Re: How soon will I feel nornal

[Guest guest]

Hi Lynn, My son's ICD shocked him 8 times in August. He was so frightened, he felt ill for several hours after that. For quite some time after that he was worried that it would shock him again, actually he fears it still, as it is painful. I remind him that it is there to save his life. He told me that it took him several months after the initial surgery to feel really good, now he participates in activities but has to take it easy if he doesn't feel well. He says that his anxiety goes up when his heart rate increases as he fears being shocked again, so anxiety is normal. My son takes 2 different medications one for heart rhythm and one for BP. Let your Dr. know how you feel and talk to other people too, that might help. We called our pacemaker company which happens to be Medtronic and asked them for information about the ICD, they sent us a big box full of really neat things and answered so

many questions, you might try doing that with Guidant, they want to be helpful and make your life easier. I hope you feel better soon and you can start enjoying more things. LaurieLynn <LTristrem@...> wrote: How soon will I feel nornal I had my ICU put in 12/13/05 its a Guidant model #H177 3 weeks later a lead came lose & I got shocked about 7 or 8 times when back to hospital & they repaired in ever since then I'm arfaid & scared I'm going to get shocked again I feel depressed sometimes too. I'm also on xanax 3x a day. Can anu one give me any support. Thanks Lynn I'm a new member.

[Guest guest]

Did they find out what cause the shocks? I'm glad he is OK. How would I go about getting a box of information from Guidant? Did it answer allot of your questions. Ever since mine shocked me I have been scare to & afraid to move around to quickly. Thanks for answering back. I live in Winter Park, Fl More later, Lynn

PS What the names of hes medications?

Re: How soon will I feel nornal

Hi Lynn,

My son's ICD shocked him 8 times in August. He was so frightened, he felt ill for several hours after that. For quite some time after that he was worried that it would shock him again, actually he fears it still, as it is painful. I remind him that it is there to save his life. He told me that it took him several months after the initial surgery to feel really good, now he participates in activities but has to take it easy if he doesn't feel well. He says that his anxiety goes up when his heart rate increases as he fears being shocked again, so anxiety is normal. My son takes 2 different medications one for heart rhythm and one for BP. Let your Dr. know how you feel and talk to other people too, that might help. We called our pacemaker company which happens to be Medtronic and asked them for information about the ICD, they sent us a big box full of really neat things and answered so many questions, you might try doing that with Guidant, they want to be helpful and make your life easier.

I hope you feel better soon and you can start enjoying more things.

LaurieLynn <LTristrem@...> wrote:

How soon will I feel nornal I had my ICU put in 12/13/05 its a Guidant model #H177 3 weeks later a lead came lose & I got shocked about 7 or 8 times when back to hospital & they repaired in ever since then I'm arfaid & scared I'm going to get shocked again I feel depressed sometimes too. I'm also on xanax 3x a day. Can anu one give me any support. Thanks Lynn I'm a new member.

[Guest guest]

Hi Lynn, Look up on the internet site www.guidant.com, find their 800 phone number and call them. Ask them to send you pamphlets and any kind of information they have about your specific ICD, hopefully they can send you the information that you want. My son even received a replica of the ICD that he has, really cool! He was able to share it with his friends. the pamphlets gave us so much information, it was great and very informative. The reason his ICD shocked him was because we were in altitude and he was doing more than he should have. Plus his medication was too low and the ICD setting weren't quite right...after being life flighted to Children's, and staying overnight for observation along with medication and ICD changes, he hasn't received another shock and he has been fine. He is on Atelolol for heart arrythmia and also Enalapril for blood

pressure. Good luck, and ask your doctor about anything, he is there to answer your questions and to help you better understand your ICD. I always ask tons of questions. If you would like to talk via your own email address, send me yours and we can talk back and forth if you like. Chat later. Laurie Lynn T Sweeten <LTristrem@...> wrote: Did they find out what cause the shocks? I'm glad he is OK. How would I go about getting a box of information from Guidant? Did it answer allot of your questions. Ever since mine shocked me I have been scare to & afraid to move around to quickly. Thanks for answering back. I live in Winter Park, Fl More later,

