ICD shock anxiety.

I think it's good ol' classical conditioning. It's the same thing that happens when you get drunk on (pick your fave drink) and then cannot drink it any more because you think it makes you sick. No, too much of it made you sick, but I can understand why it's not on your fave list any more. You have made the association with that drink and feeling horrible next morning...or all night long AND morning.

In this case, you have had several unexpected shocks, which by themselves are distinctly unpleasant. However, they signify a change in your heart's condition, possibly a deterioration that has begun to assert itself, and that is worrying. Who wouldn't feel that way with an ICD doing what it is meant to do?

You will feel somewhat better once you and your cardiologist knows what has changed, and if it can be managed. If it's the ICD, that can be fixed. If it's you, you might be able to be fixed. And then you can forget about any more shocks. But I would hope, and try, to convince you that the ICD is probably doing what it was engineered to do....................FOR you. Yeah, it's a sudden and swift kick in the pants, but...you need it....maybe?

@gloaming it's blaringly obvious, that you have never carried an implanted defiberlating device in your chest.

Were you conscious for the five shocks? I had an event where I was unconscious, and I got shocked three times to get me in rhythm. I would not have guessed that until my data was pulled.

I ask because I did have headaches and lightheadedness for a few months afterwards which I attribute for being unconscious for a minute in VT/VF. The anxiety is very real when you know what it feels like pre-event. The only thing that makes it better is TIME. Sometimes we don't have the answers we want or need. Listen to your EP team. I'm not sure who your provider is, but second opinions are always an option too if you feel the need.

I'm sorry you are going through this, and I can relate. The anxiety will get better but a small piece may always be there. It is scary, it's always easier said than done, but we have to live our lives. We did not choose to walk this path, BUT we can choose how we walk it.

@rkent Okay, what's your point?

@abenn86 hello, I was not conscious for all five shocks I only know I had one shock the rest was information pulled from data as you mentioned. How long did those headaches/ lightheaded last? So maybe this is why I’m feeling this way. I thought it was the mexilatine medication but I can’t stop it if it’s helping me.

@gennsa

My headaches and light headedness lasted two or so months. Every time I started feeling that way, I thought another event was happening as I got very light headed and dizzy before my event.

I did have a med change as well with being put on Amiodarone along with Metoprolol which I had already been taking. My HR would get into the low 50's so that with those symptoms they did cut my Metoprolol in half. So, it is hard to say for sure if it's the event itself or medicine. My guess is a combination of both? I feel like any time we have these events and go unconscious that it leads to a period of brain fog after. Today was actually my last day on Amiodarone so we will see how that goes.

It is scary. I know that. I assure you that time helps. If you aren't already, have you considered therapy for the anxiety. It's a matter of finding the right fit, but once I did it has helped me tremendously and I was never a therapy guy years ago.