Confused

By CommunityMember169d29

1 min read

Hello everyone,

I'm a straight shooter, meaning I'd like to get right into it. Well, one day I was at a local Dollar General, and my heart totally stopped. I stayed in the hospital for nearly a month, and on three of those days, I was on a ventilator. I woke up with a defibrillator. Now it thumps a lot, and I don't know why.

I was wondering, does anybody else's defibrillator thump like that? I haven't received the bedside monitor that I requested in September. I was told it's on backorder. Has anyone else experienced this? Most of my days are now lived in fear of not doing the right thing. My diet is good. I'm afraid to lift and laugh too hard. Walking wears me out more than ever.

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Olivia Rose Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="CommunityMember169d29" user-id="6611829"/> Hello and welcome to our community. We are sorry you are having problems with your defibrillator and the other issues you mentioned. I had a defibrillator but did not experience any thumping. Maybe you can ask your cardiologist if the thumping you feel is regular. I too was also nervous to do things when I first got the defibrillator, but it got better over time. Keep us informed about how you are feeling and what your cardiologist says. -Olivia Rose Moderator
ttrimb1e Member
I am now on my fifth ICD, so I have been there. First, there is no reason to fear lifting or laughing after the initial healing. If those cause a problem you doc need to evaluate why. The other part of your concern is the "thump". I am not sure what you are describing. If it was giving you a shock you would certainly know it and it would feel much stronger than a thump. I almost knocks you down. There is a middle level of therapy called cardioversion. If it is having to use that it can feel like a thump. Until you get a home monitor, you should go get a readout if you feel that very often, to see if the device is doing it. Push the electrophysiologist for information. Tom.
1. John Bottrell, RRT Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="ttrimb1e" user-id="4144181"/> Hi. I also would like to welcome you to the community. I see you received a couple great replies and some tips from <inline-mention username="Olivia Rose" user-id="6617030"/> and <inline-mention username="ttrimb1e" user-id="4144181"/>. I am curious how you are doing today? Were you able to talk to your cardiologist? Thinking of you. John. <a href='https://heart-failure.net' target='_blank'>heart-failure.net</a> community moderator
CommunityMember169d29 Member
Hello, thank you all for responding. I have talk briefly with a cardiologist. Ended up having to change him because, he didn't seem to have much time to listen to me. However I do have a new one scheduled to see him 2/09/23. I can't hardly wait to talk with him. I have been told that the thumping was the device itself doing maintenance. Never heard of that either, so I'm still lost about that myself. Still no bed side monitor. I am feeling better about my new life. I really understand my medication better. There's different kinds of heart failure gotta find out where and which is mine. The thumping is tense and noticeable but not painful, really weird. When it starts I suddenly stop whatever I'm doing and relax. That's all I can do 
1. CommunityMember169d29 Member
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMember169d29" user-id="6611829"/> Hello to all. I did get to my new cardiologist. Best decision I've made. He explained to me that I was on all medication that I suppose to be on. Expect for one! He also stated that I should have been on it along with the others because they go hand in hand. This new cardiologist had me in a private room, one on one didn't have that with prior cardiologist. He also stated that I didn't need another Arteriogram, thatbwould be to close together. The other cardiologist wanted to do one immediately after me having one in October then back again in December. That's when I knew I needed to change cardiologist. The new one just ordered the previous test that was taken in October. Then he explained to me that my heart failure was due to pulmonary embolism (DVT) not blockage. He also checks my devibilator. I do now have my bedside monitor. Which the new cardiologist nurse took information off of it and had me signed on before my appointment. So I feel so much better about it all. However, me not knowing that someone else was monitor it as well, I still asked. Upon me leaving I was thinking I had to bring the machine in. The nurse said No why should you? I said so you can make sure it's working. Nurse said no we already check on it and if something don't read right we contact you. Best feeling ever. The previous cardiologist had no concern for me at all and it didn't take long to figure it out. Doctors have many patients, I know but this new cardiologist makes me feel like he's for me and me only. Thank you All for responding 
2. Leslie Castro Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMember169d29" user-id="6611829"/> I’m very glad you had a great appointment with your new cardiologist. And that the cardiologist was very thorough in explaining everything to you. Leslie (Community Moderator)
John Bottrell, RRT Moderator & Contributor
Thank you for the update about how you are doing. It is so nice to hear that this new cardiologist is working out so well for you. Wishing you all the best. John. <a href='https://heart-failure.net' target='_blank'>heart-failure.net</a> community moderator