Lynn PS What the names of hes medications? Re: How soon will I feel nornal Hi Lynn, My son's ICD shocked him 8 times in August. He was so frightened, he

felt ill for several hours after that. For quite some time after that he was worried that it would shock him again, actually he fears it still, as it is painful. I remind him that it is there to save his life. He told me that it took him several months after the initial surgery to feel really good, now he participates in activities but has to take it easy if he doesn't feel well. He says that his anxiety goes up when his heart rate increases as he fears being shocked again, so anxiety is normal. My son takes 2 different medications one for heart rhythm and one for BP. Let your Dr. know how you feel and talk to other people too, that might help. We called our pacemaker company which happens to be Medtronic and asked them for information about the ICD, they sent us a big box full of really neat things and answered so many questions, you might try doing that with Guidant, they want to be helpful and make your life

easier. I hope you feel better soon and you can start enjoying more things. LaurieLynn <LTristrem@...> wrote: How soon will I feel nornal I had my ICU put in 12/13/05 its a Guidant model #H177 3 weeks later a lead came lose & I got shocked about 7 or 8 times when back to hospital & they repaired in ever since then I'm arfaid & scared I'm going to get shocked again I feel depressed sometimes too. I'm also on xanax 3x a day. Can anu one give me any support. Thanks Lynn I'm a new member.

[Guest guest]

Lynn;

My heart goes out to you... I felt normal within two - three months of implant and that was more than 6 years ago when I was 41. Today I go days without even thinking of my ICD. However I did not have the set back that you did. I had a very uneventful recovery - thank God. All I can say is time will heal. My elderly friend was shocked 30 times while being airlifted - she needed every single shock to stay alive. It took her months to get over that and of course with the help of medication. She is now fine and realizes the ICD did its job and she is here today because of it. The alternative is not good. I think if you try to keep a positive thought and see the ICD as your guardian angel and not a negative thing, things will start to turn around. I see the ICD as something to watch over my heart, so that I don't have to. I can go on and live my life without worry. The heart issue itself is hard to overcome. I did not have the stamina that had I had before. That was hard, but after learning my limitations and being grateful to see my kids grow up - even if I had to live like a Grandmother - for that I was grateful. My kids are now 16, 16, & 21. They are happy to have me, and I am happy to watch them grow.

Please continue your xanax, perhaps see a counselor, although it is hard to find one who understands the ICD, but one who knows how to deal with critically ill patients is good. And just know it takes time and take one day at time. You will find ALL the support you need on line at support groups just as this.

Welcome to your new family. Good luck and keep us posted.

~guin

47 in CA

Lynn <LTristrem@...> wrote:

How soon will I feel nornal I had my ICU put in 12/13/05 its a Guidant model #H177 3 weeks later a lead came lose & I got shocked about 7 or 8 times when back to hospital & they repaired in ever since then I'm arfaid & scared I'm going to get shocked again I feel depressed sometimes too. I'm also on xanax 3x a day. Can anu one give me any support. Thanks Lynn I'm a new member.

[Guest guest]

Thank you very much I will let you know what I find out. God Bless, Lynn

Re: How soon will I feel nornal

Hi Lynn,

My son's ICD shocked him 8 times in August. He was so frightened, he felt ill for several hours after that. For quite some time after that he was worried that it would shock him again, actually he fears it still, as it is painful. I remind him that it is there to save his life. He told me that it took him several months after the initial surgery to feel really good, now he participates in activities but has to take it easy if he doesn't feel well. He says that his anxiety goes up when his heart rate increases as he fears being shocked again, so anxiety is normal. My son takes 2 different medications one for heart rhythm and one for BP. Let your Dr. know how you feel and talk to other people too, that might help. We called our pacemaker company which happens to be Medtronic and asked them for information about the ICD, they sent us a big box full of really neat things and answered so many questions, you might try doing that with Guidant, they want to be helpful and make your life easier.

