Guest guest Posted March 12, 2006 Report Share Posted March 12, 2006 How scary it must have been for everyone, especially for your daughter to watch it happen. I've never been shocked so I can't fully empathize with those who experience shocks. But I have been told that whenever I have a run of v-tach or arrhythmias, to cough " forcefully " several times. This is often enough to knock the heart back into normal rhythm. It's worked for me so far. If this doesn't work, then the little lifesaver in your chest will do its job. > [Original Message] > From: lulu10169 <lulu10169@...> > < > > Date: 3/12/2006 8:57:48 AM > Subject: My first shock. > > Hello all, > I have been reading posts here for awhile. But this is the first > time I have posted. I had my AICD implanted on January 12th of this > year. I am a 32 yo female. I have VT. I was in the hospital from > Dec. 20th to Jan.13th. I am currently taking Toprol XL and Ramipril. > Things seemed to be going well until this morning. I had a run of VT > and could feel my device trying to pace me out of it. I literally > layed on the floor because I didnt want to be knocked down by a > shock. The VT stopped and I got up. My 10 year old was very scared > as was I. I took my medications and hoped that was the end of it. > Then it started again this time I layed on the couch and in the > middle of my daughter talking to me, I was shocked. I was scared to > death. My daughter called for and ambulance and I spent the day at > the hospital. I didnt have anymore runs of VT and I was discharged > with orders to see my Doc on Monday. Now, I am extremely paranoid > that this is going to happen again. Which for me I guess is likely. > It is so unpredictable. I was wondering what did I do different to > cause this to happen this morning since things had seemed to be > going so well. I cant think of anything except taking my meds a > little later than normal. > So that brings me to this--Will I ever get over the feeling of > being scared to death about the impending moment of the next shock? > Will I be able to feel normal again like I was starting to feel up > to this point? Will I be able to buy gorceries without the threat of > a shock looming in the back of my mind? > How did you all cope after you had your first shock? I had no > prior heart conditions before this. It started on Dec. 8th. So my > life has changed in a very short amount of time. And to top it all > off, after I had been home from the hospital for 2 weeks. We found > out that my husband was to leave for Afghanistan. He left 2 weeks > later. Can I say that I have been under a little bit of stress? I > think so. We have 2 daughters that have been a great help, they are > 13 and 10. > Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences with me! > > > > > > > > > > > Please visit the Zapper homepage at > http://www.ZapLife.org > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2006 Report Share Posted March 13, 2006 I ditto what Mike says - the same has worked for me and I have never been shocked. I go in tomorrow for my third replacement! Lulu - I can not believe what you have been through in such a short time. I think you might consider therapy and perhaps some antiaxiety medication. Yes, you will return to normal but it will take time not only for you, but for your kids. You need support and maybe therapy and ant meds are the start! I wish you luck and please keep us posted. ~gain My first shock.>> Hello all,> I have been reading posts here for awhile. But this is the first > time I have posted. I had my AICD implanted on January 12th of this > year. I am a 32 yo female. I have VT. I was in the hospital from > Dec. 20th to Jan.13th. I am currently taking Toprol XL and Ramipril. > Things seemed to be going well until this morning. I had a run of VT > and could feel my device trying to pace me out of it. I literally > layed on the floor because I didnt want to be knocked down by a > shock. The VT stopped and I got up. My 10 year old was very scared > as was I. I took my medications and hoped that was the end of it. > Then it started again this time I layed on the couch and in the > middle of my daughter talking to me, I was shocked. I was scared to > death. My daughter called for and ambulance and I spent the day at > the hospital. I didnt have anymore runs of VT and I was discharged > with orders to see my Doc on Monday. Now, I am extremely paranoid > that this is going to happen again. Which for me I guess is likely. > It is so unpredictable. I was wondering what did I do different to > cause this to happen this morning since things had seemed to be > going so well. I cant think of anything except taking my meds a > little later than normal. > So that brings me to this--Will I ever get over the feeling of > being scared to death about the impending moment of the next shock? > Will I be able to feel normal again like I was starting to feel up > to this point? Will I be able to buy gorceries without the threat of > a shock looming in the back of my mind? > How did you all cope after you had your first shock? I had no > prior heart conditions before this. It started on Dec. 8th. So my > life has changed in a very short amount of time. And to top it all > off, after I had been home from the hospital for 2 weeks. We found > out that my husband was to leave for Afghanistan. He left 2 weeks > later. Can I say that I have been under a little bit of stress? I > think so. We have 2 daughters that have been a great help, they are > 13 and 10. > Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences with me!