My life with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)

[@PennyMiller-j1k]

I’m now 75 years old and have had my ICD 13 years. All this time I’m told it’s been steadily pacing my heart, but I’ve never felt a thing. Two days ago I got my first ever shock. I truly, after all these years, figured it would never happen. I was sitting still in my chair and began to feel odd, serious turmoil in my upper left chest. I recall thinking it felt deadly. Then suddenly I was physically jolted forward completely out of my chair. It was not painful in the least, rather it was like an internal punch outward forward, a massive thud, somewhat soft, but powerful. It left me weak for hours and slightly disoriented. I had no idea what to do so just called my cardiologist. Since this happened, I’m gathering my educational info on the Internet. If you’ve got or are soon getting an ICD, be positive and thankful this technology exists. I know it saved me.

[@michelleroberts6597]

thank you VERY much for sharing this information, Penny. all the best 🙏🩷🙏, your Canadian friend!

[@neidabyrd6962]

I have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, too, so I really connected with your story. Great video! I feel the ICD will give me much more confidence about my cardiac health. Thanks!

[@bartek95377]

Did it make you able to do more things? and can you feel this device?

[@johnnapolitana4665]

Thank you so much

[@bhawnabhagat4390]

I am 25 years old girl,I have a left ventricle dialeted cardiomyopathy and I have implanted an icd device last year september, and I am totally fine..

[@AmarjitPadhy-jk7no]

Are you able to do your daily living work normally

[@bhawnabhagat4390]

Yes and am doing P.hd.

[@AmarjitPadhy-jk7no]

Had you feel shock till ??

[@bhawnabhagat4390]

By god's grace, no

[@AmarjitPadhy-jk7no]

That's really a good news...

[@godisgood4334]

Thank you so much for sharing ❤ May God bless you and everyone that reads this comment 🙏

[@hcathytagmount5124]

Great story so well explained by a very strong women. Thank you

[@Groundedsquirrel]

Thank you

[@timdench2583]

Thanks for sharing

[@nickywilks7928]

Very informative, and very well explained.

[@martingolding4951]

Am 59 and 7 weeks ago had an ICD implant so far so good ive felt less activity in my chest as i was having palpitations flutters heart racing every day for 23yrs now.i had a double heart bypass in 2001 heart failure in 2004

[@AuroraMeansDawn27]

Thankyou for this. Im waiting to see if i need a pacemaker or ICD. Im TERRIFIED of the shocks. So im trying to watch more positive videos.

[@controllerbrain]

My dad is getting one tomorrow. I'm convinced the shocks are uncomfortable but not painful.

[@terrymcdermott8320]

Hope you ok

[@Naaweiyaa]

Thank you for this informative video...I'm a 62 yr old male...getting mine Wednesday...and getting whatever kind of info I can for the procedure...I mean...what to expect...how long is the recovery...I tell my family when an episode happens...a voice is gonna come out of my chest yelling...CLEAR...when things happen to me I tend to make it comical...I'm not scared about the procedure...I'm apprehensive about...life after...

[@Satan-Is-a-Lawyer]

I know this is a 8 month old comment. I just want say that my dad had one out in 4 years ago. Today it shocked him and saved his life. Doctor said if he didn’t have that he would have died. He didn’t have any complications during those 4 years and didn’t stop his usual physical activity.

[@MyHeartFailureJourney]

How are you doing?

[@Naaweiyaa]

I’m doing fine no shocks every once in awhile I go to the ER Last time I went the doctor said you have a pacemaker defibrillator, just let it do its job I said is that what medicine is now just a bunch of spoiled brat doctors living off the rich and to hell with everyone else But recently I’ve been dropped by my state insurance cause my wife makes too much money I’m eligible for Medicaid and Medicare in July but once again we bring in too much money I’m on entresto now as well as xerelto Now I’m dealing with my lungs It’s like I’m paying for my sins

[@MyHeartFailureJourney]

@@Naaweiyaa Are you still working?