I hope you feel better soon and you can start enjoying more things.

LaurieLynn <LTristrem@...> wrote:

How soon will I feel nornal I had my ICU put in 12/13/05 its a Guidant model #H177 3 weeks later a lead came lose & I got shocked about 7 or 8 times when back to hospital & they repaired in ever since then I'm arfaid & scared I'm going to get shocked again I feel depressed sometimes too. I'm also on xanax 3x a day. Can anu one give me any support. Thanks Lynn I'm a new member.

[Guest guest]

Lynn,

I think you will have a new kind of " normal " . Seems there is an

adjustment period and everything has to be just so, the meds, the

device adjusted. It is so important to keep receiving social support.

I hope getting the Guidant info helps you. You take care.

> How soon will I feel nornal I had my ICU put in 12/13/05

its a Guidant

> model #H177 3 weeks later a lead came lose & I got shocked

about 7 or

> 8 times when back to hospital & they repaired in ever since

then I'm

> arfaid & scared I'm going to get shocked again I feel

depressed

> sometimes too. I'm also on xanax 3x a day. Can anu one give

me any

> support. Thanks Lynn I'm a new member.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Lynn,

Like someone else said, normal will be different than what is was before your ICD. Even without the ICD whatever problem caused you to need it would make life a little different. When you go thru shocks it often leads you to have symptoms of PTSD but over time these lessen and you eventually learn to live as much as you can without doing too much. It is an adjustment but it gets easier and with the big factor of "TIME" you learn to get along with your ICD and be thankful it is there if you need it. I can say this because I have been down this road for several years now and know the journey it takes.

Talk whenever you need support. We all have gone thru so much as a group and as individuals and can be there when you need info, a shoulder try cry on, or someone to just hear you rant when it seems too much.

How soon will I feel nornal I had my ICU put in 12/13/05 its a Guidant model #H177 3 weeks later a lead came lose & I got shocked about 7 or 8 times when back to hospital & they repaired in ever since then I'm arfaid & scared I'm going to get shocked again I feel depressed sometimes too. I'm also on xanax 3x a day. Can anu one give me any support. Thanks Lynn I'm a new member.

M in CA

[Guest guest]

Sorry to hear about your lead coming loose. I had my ICD put in back in

October, and am

still getting used to it. Some days I forget it's even there, others I worry

about getting a

shock. Just remember that if you get a shock, it's normally because you needed

it to save

your life. Welcome to the group!

>

> How soon will I feel nornal I had my ICU put in 12/13/05 its a Guidant

> model #H177 3 weeks later a lead came lose & I got shocked about 7 or

> 8 times when back to hospital & they repaired in ever since then I'm

> arfaid & scared I'm going to get shocked again I feel depressed

> sometimes too. I'm also on xanax 3x a day. Can anu one give me any

> support. Thanks Lynn I'm a new member.

>

[Guest guest]

My husband had a ICD put in on 1/12/06

my question is...

it has been just over a month..and he still feels the ICD in his chest..(painwise)..he says it is "uncomfortable" all the time....and a constant reminder it is there.

does anyone else have that feeling? will it go away after he heals better? or could it be that it may be in the wrong place and he will always feel it there.

thanks everyone...this group is very informative for both of us....

Jack and Kim from michigan

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I am a new member. My ICD was implanted 1/27/06, which was three weeks ago. I feel exactly the way your husband does. It is still sore, tight and uncomfortable. I think adjusting to the implant will take quite a while.

Sydney

Re: Re: How soon will I feel nornal

My husband had a ICD put in on 1/12/06

my question is...

it has been just over a month..and he still feels the ICD in his chest..(painwise)..he says it is "uncomfortable" all the time....and a constant reminder it is there.

does anyone else have that feeling? will it go away after he heals better? or could it be that it may be in the wrong place and he will always feel it there.

thanks everyone...this group is very informative for both of us....

