I am due to have an S-ICD fitted next week and was hoping that anyone else here with one could post your thoughts about the device, particularly how long it took you to recover and it was painful for and how long you were off work or unable to do certain tasks?
Because it is likely to not need an overnight stay, I think my work expect me to be back and working within a couple of days but I'm not sure if this is very realistic. The cardiac nurse advised 1 week, but I see some people saying elsewhere that they were still in pain three weeks later or even longer.
I also have a golf weekend coming up six weeks after - is that realistic do you think?
Any and all thoughts on these or the S-ICD in general would be much appreciated, thanks.
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MrHocum
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Hi Mr LocumI hope you get specific responses and you get on well with the s-ICD. I was considered and wanted an s-ICD but in the end have had a two lead IV ICD implanted instead in mid March
Unfortunately one of the leads failed, probably detached itself from the heart and I have had to have the whole procedure again including the removal of the invading lead.
I had been itching to get back doing things on a path to my normal routines which included running. I hasten to add I was careful at all times, only walked, did do modest gardening. The lead did fail on day one evening so although I was quizzed about what had I been doing, I was confident I hadn't caused the lead to fail.
But second time around I am being even more cautious. I was in discomfort with wound healing for all the 6 weeks pending the second op and although I briefly jogged a few yards the body movement and mass of the box, it is aftersall mostly weighty battery, was still uncomfortable. The leads also have to bed in and the tissue has to grow around the contact points to anchor them as well as any stitches holding the leads in place en route from the box to end point.
So although you have all the reduced risks of non heart invasive procedure my own view is you are advised to take it steady for x weeks, follow it strictly and maybe add a week for certainty. I think with the location of the sICD box a golf swing is just about the most extreme test you might subject it to.
And finally , fitting an s ICD I believe takes longer and requires a general anaesthetic. Although the IV ICD is invasive to the heart and blood vessel it is done under local and quite quickly. I think that says something about the amount of healing your body will have to do.
Thanks a lot for taking the time to post with your experience. Even though it's a traditional ICD, you still have the box under your skin and it's still fairly chunky from the pictures I have seen and from what you describe.
I'm a walker rather than a jogger, so hopefully less bouncing will mean I can go back to that quicker. I think you're right saying the golf swing will be quite a test for it, so I'm not feeling confident that it will be possible after only six weeks, but I will check with the cardiac team and then take it as it comes I guess. Then again, it may sort out my tendency to over-swing
Thanks a lot for the reply, it is much appreciated. I presume by fine, you mean fairly much pain free but by the sounds of it still adjusting to having the S-ICD and still with restricted movement (if you are saying you aren't sure about swinging a golf club six weeks later)?
How long was it until you didn't feel restricted at all in what you do (or do you still feel it restricts some things even now)?
I will definitely ask the team when they carry out the implantation, but I suspect that recovery does vary from person to person.
I was thinking more of the wires possibly being displaced before their bedded in I have absolutely no restriction in movement , I don’t even realise I have it.
That’s reassuring. I’m still having a bit of a hard time believing that I’m voluntarily doing this to myself, so hearing stuff like this really helps, thanks.
It is an expensive procedure. I doubt very much if it would be recommended if the risk of a potential fatal event wasn't significant. The primary response will be medication , but this is a vital backup. As you know I have an ICD, but the rationale is the same.
You don't say why they are advising you to have the implant. My husband had an S-ICD implant over 6 years ago. He has long Q-T syndrome and had a cardiac event/arrest before the implant.
The first couple of weeks you will find the wound site may be a bit painful as it heals. Like any surgical procedure it takes time for the body and wound to heal. I personally wouldn't recommend golf for the first few months, but ask the clinic for advise.
My husband took a few months to settle after the implant but he only thinks about it now at the airport as he can't go through the traditional scanning. He just shows the card to the staff and they bypass the usual system. He is generally through quicker than I am. He is also banned from the kitchen if our induction hob is on - he see that as a positive.
With an S-ICD the wire does not go into the heart so you should find return to normal quick. I would stay off work for 2 weeks particularly if you do much manual work, but again ask the clinic.
Just think of it as your own paramedic monitoring you 24/7 and there to look after you.
Thanks very much for taking the time to post. Mine is being fitted as I have HCM and occasional runs of NSVT, which seem to be getting a little worse and which I am told puts me at increased risk of SCD.
It's good to hear that your husband now hardly thinks about it. Has he had a battery change yet as I understand it lasts between 5 and 7 years?
Thanks for the link - I think it is one the cardiac nurse also linked to and it is quite useful.
Thanks also for the good wishes. I know it is almost certainly the right thing to do, but it's still quite hard to do when I mostly feel fine.
He has a home download latitude communicator. This downloads his S-ICD every week. The cardiac technicians can see if he has had any arrythmias and any treatment they also check battery life. In addition they call him in every year to see if there are any software uploads and check the battery (30% on his last visit). All this checking is done without intervention just put a device over the skin near his implant. To be honest we don't really think much about the implant now, but it is there if he needs it. It gives us peace of mind to know he is being monitored all the time.
30% battery life still after six years sounds good and I hadn't really thought about the constant monitoring it would be able to do. I spent a few days plugged into a monitor at hospital a few months ago, so I guess it may save me from something similar in the future hopefully.
Thanks again for taking the time. It's good to hear positive real-life stories like this.
I had my ICD fitted on 19th March under a General at Harefield. It was painful for about a week and gradually became less uncomfortable. I went back to work after 10 days on a shorter day and that worked for me but I don't do a manual job. I am going to try next week for full hours.
I had alot of bruising and the HF nurse said having the procedure done under a GA was good because they can spend more time getting the box and wires in the correct place.
I have had no problems at all. I still feel the odd pull if I overstretch. I wish you all the best. Take care. 😊
Thanks a lot for sharing your experience, it is much appreciated. Was that bruising around the box or where they put the wires? How long did it take to go down would you say in case I have the same?
So you are still not on full hours, even now, but presumably it is not really painful any more so what are you finding is causing you issues still, if you don't mind me asking? Is it affecting your typing for example?
It took me a few months to not notice it most of the time, you still get moments when you move or turn in your sleep and it reminds you it is there! Not a shock just an inflexible lump.After the implant you are not advised to drive, do anything stressful or lift the arm near the wound. This advise is there to allow the wires to implant and remains until you have a check-up about 6 weeks after the implant. (Mine was actually about 8 weeks).
Thanks a lot Frank. When you say 'lift the arm' I presume that means not to lift it what - over your head, or more than 90 degrees? Presumably doing things like typing now would be OK?
Thanks Frank. It really seems that recovery time varies, so I hope I am on the lighter end of things. It sounds like golf in six weeks could well be a bit early even so, but I guess I will just have to take things as they come.
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