[@Naaweiyaa]

@@MyHeartFailureJourney no I’m on disability

[@billballaro6039]

Thank you so much for sharing

[@hkja99]

Just got an ICD. Not a lot of info on the web about interference from things like a smartwatch or things in the kitchen

[@jasonparfitt4299]

Hi mate got mine 3 weeks ago to.Modern icd are ok in the kitchen apart from induction oven hobs .Try to be at least 6 inches from them.Icds are ok around microwaves ,although obviously a distance of 6 inches away is advised.Avoid dangling head phones around your neck.Mobile phones should be OK,but some apple I pads have magnets on them so keep around 6 inches away from them.Hope your recovering well,oh and I dont miss driving one bit😊

[@travelwithsourav4582]

I am 25 year old, ex footballer, implanted icd 6 month before, life is not well as before😔 and get shock several time, it is nightmare to me🙃

[@terrymcdermott8320]

Same

[@MyHeartFailureJourney]

I got a defibrillator/pacemaker (I call them jumper cables) installed about 2 months ago and really hope there is NEVER a need for a shock

[@scottclifton6696]

Do you feel better after having them put in .as in more awake and sprite and energised? Thanx .

[@fx1c333]

If you think you are having a heart attack phone 999 sit down DON'T panic. Here is the reason 1. you have a panic attack which can worsen your situation speeding up your heart and hyper ventilating very bad. Slow your heart rate as much as possible yes your going into scared mode but calming your self will stop more damage to your heart. I know I've had 2 attacks before the ICD implant. DON'T PANIC. I know it's stressful but no stress means less damage.

[@davidquadagno8230]

Mine went off twice during the first week of January 2024. Rapid heat rate and a. Fib was the trigger.

[@anantvats5539]

Was just a.fib? or the a. Fib conducted to the ventricular tachy or v.fib? Which caused the shock?

[@martinzeidler5743]

It would be much easier to understand this if the audio was better and there wasn't background music...

[@terencespragg5708]

My wife has one I have a question if she was in town and no one knew she had one implanted and someone used a defibrillator on her what would happen.

[@gailprier3785]

Your wife needs a medic alert bracelet or necklace to let first responders know she has an icd.

[@terencespragg5708]

@@gailprier3785 Thank you for your reply but my question was what would happen she has a med alert bracket I asked a doctor but he said it should be fine but that flys in the face of common sense.

[@martingolding4951]

I had a defibrillator implant 7 weeks ago, and I wasn't given a card or a bracelet. I had to buy my own card implant alert card from eBay

[@martingolding4951]

@terencespragg5708 From the research I've done, it should be OK and no damage to the implanted defibrillator

[@kanaletumlinson]

Thank you for sharing your story. I was diagnosed with Brugada syndrome last week after a passing out episode with seizure like episode.. I am 35 years old otherwise have been healthy all my life. My father passed in his sleep at 49 so I wonder if he had the same genetic condition.. I am glad it was found and am scheduled to get SICD procedure 2 days before Christmas. I am scared but also relieved and told I can life a happy long life afterwards with my guardian angel SICD.

[@lisamccullough5150]

Did they not do an autopsy on your father?

[@leahstumm9662]

👍

[@kalavathist2783]

Any one is here with ICD and having baby after implantation of ICD. Please tell me

[@gracegladden3279]

Overpowering music volume. Too hard to hear.

[@Noname-ew9js]

I have had one six years. I have a paramedic friend who said they shock you on the back. I don't see how that's good unless the timing is co ordinated. I read about someone getting murdered and the device revived them nine times. It's instant communication once it goes off. I wouldn't let a paramedic do anything with out the device doctor's instructions.

[@karim8516]

I am scared of the schocks.I am only 19.I just want a normal life but I have a EF of 10%

[@goldenpandayt1589]

Dude don't be scared you'll be alright how are you now?

[@karim8516]

@@goldenpandayt1589 I got transplanted but feel terrible.I can not even really stand up

[@Groundedsquirrel]

@@karim8516hi. I hope you have recovered from the difficulty of the transplant and are living better. From someone with CHF

[@nobody-lo9zu]

How are you now?

[@Fluffimuff]

Yes please let us know how you are doing now.

[@colleenkennedy]

Music not necessary.

[@thomashudson3694]

Mine suck me like maybe like 3 months ago I was feeling pretty good before that happened I was having sex at that time but the doctor had mindset pretty low at the heartbeats per minute because I wasn't that active at the time but then I started getting active in but he said I also get an irregular heartbeat I got from heaven h1n when flu it attacked my heart I'm happy to have it it's sort of like a just in case something happens kind of a thing if I do have a heart attack at least maybe he can bring me back you never know but when I did Shock Me Up wasn't crazy it was kind of like maybe a putting your finger inside of a 240 bolt electrical circuit and then I asked my girlfriend did you feel that and she said what happened to you and I was like I think I just got shocked by the thing it wasn't ridiculous I thought it would be worse can you make the appointment with the doctor he said everything was okay with me but he did say that I was having a regular heartbeat and that's what happened