a great tool in doing that. Keep in touch!
Mary

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