Hi, I am an old member of this group that hasn't posted in a long time. I have had hocm for years with symptoms of shortness of breath, palpitations etc but no history of any other family members with this disease nor any sudden death in the family.
Recently I have had more heart palpitations and had fleeting blackouts twice and I saw an electrophysiologist today because of the blackouts (2 in 2 weeks). He wants to implant an icd/pacemaker combo wed so I don't have much time. He thinks the blackouts are dangerous. They only last a second and I have never gone all the way out. But I have been wearing a monitor for a few weeks where you hit a button if you feel something funny and call them in over a phoneline. So far nothing I have sent in has been a big problem but today at the doctor office he had a machine that read my monitor and he said there was a long run of dangerous tach on it and I should get the icd asap.
He also wants to try that thing where they pace your heart a certain way to try to alleviate the obstruction. He claims this is 'new'. As far as I remember from this group, that is really something from a few years ago and they decided it wasn't all that beneficial. Can anyone tell me more bout this or if I should get the pacemaker also? I have so many questions and little time. I saw Dr. Pravin Shah at one time but I don't know if I can get ahold of him before wed to get his opinion. And I haven't seend him for close to 2 years.
Whats anyone's opinion about this pacing and is there something 'new' in this realm? Also, can someone tell me how painful this surgery is and how long you are out of commission? And does anyone have a pacemaker and if so, did it make your heart feel better or worse? It all scares me and I don't have much time. He wanted to do the procedure today but I had to take care of family matters first so it is put off til wed. Any and all info is appreciated. I am not sure I want the pacemaker part and am even wondering if the icd is necessary. I do not take any meds because of bad side effects. sorry for the long post. Kathy
Recently I have had more heart palpitations and had fleeting blackouts twice and I saw an electrophysiologist today because of the blackouts (2 in 2 weeks). He wants to implant an icd/pacemaker combo wed so I don't have much time. He thinks the blackouts are dangerous. They only last a second and I have never gone all the way out. But I have been wearing a monitor for a few weeks where you hit a button if you feel something funny and call them in over a phoneline. So far nothing I have sent in has been a big problem but today at the doctor office he had a machine that read my monitor and he said there was a long run of dangerous tach on it and I should get the icd asap.
He also wants to try that thing where they pace your heart a certain way to try to alleviate the obstruction. He claims this is 'new'. As far as I remember from this group, that is really something from a few years ago and they decided it wasn't all that beneficial. Can anyone tell me more bout this or if I should get the pacemaker also? I have so many questions and little time. I saw Dr. Pravin Shah at one time but I don't know if I can get ahold of him before wed to get his opinion. And I haven't seend him for close to 2 years.
Whats anyone's opinion about this pacing and is there something 'new' in this realm? Also, can someone tell me how painful this surgery is and how long you are out of commission? And does anyone have a pacemaker and if so, did it make your heart feel better or worse? It all scares me and I don't have much time. He wanted to do the procedure today but I had to take care of family matters first so it is put off til wed. Any and all info is appreciated. I am not sure I want the pacemaker part and am even wondering if the icd is necessary. I do not take any meds because of bad side effects. sorry for the long post. Kathy
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