Defibrillator

By hwokie

1 min read

My cardiologist recommends a defibrillator be in me. I have heard horror stories from a relative about being shocked by it. Others have told me good things about theirs. My cardiologist tells me that because my ejection fraction is low at 25 that my heart cannot restart itself if it stops.

Would love to hear stories about your experiences with one if you have similar circumstances.

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barbnurse Member
I have a defibrillator haven’t had any problems. I see it as an insurance plan
suzanm Member
I had one put in 2014 after triple bypass. I have not any problem with it other than feeling the bump where it sits . I think of it as insurance to give me a chance
1. aedigrr Member
 Can you see it with a blouse?
wonkie53 Member
I had heart failure in March of this year. I now have a pacemaker defibrillator, and have had no problems with it what so ever.
sidc Member
Have CHF with V-Tach & AFIB. Current EF ~15%. Had my first defibrillator (CRT-D device) implanted in 2006 - EF ~30%. Was a silver bullet-I felt better immediately. Replaced it in 2011-battery end of life. Replaced it in 2017-still have this one. Had 3 discharges in 2018. Slept thru 1st one-manufacturer notified my electrophysiologist who called me. 2nd was at home that night, 3rd in ER after ambulance ride. The shocks were much more severe than I had ever anticipated! Good news was that they happened-it did exactly what it was supposed to do and stopped significant V-Tach & got me back to normal rhythm. Lifesaving! My electrophysiologist then reprogrammed me to catch & correct the V-Tach before it reaches the threshold. He has also adjusted my meds after bedside monitor informed him of AFIB and V-Tach events. I'm a believer!
1. aedigrr Member
 Please describe the shock as graphically add you can.
2. rnthom Member
 I'm a nurse. A patient of mine described it as being punched in the chest. It scared him but his device did what it was supposed to do. The booklet I received with my device states the same thing, but some patients don't really feel it at all, so like most things, the experience is individualized.
kathielem Member
My cardiologist recommends an ICD. I’m going for a second opinion on Friday at Mass General. I am really on the fence and a little scared about this bc it’s so invasive. Right now I have a Zoll Life Vest but it’s a pain and I can’t carry it around for the rest of my life
jeh53 Member
I had my ICD implanted in August. So far so good.
rnthom Member
I'm in the same situation. I did get my pacemaker/defibrillator just yesterday. My anxiety was worse than the procedure. It was just 5 hours from start to discharge. I'm already seeing an improvement in my energy, plus I have peace of mind with regards to developing a fatal heart rhythm. Please don't hesitate to get the device.
Quacker848 Member
My ICD hasn’t given me any real problems and most of the time I forget it’s there apart from the occasional noticeable bump. A lot of people seem to confuse icd’s with crt-d’s and pacemakers and expect icd’s to improve their ef’s.
1. lauren.mullin Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="Quacker848" user-id="4154617"/> Fair point, ICD, CRT and pacemakers are not the same. I'm glad that you have found success with your ICD! I'm linking an article that reviews implantable devices in case this would be helpful to any readers. All the best, Lauren (team member) <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://heart-failure.net/devices">https://heart-failure.net/devices</a>