Jack and Kim from michigan

[Guest guest]

Kim, I had my ICD implanted in 4/05. The pain subsided in short order, but I still feel its ominous presence when I lift things above my head. It doesn’t hurt but it does feel like a foreign object in my chest. I’m careful not to bump it. Hope all goes well for Jack. Joe from Wisconsinkimmer1373@... wrote: My husband had a ICD put in on 1/12/06 my question is... it has been just over a month..and he still feels the ICD in his chest..(painwise)..he says it is "uncomfortable" all the time....and a constant reminder it is there. does anyone else have that feeling? will it go away

after he heals better? or could it be that it may be in the wrong place and he will always feel it there. thanks everyone...this group is very informative for both of us.... Jack and Kim from michigan

[Guest guest]

Hi Jack and Kim, My son said he still feels the ICD, even after a year, and really doesn't like laying on that side at night. He says it takes some getting used to. The scar tissue is still forming around the site and that might cause some of the discomfort or pain for now. He also says sometimes that he feels a shooting type pain in that area and it has been over a year...Maybe just the fact that it is a foreign body in your body is why? I myself had back surgery and they put rods and pins in the spine. I would get such aching in that area at times, especially before a rain...even now that the rods and pins are out, I still have aching in that area. Good Luck, Lauriekimmer1373@... wrote: My husband had a ICD put in on 1/12/06 my question is... it has been just over a month..and he still feels the ICD in his chest..(painwise)..he says it is "uncomfortable" all the time....and a constant reminder it is there. does anyone else have that feeling? will it go away after he heals better? or could it be that it may be in the wrong place and he will always feel it there. thanks everyone...this group is very informative for both of us.... Jack and Kim from michigan

[Guest guest]

It'll take a while. Even after the pain is diminished, he'll be aware

of something in his chest. After a while, he'll learn how to live with

the device. I've had an ICD for 5 1/2 years and only occasionally

become aware of it. No pain anymore. Once the ICD settles into

the " pocket " in his chest, he'll have nearly unrestricted movement.

Give it time. It's a good time to learn patience. I'm still learning it.

In the beginning, it is really necessary to be careful so that tissue

will grow around the leads (wires) and anchor them in place. We're

here for him and for you.

Mike

On Feb 19, 2006, at 4:30 AM, kimmer1373@... wrote:

> My husband had a ICD put in on 1/12/06

> my question is...

> it has been just over a month..and he still feels the ICD in his

> chest..(painwise)..he says it is " uncomfortable " all the time....and a

> constant reminder it is there.

>  

> does anyone else have that feeling? will it go away after he heals

> better? or could it be that it may be in the wrong place and he will

> always feel it there.

>  

> thanks everyone...this group is very informative for both of us....

>  

> Jack and Kim from michigan

>  

>  

>

>

> Please visit the Zapper homepage at

> http://www.ZapLife.org

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks to everyone for responding to my questions......

I know this will help Jack understand that he will have to be patient with the pain and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel....

It is good to talk to people that are experiencing the same thing.

Thanks again ......

Kim

[Guest guest]

Hi Kim & Jack, Yes, that's "normal" for him to feel uncomfortable at the site of the incision, the left side of his chest and basically your whole left side (arm included). I felt this way for about 2 months, but slowly the pain subsided to a dull ache, and now, I don't even really notice it's there. I had my ICD surgery on 11/8/05 and I still find the incision to be uncomfortable and tight, but I believe that's normal as well. Hope this helps and welcome to the group! a in Virginiakimmer1373@... wrote: My husband had a ICD put in on 1/12/06 my question is... it has been just over a month..and he still feels the

ICD in his chest..(painwise)..he says it is "uncomfortable" all the time....and a constant reminder it is there. does anyone else have that feeling? will it go away after he heals better? or could it be that it may be in the wrong place and he will always feel it there. thanks everyone...this group is very informative for both of us.... Jack and Kim from michigan

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