Re: Abdominal implanted ICD's and lead problems.

[Guest guest]

I'm on third implant.... it is as the first two were: Tummy mount.

No lead problems so far.

Duffey

[Guest guest]

Hi, My name is Jack. I had an abdominal ICD implant in 1994. I started to receive inappropriate repeated shocks after having my ICD interrogated in 1997. The only way my doctor could turn off the device was by taping two large magnets over the ICD. He first tried one magnet but it would move a little when I walked and I would get a shock. The doctor was worried about operating on a live device. He placed a sterile magnet over the device after the incision. My leads were found to be eroded from rubbing against the ICD. The replacement ICD was put in my chest and I have had no discomfort with it.

Abdominal implanted ICD's and lead problems.

Hello Group,

I was wondering if anyone in the group still has an abdominal ICD implanted besides myself?

Also, anyone who used to have an abdominal implant and now has a chest implanted device please give me there opinion on the experience. I have talked with a couple of people who say the new chest devices although there now quite small, they are more uncomfortable in the chest area. My fist device was huge, the size of 2 cigarette packs and weighed a pound, my second device was half the size only 3 years later. My current device (Implanted 2 years ago) is the size of a pager but a little thinner.Apparently the main advantage to the chest implants are it requires only one operation and a much reduced risk (So the doctors tell me) of lead problems.

Many people have had lead failures with the abdominal implants that were either discovered at an EP interrogation or received inappropriate repeated shocks out of the blue.

Thanks in advance,

DavePlease visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org

[Guest guest]

Thanks for you response Jack,

I must tell you I have the utmost respect for anyone who has had to endure inappropriate repeated shocks.

Just yesterday I told my wife I want to get a strong magnet to have around in case this scary situation arises.

She was not very receptive to the idea, (I am sure neither would my Doctor's) but I know when I am having a heart episode and if I can feel a pulse then I know I am not in V-tach. For me it seems like a prudent move. I had my wisdom teeth removed in the local hospital a few months back and that is exactly what they did during the surgery to deactivate my device temporarily.

Good health,

Dave

Abdominal implanted ICD's and lead problems.

Hello Group,

I was wondering if anyone in the group still has an abdominal ICD implanted besides myself?

Also, anyone who used to have an abdominal implant and now has a chest implanted device please give me there opinion on the experience. I have talked with a couple of people who say the new chest devices although there now quite small, they are more uncomfortable in the chest area. My fist device was huge, the size of 2 cigarette packs and weighed a pound, my second device was half the size only 3 years later. My current device (Implanted 2 years ago) is the size of a pager but a little thinner.Apparently the main advantage to the chest implants are it requires only one operation and a much reduced risk (So the doctors tell me) of lead problems.

Many people have had lead failures with the abdominal implants that were either discovered at an EP interrogation or received inappropriate repeated shocks out of the blue.

Thanks in advance,

DavePlease visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org

[Guest guest]

How do you tell if a zap is appropriate or not? The DR told us sometimes you do not feel the pulse itself, just feel something is wrong. did not feel good, flat lined and his unit charged (could tell from the monitor in the ER), but the DR started compressions so I do not know if the unit would have fired. If he did not feel good and used a magnet he would not be here today. The reason he did not feel good and felt like it was going to fire is he threw a clot. So VT is not the only reason with that he will fire, but he got the unit for VT, and SCD.

Gail

Abdominal implanted ICD's and lead problems.

Hello Group,

I was wondering if anyone in the group still has an abdominal ICD implanted besides myself?

Also, anyone who used to have an abdominal implant and now has a chest implanted device please give me there opinion on the experience. I have talked with a couple of people who say the new chest devices although there now quite small, they are more uncomfortable in the chest area. My fist device was huge, the size of 2 cigarette packs and weighed a pound, my second device was half the size only 3 years later. My current device (Implanted 2 years ago) is the size of a pager but a little thinner.Apparently the main advantage to the chest implants are it requires only one operation and a much reduced risk (So the doctors tell me) of lead problems.

Many people have had lead failures with the abdominal implants that were either discovered at an EP interrogation or received inappropriate repeated shocks out of the blue.

Thanks in advance,

DavePlease visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org

[Guest guest]

Gail.

