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I got my ICD on August 20th, and still recovering. Can anyone tell me how long the recovering process is? I feel like its healing over..i was getting that pulling feeling at first, then the heaviness like there is a rock in my chest, and now it feels like its tighting around the muscle area. Is this normal? I am also afraid I might pull a lead out..how will i know? I am going through so many reactions right now.
thank you...this board has been a real comfort to me so far reading everyone's post. I feel like i'm not alone..thanks.
Flowerdove,
I think what you are going through is natural. Just rest and take care of yourself. My husband had one placed in June and he is doing fine.
Diane
Hi there flowerdove
I had my ICD implanted on February 19th this year after having three cardiac arrests in two days (the first one was on Friday 13th Feb of all days!!!........I will never feel the same way about Friday 13th again)
At first when coming out of hospital the world seems a very scary place, and confidence levels are at an all time low, however I can promise you that this does pass and as each day goes by you get braver and do just that little bit more!! until finally life becomes normal again.
My confidence was really boosted by going away on holiday for a couple of weeks,you completely relax and have lots of other things to think about!
As for the healing process, it does take some time, I was aware of the "box" for a while but now I only know its there when I touch it or knock it which is a little painful, also the wires are fixed fairly firmly and if you take things easy for the first few months leads coming loose shouldn't be a problem.
I hope this helps I agree its so nice corresponding with people who know exactly what you are going through, take care and just keep thinking positive.
Regards
Sue
My ICD was implanted 3-27-07. I was 36 at the time. At first the ICD hurt all the time. I was also afraid I would pull out the leads but as time goes on it gets easier. After 2 years, my left shoulder will some times hurt but I'm also left handed. In the beginning I always knew the ICD was there. Now I don't seem to know it is there at every moment.
Things will get better. I am much more confident now.
linda
I've had my ICD/pacemaker since January 2004. I know it's a scary thing. Just rest, and take it easy for a while, and soon things will get back "normal", more or less. Don't worry about pulling the leads out, and the heaviness and fullness feeling will pass. I think it just takes some time for not only your body, but your mind to adjust to the fact there is a foreign object in your chest. As the area heals, it will feel much like any other wound healing. Think about when you have a cut or scratch or something, and as it scabs over there is that pulling sensation. Your body is healing. Try not to panic, but if it gets where it bothers you, don't hesitate to call your doctor.
Good luck!
i had my icd put in may 08 after sca it was a just defib but had a pacemaker/defib put in sep 08. it does take awhile to get use to it, and after awhile you foget its there. remember, its there to keep you alive and thats the important thing no matter what discomfort it causes in the beginning. god is watching out for all of us that have icd's and we are here for a reason. we just have to figure out for what. my prayers are with you and your family. Pete Costello
Thanks for the replies. Just wondering when it heals over more, is the feeling from this thing more different each day? From the pulling, to the stretching, to the squeezing? Also, does anyone recall how long it takes before they were able to sleep on their side again without discomfort? Sleeping on my back is getting quite old!
flowerdove- I am just now finally able to lay on my left side. I got my ICD in April. All of the feelings you are having are completely normal. I am still getting use to the ICD and am not yet at the point where I forget it is there. I'm sure everyone is different. Mine no longer feels like it's pulling, but it sticks out pretty far in my chest and I get twinges now and again. Hang in there.
I can only sleep on my left side for a little while, before it feels like that whole side is going numb. I've had my device for 5 1/2 years. I have no problem sleeping on my right side. When I am on the left side, after a bit it feels like my lil friend is pushing into the mattress and she doesn't like that. :-) I don't know if that's what causes the numbess or if it's something totally unrelated like the carpal tunnel I've got in my left arm. It takes a while to readjust, but you'll get there!
Sure would be nice to sleep like I use to sleep..i called my doctor's office this morning before it felt...literally, like I had 25 boa constricters wrapped around my neck..that is how tight this little box felt of mine when i woke up this morning. hmm..i do find it helps putting on some clothes so the gravity isn't squeezing on me.
Flowerdove,
I was very concerned in the beginning about mine. It was implanted July 9, 09, about a month before school started back. In the beginning, I could feel alot of unusual things, couldn't lie on that side, and I could tell when it kicked in. Now it is just very tender, but most everything else is returning to normal. Mine is pacing at a very high percentage, so I still feel something every once in a while, but now I don't worry at all.
Just give it some time and get used to being sore. Two to three weeks seemed to be the "magic" time for me. Everyday it seemed like I gained a little more energy. I went back to school and did everything that I always have. I think it is a lot harder to pull a lead out than we think, so try not to worry about that. They can tell at your visits. My first St. Jude ICD appointment was last week and very informative. Good luck and keep us updated.
Vicki
Oh yeah, I couldn't sleep on that side to begin with, but when I went back to the St. Jude ICD doctor it showed I was pacing at 67% on top lead and 30 something on bottom. He made a small adjustment (a millisecond change) and that night I was able to sleep on my side!!! This has been so great! It is still tender but I don't here or feel the loud beating now! A miracle and what a great feeling, I get so much more rest now!
Vicki
Thanks! Reading posts on this site has really helped me a whole lot getting through this. Today, my ICD feels like its more "active" than normal. I started my classes this week, and its three days a week for four hours. I perhaps had two cups of coffee at breakfast, and then went to JC penney to a bedding sale, so maybe I did too much. I felt it jump just a tiny bit on the way home. By the way, my doctor still said I can drive..does driving scare you?
Flowerdove,
My doctor said no caffeine. I am a reformed mt. dew addict. lol. Sometimes I have a little tea and I can tell it is more active. Wednesday at school, we had a fight and I ran without thinking to get the "men" at our high school, saw that I had a flat tire as I went through the parking lot, and when I returned a few teachers were doing hall duty under the bell and it rang, LOUD! I started feeling little shocks for a few minutes after that. Funny that I ran to get help without even thinking of my condition until it was over. Everything worked out fine though.
I think my icd has paced at such a high percentage is because the month that I have had it school started back and of course it has been crazy. Maybe with the small adjustment and things settling down, it will not have to work so hard! Oh well, that's what it is for anyway, but my dr. doesn't like it, he says that my own heart is not having to work enough. I think it is taking a well deserved rest! lol./
Vicki
Driving has not bothered me at all either. After my lst visit after one week, he set me free. I just have to wear my seatbelt under my arm, it drives me crazy! Just try to take it slow and easy!
Vicki.
P.s. I noticed some typos above, that's what I get for not taking the time to preview! (here - hear)
Dear Flowerdove,
You can try what I've been doing, not if, but when I experience any fears or anxieties as a result of my implant(9/1/06). Try repeating the Serenity Prayer, until the feelings subside.
(GOD, GRANT ME THE SERENITY TO ACCEPT THE THINGS, I CANNOT CHANGE, THE COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS I CAN, AND THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.) IT WORKS, IT REALLY WORKS!!!! Trust GOD & your doctors and the support of this community. Who else would know better than those who have been there!
I keep forgetting to ask this question. On my discharge instructions, they said not to raise my arm above my shoulder for eight weeks. How soon is reasonable when it would be ok to do so before eight weeks time?
Dear Flowerdove
I got an ICD on Feb 18 ,2007 and i am back to doing all the things I did before like tennis, walking, driving a car and generally enjoying life. Hopefully you will soon too. It did not take me long to get into the swing of things. I was just past my 65th birthday when I had my sudden cardiac arrest. I now look at my ICD as a second heart and how many people can say that.
Be well my friend
David
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