Anyone have a icd, defib/pacemaker ?

[Panman40]

Just wondered if anyone has a defibrillator pacemaker fitted ?.
Several years ago now I noticed irregular heartbeats now and again but no real issues and still doing physical work etc.
Then a couple years ago things worsened so I had ecgs, mris, heart tapes up to 7 days etc and th outcome was they thought I may have criteria for ARVC, once your in the cardiology system they carry out yearly scans to keep an eye on things.

Must be almost a year ago now I had a new symptom at work where I’d go up a flight of steps and felt I needed to stop part way up just for a few seconds, the symptoms are odd and difficult to describe but after a few seconds I can carry on. So I’ve been back in several times now for echo cardiograms , ECG’s and an mri and they now say I have 1 major and 2 minor criteria for ARVC ( Arrhythmia Right Ventricular cardiomyopathy) .

They’ve recommended I’m fitted with a defibrillator pacemaker now and I’m in the system, the app I had Wednesday with a nurse to discuss it all and any questions I had etc she showed me the device, I was quite shocked at the size of it compared to a standard pacemaker, it’s inserted just below the collar bone.

The funny thing is up until I was 50 yrs old I thought I was invinsible . I’m 58 now and since I was 50 have had a Tia, a detached retina and a torn retina and now this .

So I was just wondering if anyone else has a heart device fitted ?.

[Panman40]

Just me then

[Steve398]

Yep… the rest of us are far too sick to risk fitting them!

[MikeS]

I'm sure the specialist nurse will have steered you to this organisation:

https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo ... ibrillator

A few years ago i worked in cardiology with people pre and post implant. The devices were pretty good then but are bound to have improved even further since in terms of battery life, arrythmia recognition and remote monitoring at home.

Most areas have support groups which might be worth joining.

[Squonk]

I’m the same age as you, funny how everything starts breaking after 50 - it’s like the warranty has run out! 5 years ago I took no medications, now I’m on a collection of all the things which I associate with old people - very confusing as I’m still young and trendy (until I look in the mirror).

I regularly see patients with pacemakers, the youngest was in his early 30’s. They are more common than you might realise, and once you get used to it you will pretty much forget it’s there. It should result in a noticeable improvement in quality of life for you. If the ICD fires it will give you a jolt for sure, but still better than the alternative.

I’m sure you’ve done lots of research, and there is plenty of support available through groups like BHF and Cardiomyopathy UK.

[Doctor T]

What is it about being 50. I had to retire at 50 due to bad health. Up to then I never visited a Doctor since I was in my teens. Now am on 26 tabs a day and have to walk with a stick. Along with lung and heart conditions i have other problems but they are too much to list on the web. Am now 60 the problems are still here but I've excepted them now and enjoy everyday. I Still feel 20ish in my head, just with I had the energy that I had then

[Steve398]

What is it about being 50. I had to retire at 50 due to bad health. Up to then I never visited a Doctor since I was in my teens. Now am on 26 tabs a day and have to walk with a stick. Along with lung and heart conditions i have other problems but they are too much to list on the web. Am now 60 the problems are still here but I've excepted them now and enjoy everyday. I Still feel 20ish in my head, just with I had the energy that I had then

How well I know that feeling… except that in my head I’m 39 again, but as the mirrored wardrobe doors are on my side of the bed the awful truth is soon revealed!

[Stu]

By eck! At 43 tomorrow! Is this what I have to look forward to

[Steve398]

By eck! At 43 tomorrow! Is this what I have to look forward to

All downhill from here Sakm, welcome to the Coffin Dodgers Club

[Stu]

All downhill from here Sakm, welcome to the Coffin Dodgers Club

Think that's already started

[Doctor T]

How well I know that feeling… except that in my head I’m 39 again, but as the mirrored wardrobe doors are on my side of the bed the awful truth is soon revealed!

That's why we have no mirrors or that we are vampires

[Doctor T]

By eck! At 43 tomorrow! Is this what I have to look forward to

Happy birthday. Bloody youngsters.

[EasyRider]

I have A-Fib and the doc said i might have to have a pacemaker fitted which i did not want.
I am now on 2 tablets a day for my heart, which keep my heart rate at 54-56 bpm at rest.
Been like this for the last 3 years and the meds seem to be working.

[Panman40]

I have A-Fib and the doc said i might have to have a pacemaker fitted which i did not want.
I am now on 2 tablets a day for my heart, which keep my heart rate at 54-56 bpm at rest.
Been like this for the last 3 years and the meds seem to be working.

I’ve been on bisoprolol for a couple years, sometimes my heart resting rate is mid 40,s which is to low!, I really don’t want it but on the other hand I’m at risk of dropping dead according to the cardiologist’s , I can’t really get my head around it to be honest.