You failed to tell us how is now. I certainly hope that

everything has worked out. It is really scary when you think of all

the problems an ailing heart can cause, but I think a clot is one of

my worst fears. My prayers for you both.

Ralph

[Guest guest]

My Device nurse was not very keen on the idea but she came around

when I said I can tell when my heart is okay and when it isn't. She

then said, " Well, I guess it would be okay if you only used it when

you were 100% certain your heart was fine. "

Bridget

> Thanks for you response Jack,

> I must tell you I have the utmost respect for anyone who has had to

endure inappropriate repeated shocks.

> Just yesterday I told my wife I want to get a strong magnet to have

around in case this scary situation arises.

> She was not very receptive to the idea, (I am sure neither would my

Doctor's) but I know when I am having a heart episode and if I can

feel a pulse then I know I am not in V-tach. For me it seems like a

prudent move. I had my wisdom teeth removed in the local hospital a

few months back and that is exactly what they did during the surgery

to deactivate my device temporarily.

>

> Good health,

>

> Dave

>

>

>

> Abdominal implanted ICD's and lead problems.

>

>

> Hello Group,

> I was wondering if anyone in the group still has an abdominal

ICD implanted besides myself?

> Also, anyone who used to have an abdominal implant and now has

a chest implanted device please give me there opinion on the

experience. I have talked with a couple of people who say the new

chest devices although there now quite small, they are more

uncomfortable in the chest area.

> My fist device was huge, the size of 2 cigarette packs and

weighed a pound, my second device was half the size only 3 years

later. My current device (Implanted 2 years ago) is the size of a

pager but a little thinner.

> Apparently the main advantage to the chest implants are it

requires only one operation and a much reduced risk (So the doctors

tell me) of lead problems.

> Many people have had lead failures with the abdominal implants

that were either discovered at an EP interrogation or received

inappropriate repeated shocks out of the blue.

>

> Thanks in advance,

>

> Dave

>

>

> Please visit the Zapper homepage at

> http://www.ZapLife.org

>

>

>

> Please visit the Zapper homepage at

> http://www.ZapLife.org

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

This was last year when he got 9 zaps. He is doing really good. The EP has questioned if he is ready for the 3 lead. As this will help the heart in a more "normal" beat. When it is "normal" he won't have as much of a crappy feeling. I think he is going to go for the 3 lead. Driving me crazy as he has for the last 31 years ;-)

Gail

Re: Abdominal implanted ICD's and lead problems.

Gail.You failed to tell us how is now. I certainly hope thateverything has worked out. It is really scary when you think of allthe problems an ailing heart can cause, but I think a clot is one ofmy worst fears. My prayers for you both.RalphPlease visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org

[Guest guest]

If I would get a shock while feeling well and no obvious arrhythmia, I would be on my way to a doctor or ER. If I would receive another inappropriate shock on the way , I would use a magnet if handy. If I would start feeling bad or detect an arrhythmia I would remove the magnet. I have a Medtronic Jewel. A magnet only disables this device. It will harm it according to my EP. In my case of receiving inappropriate shocks, I called the nurse who had just interrogated the device and she told me to come right in. When she could not read or shutoff my device she call my EP. He had me put in a ambulance for a 45 mile trip to the hospital in Indianapolis where he was on call. I received a shock while hooked up to the monitor in the ambulance. My heart was in normal rhythm. The EMT asked me If I wanted a magnet place over the device. Of course I said YES!.

Jack

Abdominal implanted ICD's and lead problems.

Hello Group,

I was wondering if anyone in the group still has an abdominal ICD implanted besides myself?

Also, anyone who used to have an abdominal implant and now has a chest implanted device please give me there opinion on the experience. I have talked with a couple of people who say the new chest devices although there now quite small, they are more uncomfortable in the chest area. My fist device was huge, the size of 2 cigarette packs and weighed a pound, my second device was half the size only 3 years later. My current device (Implanted 2 years ago) is the size of a pager but a little thinner.Apparently the main advantage to the chest implants are it requires only one operation and a much reduced risk (So the doctors tell me) of lead problems.

Many people have had lead failures with the abdominal implants that were either discovered at an EP interrogation or received inappropriate repeated shocks out of the blue.

Thanks in advance,

DavePlease visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org