>>>>>>>>>>> Please visit the Zapper homepage at> http://www.ZapLife.org > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2006 Report Share Posted March 13, 2006 I can very well understand your anxiety about getting shocked. I am 65 YO and got an ICD two years ago. During the first year, I got shocked three times, always during some moderate physical activity. Because of that, I was afraid to do much. After each shock the Dr would tweek the ICD a bit and change-experiment? with my meds. With all the changes, I have not gotten shocked for over a year now (the Dr said it would take some time to get my meds and ICD setting just right since I was what he called a " brittle " patient). I guess I would have a hard time not feeling paranoid if I was still receiving shocks every 3-4 months. Even now, I am hesitant to do much physical activity. I did go through about 50 sessions of cardio rehab at the hospital. I was monitored the entire time during exercise, and nothing happened so that sort of set my mind at ease. Unlike you, I have no warning that I am about to get zapped, I go from a normal heart rate to something high enough to fire the ICD in a few seconds, I do get dizzy about 2 seconds before getting zapped, enough to hang onto something but that is about all. I guess in my case, it just took some time without getting shocks to get over most of the paranoia. I try to not think about it and go about my normal activities, just at a slower pace. I just joined this group yesterday, so please forgive me if I have not responded appropriately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2006 Report Share Posted March 13, 2006 Hi Lulu.. I can just say that I totally understand how you feel. I too was shocked and I was not doing anything strenuous. As a matter of fact I was shocked 5 times in 2 min. My Doctor has told me that it doesn't have anything to do with what you're doing at the time. If it's gonna happen it will happen. All you can do is Thank God you have an angel on your shoulder. I couldn't take the anxiety of my next shock so Dr. put me on anxiety meds. I was totally against it. I finally gave in and now I'm thankful for it as it totally takes the edge off. I am not for taking pills other than my heart melds... But I can honestly say it makes it easier. To be honest with you, as far as I'm concerned I don'think I will "get over" the way it feels when my heart goes into the VT mode. The feeling of "impending doom" is just about all I can take.I just make sure I am lying down and like I say we are in a better position than the people who have this happen and don't have a life saving device to save them. That's how you have to look at it. Just think you are still here to tell your story. i for one sure am glad that I lived to tell mine and hopefully help other people that feel the same way I do.lulu10169 <lulu10169@...> wrote: Hello all, I have been reading posts here for awhile. But this is the first time I have posted. I had my AICD implanted on January 12th of this year. I am a 32 yo female. I have VT. I was in the hospital from Dec. 20th to Jan.13th. I am currently taking Toprol XL and Ramipril. Things seemed to be going well until this morning. I had a run of VT and could feel my device trying to pace me out of it. I literally layed on the floor because I didnt want to be knocked down by a shock. The VT stopped and I got up. My 10 year old was very scared as was I. I took my medications and hoped that was the end of it. Then it started again this time I layed on the couch and in the middle of my daughter talking to me, I was shocked. I was scared to death. My daughter called for and ambulance and I spent the day at the hospital. I didnt have anymore runs of VT and I was discharged with orders to see my Doc on Monday. Now, I am extremely paranoid that this is going to happen again. Which for me I guess is likely. It is so unpredictable. I was wondering what did I do different to cause this to happen this morning since things had seemed to be going so well. I cant think of anything except taking my meds a little later than normal. So that brings me to this--Will I ever get over the feeling of being scared to death about the impending moment of the next shock? Will I be able to feel normal again like I was starting to feel up to this point? Will I be able to buy gorceries without the threat of a shock looming in the back of my mind? How did you all cope after you had your first shock? I had no prior heart conditions before this. It started on Dec. 8th. So my life has changed in a very short amount of time. And to top it all off, after I had been home from the hospital for 2 weeks. We found out that my husband was to leave for Afghanistan. He left 2 weeks later. Can I say that I have been under a little bit of stress? I think so. We have 2 daughters that have been a great help, they are 13 and 10. Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences with me! Vee Bring photos to life! New PhotoMail makes sharing a breeze. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2006 Report Share Posted March 13, 2006 Your doctor might want to adjust your medication dosage or put you on a different medication. I was implanted with a device because of VT. I got my first shocks a week after the implant. My doctor then put me on betapace ( sotolol). I have not any VT attacks since. Note: (type of medication depends on your personal condition.) Jack My first shock. > Hello all, > I have been reading posts here for awhile. But this is the first > time I have posted. I had my AICD implanted on January 12th of this > year. I am a 32 yo female. I have VT. I was in the hospital from > Dec. 20th to Jan.13th. I am currently taking Toprol XL and Ramipril. > Things seemed to be going well until this morning. I had a run of VT > and could feel my device trying to pace me out of it. I literally > layed on the floor because I didnt want to be knocked down by a > shock. The VT stopped and I got up. My 10 year old was very scared > as was I. I took my medications and hoped that was the end of it. > Then it started again this time I layed on the couch and in the > middle of my daughter talking to me, I was shocked. I was scared to > death. My daughter called for and ambulance and I spent the day at > the hospital. I didnt have anymore runs of VT and I was discharged > with orders to see my Doc on Monday. Now, I am extremely paranoid > that this is going to happen again. Which for me I guess is likely. > It is so unpredictable. I was wondering what did I do different to > cause this to happen this morning since things had seemed to be > going so well. I cant think of anything except taking my meds a > little later than normal. > So that brings me to this--Will I ever get over the feeling of > being scared to death about the impending moment of the next shock? > Will I be able to feel normal again like I was starting to feel up > to this point? Will I be able to buy gorceries without the threat of > a shock looming in the back of my mind? > How did you all cope after you had your first shock? I had no > prior heart conditions before this. It started on Dec. 8th. So my > life has changed in a very short amount of time. And to top it all > off, after I had been home from the hospital for 2 weeks. We found > out that my husband was to leave for Afghanistan. He left 2 weeks > later. Can I say that I have been under a little bit of stress? I > think so. We have 2 daughters that have been a great help, they are > 13 and 10. > Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences with me! > > > > > > > > > > > Please visit the Zapper homepage at > http://www.ZapLife.org > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 18, 2006 Report Share Posted March 18, 2006 Thank you all so much for your responses. I am sorry that I havent responded before now. But I was admitted to the hospital on Sunday night and just got discharged today. I kept having VT through the week. But the docs adjusted my AICD settings and also started me on Sotolol twice daily. They kept me on Toprol XL, just decreased it, kept the Ramipril as it is and added Fish Oil. Are any of you also on Fish Oil? If so have you noticed any changes? My husband was brought back temporarily on emergency leave. I am happy about that. But my doc put me on a 6 month driving restriction. That is going to be hard and I dont know if he will be able to stay home for 6 months. For now, I am trying to think positive and keep my fears at bay. My girls are doing well and very happy that I am home as well as their Dad. I do plan to start going to a support group that meets once a month. I think that will help. I have thought about meds for the anxiety and the docs offered them as an option. If I am not feeling better emotionally soon, then I might give them a try. Thank you all again for sharing and your positive words! Beverly -- In , " jfrow2 " <jfrow2@...