Re: Re: AICD Replacement

[Guest guest]

Barb,

You are

fortunate that yours lasted so long. Mine was replaced last week, and it was first installed in

October of 1999. Fortunately, I

haven’t had to endure any Defib shocks since it was set back in ’99.

If the

leads will be reused, exchanging the units is a rather simple procedure. The Surgeon will cut the old scar out,

so when healed, you’ll have only one scar at the site, just as before. The new unit will be smaller than the

old one. Scar tissue encapsulates

the AICD, so the surgeon will cut the scar tissue away (usually with a laser). The new AICD will be plugged into the

old leads (again, if the old leads will be reused). The incision will be closed with self dissolving sutures in

the inside. Tape will be placed at

right angles to the stitched incision, all the way across it. A bandage will be placed over the

tape. Usually, the bandage will be

removed the next day. You will

probably go home that day. Some

people may go home the day of the procedure. The tape will have to stay on for a week, then you can remove

it. You shouldn’t shower for that

week. You can sponge yourself in

the tub, keeping the tape dry. The

procedure is usually done under local anesthesia. You will be awake, but will be given tranquilizers

beforehand.

That was

the procedure for my AICD replacement.

I would think that all surgeons would use a similar procedure.

When I

press on my site, it feels a bit spongy.

I attribute that to lymph collecting in the pocket as part of the

healing process. The lymph will be

resorbed as the pocket heals. Then,

this much smaller AICD probably won’t protrude from my chest (as the other one

did).

Norm

-----Original

Message-----

From: Hope4843@...

[mailto:Hope4843@...]

Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2003 9:23

PM

Subject: Re: AICD

Replacement

Hi

Everyone. Just wanted to get some input from any of you who have had your

defib replaced due to the battery getting low. I had mine interrogated

today and was told that " it's time " , that I have to have it replaced

within two or three weeks. It was implanted in August of 1996 so I guess I got

my money's worth out of it. I have it tentatively scheduled for July

25. Any advice or comments on what I can expect? I have a somewhat

unusual situation in that after this implantation in 1996, I had to have a dual-chamber

pacemaker implanted in my right upper chest in 1998 due to the fact that I had

virtually complete block between the upper and lower chambers. In this

upcoming procedure, I am getting a dual-chamber AICD which will replace the

AICD I presently have in my upper left chest; although the dual-chamber

pacemaker that is in my right upper chest will be left where it is and the

leads from that pacemaker will be " capped off " . As I understand

it, the incision in my upper left chest to replace the generator on my

present AICD will be over the present scar I have from the original

procedure in 1996. I'm already getting a bit nervous about it and

will probably be a basket case by the 25th. I tend to be quite a

worrier. I would appreciate hearing about anyone's experience either with

having a replacement or having one implanted recently for the first

time. Have the procedures changed much now and what can you tell me

about your experience? I think I just need some reassurance.

Thanks! Barb

[Guest guest]

Hi Barb, just to put your fears to rest, my son had his ICD replaced and it was completely uneventful. It was a day surgery procedure, but his bloodpressure dropped when he got up, so he stayed over night...but it was so much easier than the initial surgery when they put the ICD in. My daughter will need her battery changed in the next 3 months and I'm not anticipating any problems...it should be fine. Try not to worry.

[Guest guest]

Hi Barb,

I had mine changed out on June 13th. I'm envious of your battery life - I didn't make 3 years. It is very easy. I was in at 6, out by 1. Pain was very minimal. The worst part was waiting for all the sticky stuff to fall off! LOL

Best of luck, you won't have any problems.

