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What’s it like having an ICD? I don’t want to do it.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) | Last Active: Jun 7 1:35pm | Replies (34)Comment receiving replies
@myheart26 Welcome to Connect, I believe this is your first post. I am sorry you needed to be hospitalized several times and the medication did not help. Are you under care at a COE (Center of Excellence)? Several participants have written responses attesting to their gratefulness on having a device. We cannot give medical advice, that's reserved for medical professionals. I have an ICD (defibrillator and pacemaker combo) named Buddy. New things are stressful for sure, I was dizzy and giddy and had syncopes because of arrhythmias after a septal myectomy, none since Buddy became my constant companion. Do read all you can about your condition and ask your doctor lots of questions.
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@walkinggirl
I have HOCM and have had 2 incidents of sudden cardiac arrest. I now have an ICD. Now I have complete heart blockage so my pacemaker is working 100 percent of the time and my heart is completely reliant on my pacemaker. Also my Defibrillator went off and woke me up a few nights ago. When I had my ICD put in I woke up during surgery and knew better than to move or say anything. The ICD was put in and a few hours later I was released. I went to a Hotel but could not lay down flat. I slept in a recliner. At 2 in the morning I had chest pain so bad I had my wife take me to the ER. Once there my BP was extremely high so I had IV's in each arm after I was given 2 nitro pills that did nothing. Then I had 2 shots of morphine, then 2 shots of Fentanyl, then 2 shots of oxycodone. Still no reaction. I was then given 6 shots of Fentanyl/Oxycodone. Finally the pain started to ease.
Was my ICD surgery difficult--Absolutely but I would be dead since I have complete heart blockage and my ICD (pacemaker) is now working full-time and my Defibrillator has gone off.
Jim