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ICD and leading a normal life

sonia_66
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I am terrified at the thought of having an ICD inserted. I am on the waiting list, which is about a month away. I don't know how to prepare myself for this. I currently take heart failure medications because of an ejection fraction of 20-39%, severe left ventricle dysfunction with a large left apical aneurysm. I know there seems no other way, but I'm afraid of living in fear of not knowing when the device will go off. I suffer from palpitations and SVTs. I would appreciate any information about what to expect and tips on how to cope.

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Heart failure Pain

1 reply

andybelfast

Hi Sonia and welcome to the site!

I had an ICD fitted on 21st September. I had gone in for an electrophysiology test and had agreed with the Surgeon that he could go ahead and fit the device if his tests showed electrical problems with my heart. They did.

I went from lying on the table with just a local to a general aneasthetic. This was seamless as far as I was concerned. I came round about 2 hours later with the device fitted. Pain management was straight forward as the aneasthetic kept me pain free initially and I only needed a couple of painkillers that evening.

My physical recovery has been smooth, with the site being a little tender for the first few days and a bit weird to look at.

I fully understand your concerns about having the device and perhaps being dependant upon it. The way I look at this is to consider the alternatives. I had an SCA back on May 12th. I crashed my car when this happened and drove in to a house desroying a garage. I know I'm only here because people did the right things and saved my life. I was uninjured, although I needed an emergency triple bypass.I won't get the same chance again. That's why I can literally 'live' with an ICD.

Hope this helps you as you prepare for your own ICD.

Best regards,

Andy

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