Pacemaker & ICDs: Introduce Yourself & Meet Others

Back in 2015 I had 5 shocks in a 24 hour period.

Will shorten my story but developed PTSD with anxiety/panic disorder from this. I went through testing and consultations (at my request) and was put on medications that helped me out of the PTSD at least to being able to have normal activities and not scared to death ICD would shock me again.

What I will pass on here is to be strong and when you feel stress, anxiety, asked for help. It is as you can see not uncommon to develop PTSD with ICD shocks. But need to pass on what one cardiologist told me about my ICD. It is like having your own EMS on standby to help you back into rympthm if needed.

I found that really helpful as those first minutes when in VTAC or heart stoppage is the most critical to prevent heart and organ damage. Then thinking about the time for EMS to get to you versus something that will react to your heart within seconds.

Hello everybody. I’m just returning to Mayo Clinic Connect, after quite a long absence. I have always valued my connection here and it’s benefitted me in so many ways over past years. As with many of you, I have a long list of health issues, but I love life and I’m as active as is possible, and feel much younger than my 90 years.
I have three wonderful sons and their wives, four adult grandchildren, and four greatgrandchildren, and they’re the centre of my universe!
Most of my working life I was a Legal Secretary and then Legal Office Supervisor, but once I retired from that, I attended art school for 5 years and had a successful career as a professional artist and teacher. I even managed to work for years online and at various colleges and universities to finally, this May, earn my Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree.
My interests used to be painting, hiking, climbing mountain trails in the Canadian Rockies, horse back riding, plus lots of pets, and reading. Sadly, I’m reduced to only that last category now, reading! Oh, but I’ve begun painting in watercolours again too, and am feeling so enthused and happy about that!

I couldn't help but notice you finished your degree later in Life. Nice to see someone else felt the drive to complete something we missed earlier in life. I myself always wanted to finish mine and just this past month finished my Bachelors in Biblical Exposition. Feels good at 66 to do this even tho I have no plans to return to a career. Thanks for Sharing

Sounds like my story also. Great to hear you were able to get past the feeling. Mine ended up in Transplant but its always nice to share similar thoughts with others.
But like you said I was able to work even thru some of the years prior with occasional shocks and yes it was great to realize that those could have been much more dangerous without the pacemaker / defibulator.

It got me to at least close enough to retirement age so I feel blessed to have those 10 years with an EMS in my chest.

I also like to share that even if you developer beyond what a pacemaker can do there are still options like transplant. I think that also gives us peace that there are options. Thanks for sharing

Congratulations, Dana! @danab
That’s fantastic news that you, too, chased after your degree later in life!
It sure feels good, doesn’t it? X0

Kudos to both of you…..