What’s it like having an ICD? I don’t want to do it.

@jachrist Jim, thank you for sharing your story. I cannot imagine waking up during the surgery (not enough anesthesia?) and I am sorry you had to go through all that pain. I think you may have been an unusual case. Thanks to your medical care, you are here to tell your tale and explain how grateful you are to have your ICD. Have you had a septal myectomy or another procedure? I, too, slept in a recliner for a while, this may be a common temporary way to sleep.

I had an alcohol septal ablation. They went up through my femoral artery
and into the left side of my heart.

@jc76 My doctor put me on Jardiance also. After only three days taking Jardiance, I experienced a frightening episode of adrenaline rush and confusion. It was terrifying. I think it is removing too much glucose or something. I stayed very hydrated so don't know what caused this other than too much blood pressure medication? I am afraid to stay on this. I want to keep taking only my Entresto and Metoprolol. Never had scary side effects with them. Can't get into my cardiologist right now because I am waiting for referral to an Electrophysiologist and supposed to be taking all three medications for now. Not sure what to do :).

@jachrist Jim, please note that I asked the moderators to remove your personal information. EVERYONE should omit their full name, address, personal email address, and phone number to protect privacy. It's OK to state that you live in NE Minnesota, I live in Upstate NY. etc. Yes! I had a catheterization the same way you had your septal ablation when my HCM reached a crisis, a syncope, and we thought I was having a heart attack! I was lightly sedated and talking as we were looking at the interesting screen. Looking forward to more of your informative contributions.

@walkinggirl
Thank You very much.
Yes I've had numerous surgeries (38 just in the past 4 years) 2 sudden cardiac arrest, 6 heart surgeries, HOCM, and cardiac amyloidosis (stiff heart syndrome) bladder cancer, prostate cancer, hole in the top of my septum, 3 tumors in my liver, stage 3 kidney disease, and I have an ICD. My defibrillator went off 2 days ago and my pacemaker is working full time because my heart is not working.
Yes I do have just a few medical issues to share.
Jim

Having an ICD is a must especially if you've had Sudden Cardiac Arrest. I've had 2 and my ICD has gone off. Having one put in is not a big deal. You have a choice of having a sudden cardiac arrest or having an ICD. Get it done!

@ejbb Keep in mind that a visit to the ER or Urgent Care is an option. Are one or both of these nearby?

@walkinggirl
“My cardiomyopathy is non‑hereditary because it wasn’t caused by a gene mutation. I developed it after a viral infection that inflamed and damaged my heart muscle — this is called viral myocarditis. When the heart is injured by a virus, it can weaken and enlarge over time, leading to dilated cardiomyopathy. So in my case, it’s an acquired condition, not something inherited or passed down in families.”

@walkinggirl
I posted a reply here explaining non hereditary cardiomyopathy but don't see it. It is when the cause of the cardiomyopathy is caused by infection or virus infection of heart which can cause heart injury, heart enlargement, electrical issues, ejection fraction reduction but the cause was not hereditary.

In fact mine was not caused by cardiovascular disease (Catherization of arteries done) as had no signs of clogged arteries when diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. I was asked back then if had been sick recently. I replied yes couple of months ago horrendous viral infection.

@ejbb
Got to stay with what your medical doctors want you to do.

I can only give you my personal experience with Jardiance. I experience no side affects from it. It was given to me not to address diabetes but it was shown (per my Mayo HF doctor) to help remodel a heart failure/enlarged heart.

Now again if from my own experience and not as a medical doctor when you are worried, stressed, anxiety, your body will cause adrenaline rush. It is the "fight or flight" response from your body and sends adrenaline. Now not saying that is the reason you got it but just to pass on to you you can get adrenaline rush from worrying, concern, anxiety, stress, etc.

Have your doctors suggested you drink electrolytes? I know when I have issues with tachycardia and go to ER the first thing they check is my electrolytes. The medications you mentioned are very common for heart failure, PVCs, PACs, etc.

Do you have a primary care doctor. If you can't get to your cardiologist seek out your primary care doctor for guidance on the Jardiance.

I see both a heart failure doctor and electrophysiologist and both interact as a team. If you are on entresto do you have heart failure? If so you can see why you cardiologist put you on Jardiance with the possible benefit of remodeling your heart that research is showing.

I don't want to infer I know why you had adrenaline rush I am not a medical doctor. Wanted to pass on my personal experience with this. When I experience high stress, anxiety, I can have an adrenaline rush. I take "Coreg" that is suppose to curtail adrenaline rushes. But I recently lost my PTSD dog of 13 years and my stress and anxiety caused me to have adrenaline response and I developed tachycardia and eventual shocks from my ICD.