ICD/Pacemaker Combo?

[kathyn2]

Re: ICD/Pacemaker Combo?

Julie, just so you know, my hocm specialist, Dr. Pravin Shah, does not recommend the EP studies. Maybe since you had the first one installed 6 years ago that was what they did then. If I get one (which I think is a real possiblity) I am not going to allow that! Did you have to get the ep study on the one you just got? What/where is ccf?

[kathyn2]

Re: ICD/Pacemaker Combo?

Reenie, did your husband have general anesthesia when he got his icd?

When my husband got his ICD they didn't do the EP study at all, therefore no incision in the groin. They just made the incision in the upper left chest near the collar bone, inserted the lead through a vein, and made a pocket to put the device into. When they brought him out it was about 1 pm or so. He went home from the hospital the same day, although I think that's somewhat unusual. He didn't take anything more than tylenol or motrin for the pain.

Reenie

[Art Geddes]

Re: ICD/Pacemaker Combo?

Kathy,

I had an icd/pacer put in Mar 98 under similar circumstances. My 24 hr holter caused the ep to put me in the hospital because of the v-tach. They did an ep on mon but I surprised them first by going into v-fib as soon as they got me on the table. Took multiple shocks to restore a rythum. 7 years later the ep crew still remembers me as Mr Excitement.
They are pacing DDD pacing me and it has reduced my mitral regurg which is good but I am still bothered but a lot of chest pain, SOB light headedness after squatting, but hte graying out/ pre syncope has disappeared. I am not satisfied overall because I can not do what I want, ie walk 100 yards so I am probably going to go to Mayo for a consult. DDD pacing overalll has not been succesfull to alleviate symptoms but pacing in general has solved my v-tach problems.
Art
PS: I decided not to mention my son here as his icd had to be replaced because of endocarditis, a rare complication of any implant. He is doing ok now.

[Reenie]

Re: ICD/Pacemaker Combo?

Reenie, did your husband have general anesthesia when he got his icd?

When my husband got his ICD they didn't do the EP study at all, therefore no incision in the groin. They just made the incision in the upper left chest near the collar bone, inserted the lead through a vein, and made a pocket to put the device into. When they brought him out it was about 1 pm or so. He went home from the hospital the same day, although I think that's somewhat unusual. He didn't take anything more than tylenol or motrin for the pain.

Reenie

Yes, they put him clear under for the implantation.

Reenie

[jujemendoza2002]

Re: ICD/Pacemaker Combo?

Yeah the doctors released me from the hospital like 4 hours after my replacement, and didn't give me nothing more than the tylenol or motrin, I feel pretty crappy though, I think they could of giving me something a lil stronger than tylenol or motrin at least for the first couple days, I'm sensitive to pain I guess.

[kathyn2]

Re: ICD/Pacemaker Combo?

Jen, I hope you feel better soon. You are making me dread this if I decide to get one. ugh

[Laoshur]

Re: ICD/Pacemaker Combo?

Kathyn,

Don't worry. For most of us the pain is a little unpleasant, but nothing severe. I took some Tylenol the first day or two and then nothing. Riding in a car was unpleasant for the first couple of days. But four days after the implant I rode in a car from Richmond VA to Louisville KY without any severe problems. I would not recommend it, but it was possible and not very unpleasant.

Rhoda

[jujemendoza2002]

Re: ICD/Pacemaker Combo?

Please don't take me wrong the implant is well worth it, just a lil sore.

[Nigel]

Re: ICD/Pacemaker Combo?

After the implant, how long does it take for the pain to go away? Are there medications that help?

Thanks,

Nigel

[jujemendoza2002]

Re: ICD/Pacemaker Combo?

I guess just the tylenol and just being careful not to bump it or move around too much the first few days, i think it helps to sleep with a body pilllow to keep from rolling over on it. alot of time.

[Rich Miller]

Re: ICD/Pacemaker Combo?

Hi guys,On 11/4/04 I had a new medtronic maximo dr put in , only needed tylenol for pain and it was only sore enough for tylenol for 3 days .I also am paced 100% which has lowered my gradient rather well ,but it has also weakend my heart ,ejection fraction is less than 50% now , but no syncope and no shocks for allmost 2yrs. Rich

[kathyn2]

Re: ICD/Pacemaker Combo?

Rich, are you concerned about the heart weakening? Do you need to be paced 100% of the time? I have a doctor that wants to put in an icd/pacemaker and pace me to relieve obstruction but I am afraid of the heart weakening. So far I can't find any literature on it How do you know this has happened to your heart and is it worth it?

One more question is what causes the syncope that seems to be prevalent with this disease?

[shirleymahoney]

Re: ICD/Pacemaker Combo?

Kathy

I was paced for over a year and i think the only thing i got from it was an AV Block and it didn't reduce the obstruction any so, i think they are finding that pacing isn't working like they hoped, but i would not give up my defibulator for anyone it is my best friend and it will be yours too, i don't even know mine is there most of the time unless i hit it or something and even then it isn't too bad

Have a great weekend

Shirley

[Rich Miller]

Re: ICD/Pacemaker Combo?

well I had a cath done and my cardio told me this about it getting weak.is it worth it ,well so far so good.I have a lot more muscle than i need so i dont want it to be real strong I guess .I feel good and can do more, just have to keep a slow pace and take lots of breaks.Rich

[shirleymahoney]

Re: ICD/Pacemaker Combo?

I also wanted to add my heart failure has gotten worse my BNP was 686 a couple of months ago well you take care and keep in touch

Shirley