Re: AICD Replacement

Hi Everyone. Just wanted to get some input from any of you who have had your defib replaced due to the battery getting low. I had mine interrogated today and was told that "it's time", that I have to have it replaced within two or three weeks. It was implanted in August of 1996 so I guess I got my money's worth out of it. I have it tentatively scheduled for July 25. Any advice or comments on what I can expect? I have a somewhat unusual situation in that after this implantation in 1996, I had to have a dual-chamber pacemaker implanted in my right upper chest in 1998 due to the fact that I had virtually complete block between the upper and lower chambers. In this upcoming procedure, I am getting a dual-chamber AICD which will replace the AICD I presently have in my upper left chest; although the dual-chamber pacemaker that is in my right upper chest will be left where it is and the leads from that pacemaker will be "capped off". As I understand it, the incision in my upper left chest to replace the generator on my present AICD will be over the present scar I have from the original procedure in 1996. I'm already getting a bit nervous about it and will probably be a basket case by the 25th. I tend to be quite a worrier. I would appreciate hearing about anyone's experience either with having a replacement or having one implanted recently for the first time. Have the procedures changed much now and what can you tell me about your experience? I think I just need some reassurance. Thanks! Barb Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org

[Guest guest]

Barb;

My experience is the same... They gave me a drug called versed

which helps you "forget" and just uts you to sleep. However I woke

up as they took their first cut and said ouch! They were shocked

(I mean surprised!) and gave me more drug, I said ouch again, as I felt

tugging, it was not traumatic at all, just barely new I was there!

But I was in by 10am and out by 2pm. Yes they used the same scare

line, and because the "pocket" is already there, they pop one unit out

and the other in... No pain, just minimal soreness at the incision.

It is truly a peice of cake... Now capping off the wires from your

pacemaker on the other side it interesting - don't know how they would

do that. Perhaps remove the pacemaker and cap off the wires from

the top? So sounds like you might have two incisions. I am

sure it will be simple.

Good luck to you and let us know how it goes.

~guin

mai_lin wrote:

Hi

Barb, I had mine changed

out on June 13th. I'm envious of your battery life - I didn't make

3 years. It is very easy. I was in at 6, out by 1. Pain

was very minimal. The worst part was waiting for all the sticky stuff

to fall off! LOL Best

of luck, you won't have any problems.

[Guest guest]

, thank you so much for your reassurance. It makes me feel SO much better. I didn't realize that everyone's ICDs didn't last this long, but that's what others have written me too. Has yours fired a bunch of times? I guess that would make the battery wear out sooner. Mine has only fired on one occasion but multiple times on that occasion.

Now, since I'm such a worrier, I have one more question: Doesn't it start beeping at sometime along the way when it's getting low? And, if so, does it just keep beeping until it's changed? Is the beeping loud? I would hate to beep for the next three weeks! Also, I'm hesitant to drive very much because I don't know what happens when it finally gives out. And I'm thinking that I don't want to be in a lot of public places, even the mall or at church or anywhere, and have it start beeping loudly, if it is a loud beep, and have everyone staring at me. I didn't think to ask the doctor about this when I was there. I was so surprised that "it was time" that I couldn't think of much of anything then.

Thanks again for taking the time to answer. Barb

[Guest guest]

, thank you so much for responding and for the reassurance. That really helps. And you have TWO children with AICDs? How old are they? One lady I know who really needs to get one keeps putting it off because she thinks that is something that just "old people" have. I've told her that isn't so. My daughter's old boyfriend has one that he had had since he was 16. I think where one's health is concerned and possibly one's life, vanity is the last thing to worry about!

I have one other question: When the battery gets down to a certain low, I have heard that it or something starts beeping. Does it just keep beeping until it's replaced and how loud is it? I would hate to start beeping out in some public place and wouldn't want to keep beeping for three weeks when the surgery is scheduled, especially if it is very loud. I told you I was a worrier!

Thanks for any input you can give on that and thank you again for taking the time to respond. Barb

[Guest guest]

Hi Barb, my children are 20 and 16...my son (20) has had his for 6 years and had his battery replaced once (actually they put a newer & smaller ICD since it was the newer model). My daughter is 16 and had hers put in in January of 2000, and her battery has about 3 months left on it. Both of the children have ICD's that are set for a certain time of the day for it to play a certain sound (I forget what it sounds like...the doctor let us hear it once during an interrogation)...but it sounded pretty low, so I don't think it'll be too noticable to those around you. You'll probably be told what time of the day it'll be scheduled for so you could be aware. Glad I could help...stay well & God Bless.