revision of icd implantation

[mongo_jones Atria Find all posts View Profile Close mongo_jones]

has anyone had this done? i'm thinking of having it done this summer. it has been about 17 months since my original icd was put in--it sticks out more than normal and while i'd originally thought i'd put up with it till it came time for the first replacement i'm now beginning to think that my quality of life is suffering too much for that to be worthwhile (especially since replacement may be 4 years away at the low rate of use it is getting now--touch wood!): i can't sleep on my left side at all--i sometimes turn over in my sleep and wake up in pain; i can literally feel the thing sticking out, especially when i wear a jacket; and more importantly it still causes some discomfort if i pass my fingers over the scar.

i have to say i am really envious of that basketball player someone referred to on another board who is playing full-contact games--i'm sure he has many more pounds of muscle on his chest than i do but i can't imagine anyone bumping lightly against my chest let alone a basketball being thrown at it or running into a hard pick!

my questions:

1. am i right in thinking that the procedure will be much, much quicker? since they'll only have to make the incision and rotate the icd a little and stick the wires under it.

2. if so, will this mean that recovery time will also be much, much quicker? for the original implantation it took me about 4 days to be completely recovered from the anaesthesia, about 2 weeks to be able to get a pain-free good night's sleep from the incision, and about 2 months before i could return to a normal range of movements.

3. what does this do to the scar tissue? i'm assuming that in a normal replacement cycle the scar heals to the extent that the next incision is almost like a new one--but if they cut through the scar as it is now will there be problems with healing? or will they make a new incision?

thanks in advance for any input/recommendations! if anyone's had it done i'd love to know what your recovery time was.

[Cynaburst Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Cynaburst]

Re: revision of icd implantation

Hi Mongo,

I haven't had a revision, but it does sound like you are having a bad time with your device. I have had mine for a little over a year, and rarely notice it. I sleep on my left all the time, and the only time I feel my ICD is if I actually press the unit itself to move into an uncomfortable position. When I move off of it, it moves back into place and is fine.

Try posting your inquiry on this board:

www.zaplife.com

This is a site dedicated only to ICDs, and I know that people on that site have had revisions and others are planning them soon. Good luck.

Cynthia