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← Return to ICD shock Anxiety/ptsd
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This is really tough. I got my first ICD/pacemaker at 22, back in 2006. It’s a Medtronic. Because I was so young, my heart rate wasn’t programmed to be high enough for me to exercise. Therefore, I fell off a treadmill at the gym and almost fell off my bike on a bike ride. I’m 42 now (on ICD/pacemaker #3), but I clearly remember the anxiety I felt about moving or doing much of anything after those shocks.
It helped my cardiologist program my device better to suit my needs though. Depending on what your cardiac issue is, maybe your cardiologist can bump up your heart rate a bit. Talk to them about it.
And, there’s a high likelihood I would die without the defibrillator because I almost did. I have Long QT Syndrome and somehow managed to survive 3 cardiac arrests. I understand completely how anxiety ridden getting shocked makes you, but keep in mind you wouldn’t have the ICD without a good medical reason. Not sure if that will help or not but I hope you can find some peace. It’s a tough thing to get comfortable with.
Replies to "This is really tough. I got my first ICD/pacemaker at 22, back in 2006. It’s a..."
@meredithes Hello! I am unsure of which post you are responding to. Please clarify that for us.
Your experience shows us all that we are taking advantage of all medical science can offer us. Good rapport with your medical people about adjusting your ICD to meet your needs is a highlight of your post. Some have trouble expressing their needs, it helps to have the questions formulated and written down legibly before setting out to an appointment.
I have not had a shock (hope I never do) thus far, but I understand that once it happens, a person does live with the anxiety of it happening again. It's your personal EMT so to speak, in that it shocks you in an emergency. You have made good peace with yours ((HUGS)).
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@meredithes
Your heart can beat higher than what your pace is set in your pacemaker. It just will pace a certain bottom number and not let it go lower than that.
On the exercise most, like mine, have a exercise mode that your Pace Clinic/cardiologist can turn on. That mode senses motion and will raise your pulsing rate. Not all devices have that but mine does Boston Scientific.
I have a ICD/Pacemaker since 2006. I have had approximately 12-15 shocks over that 20 year period. The first time I was shocked was in 2015. But it was 5 times in a 24 hour period. I developed PTSD from that and extreme anxiety/panic attack disorder.
I now take medication for the PTSD and undergo ongoing medication and counseling at Mayo. My PTSD is always there but after about 6 months from that 2015 episode I was able to return to normal life but always be aware of triggers that brings anxiety/panic and try not let them occur.
On all post I do about this I always add this. My Electrophysiologist tole to think of my ICD/Pacemaker as having your own EMS team ready to help you if needed. Thus I see the device as a life saver, need to have, and lucky I have it.