Groups explained
Groups are mini communities on topics of special interest such as a local fundraising branch or an international trek, You can suggest a new group at the bottom of the group home page.
ICD implanting
I had an ICD fitted at the City Hospital in Nottingham in April this year. To be truthful I am finding it slightly odd having this device inside me, well just under the surface, the scar site tends at times to be a bit itchy and sometimes painful, more sore than painful. How have others coped and are there follow up groups because bluntly its been done and the same as my Angioplasty in 2004 I slipped thro' the net. Answers would be gratefully received
I had ICD fitted a few months ago, at the City Hospital in Nottingham...after Heart Failure. am getting used to it, tho' I have found it a bit uncomfortable during the night...are there any groups, in this area please ..... Valerie
Hi Valerie, it is nice to hear from you, yes it is uncomfortable for the first few months but i have been told that if you wear your bra strap tight on a nighttime that does cause irratation, as for the ICD group in your area, i would suggest you contact your local library and hospital, they will have details of any groups, i hope you are feeling a bit better now, hope to hear from you soon Valerie, take care Paul
I saw your comment and Paul's reply bit surprised at him wearing Bra's at night, only joking, no I fully understand your need to go to a group but the hospital should put you in touch with a group, try ringing the Cardiac Team on the ward you were on and they will best direct you. I found a bit of discomfort at first, it does take some getting used to having something your so reliant on just under the surface of your skin, but in the fullness of time I found it just becomes part of you, your bound to notice it, I still do and now its several months on, but its functioning fine and the Cardiac Team on the ward gave me a Merlin@Home transmitter, that now cuts out my visits to the Unit and now I just have an annual one, but I found that rather than seeking out people similar I found that carrying on with life and its daily routine was better. You may think differently its up to you, but if you want to chat then feel free, I am more than happy to listen and share my experiences with you. But really try and be the person you were, accept your limitations but just be yourself , your not different or there is no sign saying you have a Cardiac Device, just enjoy life and enjoy your self. Best wishes Eugene
Sorry its taken me a while to get back to you Paul, but yes the hospital gave me the at home device to plug into my router, and I don't think that any of the directions you gave were any use, its better to be a part of life than be noticed outside it, if you stopped and thought for one minute you would realise the lady making the comment was very uncertain and insecure in having this device and in this current economic climate the subsidy that groups enjoyed has or will be withdrawn. Better an acceptance of what is a part of her now and until they discover something different that will be a part of each of us, so ease up a bit and be a bit more laid back, you might find people are more responsive to you then.
Best wishes
Eugene
hi i am 35 yrs old and had an icd fitted on 3/2/12 after a sudden cardiac arrest at home .they havent as yet found out why it happened after doing many tests. i am coping ok with it and am now back doing all normal jobs like kids/housework/ looking after the horses etc i am signed off work till end of march and been told i am unable to drive for 6 months[i am counting down the hours] wondered how the driving thing has effected other people,i live in a rural area with 3 kids at 3 different schools and a hubby who works abroad a lot.not driving is a very big pain.i am struggling to see how someone who is at risk of having a heart attack or has a pacemaker is deemed safe to drive after 6 weeks yet my icd could go off without me knowing and i am a risk .
It does seem a bit strange. I think the reason is you can't be sure how often and how the severly the ICD kicks in. Some people seem to react differently to the shock of getting a shock.
When I had mine fitted over a year ago I was told that moves were afoot to rationalise the driving bans. -- i suppose the wheels of change are turning slowly.
Hi Eugene, I also had an ICD fitted at the Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham in June this year, fortunately I have have got used to the muscle twitches, my scar has healed perfectly, I currently have a 'Merlin@Home transmitter' connected to my phone line at home so the ICD clinic can talk to my machine while i am asleep, which negates the needs to visit the clinic every few months, I am coping well with my new left boob (it has actually got a little bit bigger)