> wrote: > > I can very well understand your anxiety about getting shocked. I am > 65 YO and got an ICD two years ago. During the first year, I got > shocked three times, always during some moderate physical activity. > Because of that, I was afraid to do much. After each shock the Dr > would tweek the ICD a bit and change-experiment? with my meds. With > all the changes, I have not gotten shocked for over a year now (the > Dr said it would take some time to get my meds and ICD setting just > right since I was what he called a " brittle " patient). I guess I > would have a hard time not feeling paranoid if I was still receiving > shocks every 3-4 months. Even now, I am hesitant to do much physical > activity. I did go through about 50 sessions of cardio rehab at the > hospital. I was monitored the entire time during exercise, and > nothing happened so that sort of set my mind at ease. Unlike you, I > have no warning that I am about to get zapped, I go from a normal > heart rate to something high enough to fire the ICD in a few > seconds, I do get dizzy about 2 seconds before getting zapped, > enough to hang onto something but that is about all. > > I guess in my case, it just took some time without getting shocks to > get over most of the paranoia. I try to not think about it and go > about my normal activities, just at a slower pace. > > I just joined this group yesterday, so please forgive me if I have > not responded appropriately. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 18, 2006 Report Share Posted March 18, 2006 > > Thank you all so much for your responses. I am sorry that I havent > responded before now. But I was admitted to the hospital on Sunday > night and just got discharged today. I kept having VT through the > week. But the docs adjusted my AICD settings and also started me on > Sotolol twice daily. They kept me on Toprol XL, just decreased it, > kept the Ramipril as it is and added Fish Oil. Are any of you also > on Fish Oil? If so have you noticed any changes? > My husband was brought back temporarily on emergency leave. I am > happy about that. But my doc put me on a 6 month driving > restriction. That is going to be hard and I dont know if he will be > able to stay home for 6 months. > For now, I am trying to think positive and keep my fears at bay. > My girls are doing well and very happy that I am home as well as > their Dad. I do plan to start going to a support group that meets > once a month. I think that will help. I have thought about meds for > the anxiety and the docs offered them as an option. If I am not > feeling better emotionally soon, then I might give them a try. Thank > you all again for sharing and your positive words! > > Beverly Sorry to hear you had to make a trip to the hospital. We probably have all been there and done that. My cardio and EP kept changing my meds and ICD programming for a full year before I settled down. Keep the faith, it just takes a little time. As far as fish oil, there seems to be mixed reports on it--some say it is good for the heart, others say it is not advised for ICD patients. For one discussion on this, see this site. http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=47614. I take flax seed oil in place of fish oil as prescribed by my cardio. Glad to hear your girls are doing well and your hubby is home. It really makes a difference in having your spouse with you. Mine is an angel that probably contributed as much as anything or anybody during my heart attack, ICD insertion, many follow ups with the drs, and trips to the hospital. Best Wishes, keep us informed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 18, 2006 Report Share Posted March 18, 2006 Sorry, that link did not work, foiled by a period on the end. And I do not see any to edit a message and correct it. So, try this link http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=47614 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 18, 2006 Report Share Posted March 18, 2006 I am on sotolol 160 mg twice a day. Sometimes I would get what I believe is called heart flutter and maybe AF when I would walk up inclines and stairs. It would only last a few minutes but I would usually be fatigued afterwards. These episodes stopped after I started taking one fish capsule daily. Good luck with your new medication. Jack Re: My first shock. > Thank you all so much for your responses. I am sorry that I havent > responded before now. But I was admitted to the hospital on Sunday > night and just got discharged today. I kept having VT through the > week. But the docs adjusted my AICD settings and also started me on > Sotolol twice daily. They kept me on Toprol XL, just decreased it, > kept the Ramipril as it is and added Fish Oil. Are any of you also > on Fish Oil? If so have you noticed any changes? > My husband was brought back temporarily on emergency leave. I am > happy about that. But my doc put me on a 6 month driving > restriction. That is going to be hard and I dont know if he will be > able to stay home for 6 months. > For now, I am trying to think positive and keep my fears at bay. > My girls are doing well and very happy that I am home as well as > their Dad. I do plan to start going to a support group that meets > once a month. I think that will help. I have thought about meds for > the anxiety and the docs offered them as an option. If I am not > feeling better emotionally soon, then I might give them a try. Thank > you all again for sharing and your positive words! > > Beverly > > -- In , " jfrow2 " <jfrow2@...