ICD OR NOT??

• By cajngrl
• Reply 3353010
• September 6, 2012 at 3:25 pm
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The questions you pose would best be answered by your cardio doc. He knows your diagnosis and the details that go along with it the best.

I can tell you that I do have one and have never regretted getting it. It has been nearly 3 years since I got mine.

• By Jifizap
• Reply 3353113
• September 6, 2012 at 3:51 pm
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I've had an ICD for 14.5 years, and it's saved my life many times. For me, the risk of not having one is death.

• By MARYCORINNE
• Reply 3353328
• September 6, 2012 at 4:59 pm
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I like you resisted the ICD, but after 4 cardiac dr's recommended I have one placed.....I went for it. I want to be here for my girls and just can't take the risk. Who no's if my dad had one, may be he would not have died in his sleep from his enlarged heart!?

I vote to go for it!! MC

• By Pavater
• Reply 3361777
• September 9, 2012 at 7:32 pm
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My husband has a bi-ventricular ICD/Pacemaker which also synchronizes his heart beats so that it works to its best ability. His device has fired several times and we think possibly has been life saving.

• By nanasgirls12
• Reply 3395291
• September 21, 2012 at 4:38 pm
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Hi Chrisbech!!
I've had my ICD...will be five years Oct.17th....it has never gone off...but I feel very protected by it...I now have met many people who are so thankful for their ICD..I just had my echocardiagram/stress test 2 days ago..found out that the thickness has increased...am looking at a trip to Mayo clinic to determine if I need the septal ectomy...which means they will cut out the thickness...and have had great success with this procedure..which will last for 20-30 years...I will be off to Rochester, MN Mayo Clinic October 16th and 17th...and my fate is in their hands...if you have any questions check out the Mayo Clinic website...it's awesome...

Linda

• By apv1994
• Reply 3397554
• September 22, 2012 at 3:38 pm
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I am the lone dissenter. I was recommended to have an ICD placed last year but I am not comfortable with the idea. The reasoning was that I showed a few runs of 4 pvcs when I wore a holter monitor for 24 hours. My EF at diagnosis in Dec 2010 was 30%. After 15 months on coreg and enalapril, my EF is now up to 40%. I was 52 when I was diagnosed and it was so overwhelming that I decided to take time and think about an ICD. An EP told me I needed one but he spent a total of 5 minutes with me saying he had read my information and he recommended one. I guess I rebelled a little and said no, I am not ready for one. I have told my cardiologist that I will keep it in mind. I believe if I felt sicker I would give in but I work a full time job, take care of the house, mow the lawn, do errands. I get a little tired but I've been tired for years. One of the factors for me not getting one is that I have watched my brother struggle with his pacemakers (he's had heart attacks and open heart surgeries, I have not, mine is nonischemic cardiomyopathy and CHF) having leads come loose, infections, etc. So that is the no side of the ICD! Good luck with whatever you decide!

• By TyTy
• Reply 3397713
• September 22, 2012 at 5:12 pm
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I also decided to take a "wait and see" approach for several reasons (extensive statistical research, getting 4 opinions, and the disproportionate amount of pressure to have one implanted) but I will say I've spoken to a lot of people and none have regretted having it done.

• By apv1994
• Reply 3398096
• September 22, 2012 at 8:53 pm
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I also felt like there was a lot of pressure from the doctors to have this device. My cardiologist finally admitted that I was on the fence of having to have one. My EF was 30% by echo but 40% when the cath was done so he said my EF was probably around 35%. I told my cardiologist that I wasn't one of their little old lady patients who will just say "yes, doctor" and have it done. He told me that I certainly wasn't!! So I will continue my "wait and see" approach and if there comes a time then I may have one implanted.

• By nanasgirls12
• Reply 3401573 · In reply to 3353010 by cajngrl
• September 24, 2012 at 10:12 am
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thanks...so kinds of you to reply....my cardio doc is sending me to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN October 16 and 17...

• By chrisbech
• Reply 3405568
• September 25, 2012 at 4:41 pm
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Well I am having my 2nd opinion at Cleveland Clinic on October 31st. I have an appt with Dr. Harry Lever and will make my decision after I see what he has to say. I just didn't want to run into anything too fast. I'm still in sort of denial that I even have this after all of the misdiagnosis that I have gone thru. Thank you all for the responses and Nanasgirls 12, I hope everything works out for you and you are up and around in no time.

Chris

• By Pavater
• Reply 3405697
• September 25, 2012 at 5:34 pm
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So glad to hear you have the appointment for a second opinion which is always a wise move. For my husband, his episodes of V-Tach made getting an ICD a priority. I do not know if you are having that arrythmia from your post, but if you are, an ICD is definitely a treatment. Good luck and please keep us posted. You are going to one of the top heart hospitals in the nation(if not the best.) They will take good care of you.