> wrote: >> >> I can very well understand your anxiety about getting shocked. I > am >> 65 YO and got an ICD two years ago. During the first year, I got >> shocked three times, always during some moderate physical > activity. >> Because of that, I was afraid to do much. After each shock the Dr >> would tweek the ICD a bit and change-experiment? with my meds. > With >> all the changes, I have not gotten shocked for over a year now > (the >> Dr said it would take some time to get my meds and ICD setting > just >> right since I was what he called a " brittle " patient). I guess I >> would have a hard time not feeling paranoid if I was still > receiving >> shocks every 3-4 months. Even now, I am hesitant to do much > physical >> activity. I did go through about 50 sessions of cardio rehab at > the >> hospital. I was monitored the entire time during exercise, and >> nothing happened so that sort of set my mind at ease. Unlike you, > I >> have no warning that I am about to get zapped, I go from a normal >> heart rate to something high enough to fire the ICD in a few >> seconds, I do get dizzy about 2 seconds before getting zapped, >> enough to hang onto something but that is about all. >> >> I guess in my case, it just took some time without getting shocks > to >> get over most of the paranoia. I try to not think about it and go >> about my normal activities, just at a slower pace. >> >> I just joined this group yesterday, so please forgive me if I have >> not responded appropriately. >> > > > > > > > > Please visit the Zapper homepage at > http://www.ZapLife.org > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 18, 2006 Report Share Posted March 18, 2006 I was tought the cough method while I was in the hospital in December. 9 times out of 10 I would say that it works for me. I think that I was so amped up about it on Saturday that it didnt work. Those were my first runs of VT since getting my device. The same nurse that taught me the cough method told me this week to try taking in a deep breath when it happens. That also worked for me, but the coughing seems to still work best. Strange how that works, but nice that it does!! -- In , " Hiranuma " <mhiranuma@...> wrote: > > How scary it must have been for everyone, especially for your daughter to > watch it happen. > > I've never been shocked so I can't fully empathize with those who > experience shocks. But I have been told that whenever I have a run of > v-tach or arrhythmias, to cough " forcefully " several times. This is often > enough to knock the heart back into normal rhythm. It's worked for me so > far. If this doesn't work, then the little lifesaver in your chest will do > its job. > > > > [Original Message] > > From: lulu10169 <lulu10169@...> > > < > > > Date: 3/12/2006 8:57:48 AM > > Subject: My first shock. > > > > Hello all, > > I have been reading posts here for awhile. But this is the first > > time I have posted. I had my AICD implanted on January 12th of this > > year. I am a 32 yo female. I have VT. I was in the hospital from > > Dec. 20th to Jan.13th. I am currently taking Toprol XL and Ramipril. > > Things seemed to be going well until this morning. I had a run of VT > > and could feel my device trying to pace me out of it. I literally > > layed on the floor because I didnt want to be knocked down by a > > shock. The VT stopped and I got up. My 10 year old was very scared > > as was I. I took my medications and hoped that was the end of it. > > Then it started again this time I layed on the couch and in the > > middle of my daughter talking to me, I was shocked. I was scared to > > death. My daughter called for and ambulance and I spent the day at > > the hospital. I didnt have anymore runs of VT and I was discharged > > with orders to see my Doc on Monday. Now, I am extremely paranoid > > that this is going to happen again. Which for me I guess is likely. > > It is so unpredictable. I was wondering what did I do different to > > cause this to happen this morning since things had seemed to be > > going so well. I cant think of anything except taking my meds a > > little later than normal. > > So that brings me to this--Will I ever get over the feeling of > > being scared to death about the impending moment of the next shock? > > Will I be able to feel normal again like I was starting to feel up > > to this point? Will I be able to buy gorceries without the threat of > > a shock looming in the back of my mind? > > How did you all cope after you had your first shock? I had no > > prior heart conditions before this. It started on Dec. 8th. So my > > life has changed in a very short amount of time. And to top it all > > off, after I had been home from the hospital for 2 weeks. We found > > out that my husband was to leave for Afghanistan. He left 2 weeks > > later. Can I say that I have been under a little bit of stress? I > > think so. We have 2 daughters that have been a great help, they are > > 13 and 10. > > Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences with me! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Please visit the Zapper homepage at > > http://www.ZapLife.org > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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