Icd

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Deb Copas on July 31, 2010 at 7:43pm

Mary,

I too am on meds for arrythmias, I saw my cardiologist (the electrophysialogist) that implanted the ICD. He increased my meds back in Jan of this yr. I suffer from A-fib but the med I take is pretty much taking care of it. It really sounds like you are just not trusting your Dr. Especially if he tells you not to worry, to take more meds and you SHOULD be ok??? maybe you need to find another Dr for one. He is the Dr. but anyone that has our issues, has no clue what we go through with the worrying part. I went through a lot when I was first diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, and had my ICD implanted. But now, I make sure I take my meds like I should, put my care and concerns in both of my cardiologists hands, and just enjoy life. I am sorry you are having these thoughts and worries, so decide if a new Dr. is the first line of business. If you trust your Dr and have a good Dr/patient relationship, do what he says and know he is there to help you. Wish I had magic words to put your mind at ease, but just know, you are not alone with this.

mary said:

hi deb, i dont have a icd, or a pacer yet, but something tells me i will soon. im taking antenlol for arrythmias and thats why he wants to up my medicine to 50mg but my bp is already to low, my cardiologist tells me to not worry and take it twice a day i should hopefully be ok. well that made me feel, if i dont take it i will still get the arrythmia but if i do take it, it might help and the arrythmias and might go away, but what are the chances of that happening? Life has no easy answers, i guess....im afraid of passing out from the increase of medicine....or my heart stopping in my sleep...what to do?
Deb Christian said:

Mary,

What exactly is it that you are scared of? After I had my ICD implanted, my cardiologist had the pacer "tuned" because my heart too went below the 60 bpm especially when I slept. The fine tuning as I call it now keeps my heart beating at a minimum of 60 beats a minute. If you don't understand anything or have questions, make sure you ask your Dr. You need to feel good about what your Dr is doing for you, and if you don't he/she needs to know. This is YOUR body, YOUR heart, YOUR life and you deserve to have peace of mind with this. Good Luck to you

mary said:

i have a question about the heart going below 60 bpm, my doctor wants to up my medine to 50mg and i told him its already at 60bpm at rest. he said thats why you take it twice a day your bp and bpm wont go down much more than that..Im scared.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by mary on July 31, 2010 at 8:15pm

Thanks, Deb, That is very good advice and I appreciate it. I have to learn to trust my Doctor, I will give it a try, the worst that could happen is that, I get dizzy spells, and at that point I'll know if I can tolerate the medicine increase. Then I will let my doctor know, its not working for me and I guess he can lower me back down to the 25mg instead again? but if that happen's, will they decide to put a ICD in me for the low bp and bpm rate with the higher dose of medicine? or do they wait until you pass out on the floor from these arrythmias? I hope not, that would be like playing russion rulet! with life! If you know what I mean! Your right doctors don't know what we are going through, I pray there will be a cure for these arrythmias at some point in time for our children's sake! Thank You for your support in this, it really makes a big differnce when someone else has the same problems. Thank You

Deb Christian said:

Mary,

I too am on meds for arrythmias, I saw my cardiologist (the electrophysialogist) that implanted the ICD. He increased my meds back in Jan of this yr. I from A-fib but I take is pretty much taking care of it. It really sounds like you are just not trusting your Dr. Especially if he tells you not to worry, to take more meds and you SHOULD be ok??? maybe you need to find another Dr for one. He is the Dr. but anyone that has our issues, has no clue what we go through with the worrying part. I went through a lot when I was first diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, and had my ICD implanted. But now, I make sure I take my meds like I should, put my care and concerns in both of my cardiologists hands, and just enjoy life. I am sorry you are having these thoughts and worries, so decide if a new Dr. is the first line of business. If you trust your Dr and have a good Dr/patient relationship, do what he says and know he is there to help you. Wish I had magic words to put your mind at ease, but just know, you are not alone with this.

mary said:

hi deb, i dont have a icd, or a pacer yet, but something tells me i will soon. im taking antenlol for arrythmias and thats why he wants to up my medicine to 50mg but my bp is already to low, my cardiologist tells me to not worry and take it twice a day i should hopefully be ok. well that made me feel, if i dont take it i will still get the arrythmia but if i do take it, it might help and the arrythmias and might go away, but what are the chances of that happening? Life has no easy answers, i guess....im afraid of passing out from the increase of medicine....or my heart stopping in my sleep...what to do?
Deb Christian said:

Mary,

What exactly is it that you are scared of? After I had my ICD implanted, my cardiologist had the pacer "tuned" because my heart too went below the 60 bpm especially when I slept. The fine tuning as I call it now keeps my heart beating at a minimum of 60 beats a minute. If you don't understand anything or have questions, make sure you ask your Dr. You need to feel good about what your Dr is doing for you, and if you don't he/she needs to know. This is YOUR body, YOUR heart, YOUR life and you deserve to have peace of mind with this. Good Luck to you

mary said:

i have a question about the heart going below 60 bpm, my doctor wants to up my medine to 50mg and i told him its already at 60bpm at rest. he said thats why you take it twice a day your bp and bpm wont go down much more than that..Im scared.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Deb Copas on July 31, 2010 at 10:35pm

Mary,

You are welcome, I know what its like to have questions and concerns about your health. It was a yr after I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy that they decided to implant the ICD. My electrical system doesn't work like it should, the signals are sent out just crazy and the ventricle doesn't pick them up like they should. That when my cardiologist referred me to an electrophysiologist and within 2 wks I had the surgery and had it implanted. Honestly I feel "safer" knowing that if I need to be shocked, it will happen immediately. Please let your Dr. know if you feel any different at all with the change in meds. They won't know unless you tell them. I can tell when I am in A-fib, and I do experience a feeling of being lightheaded. Another great feature of the ICD, is that I download the information every 3 months and it goes to a secured site, where Dan, my tech at the Pacer clinic looks at the results. The Dr's office actually called me in June after the download saying Dan wanted me to follow up with the Dr. When I went for the visit, they asked if I knew I had been in A-fib on April 9th..it lasted for 26 hours, I probably felt some palpitations but it wasn't constant. They just said they will keep an eye on my downloads in the future and if they see I am experiencing quite a few in a short period of time, they will then take action, but right now the meds seem to be doing their job and I'm confident with that. Keep me informed with what goes on with you and if they decide to implant the ICD.....I will help you in any way I can. Take Care, Deb

mary said:

Thanks, Deb, That is very good advice and I appreciate it. I have to learn to trust my Doctor, I will give it a try, the worst that could happen is that, I get dizzy spells, and at that point I'll know if I can tolerate the medicine increase. Then I will let my doctor know, its not working for me and I guess he can lower me back down to the 25mg instead again? but if that happen's, will they decide to put a ICD in me for the low bp and bpm rate with the higher dose of medicine? or do they wait until you pass out on the floor from these arrythmias? I hope not, that would be like playing russion rulet! with life! If you know what I mean! Your right doctors don't know what we are going through, I pray there will be a cure for these arrythmias at some point in time for our children's sake! Thank You for your support in this, it really makes a big differnce when someone else has the same problems. Thank You

Deb Christian said:

Mary,

I too am on meds for arrythmias, I saw my cardiologist (the electrophysialogist) that implanted the ICD. He increased my meds back in Jan of this yr. I from A-fib but I take is pretty much taking care of it. It really sounds like you are just not trusting your Dr. Especially if he tells you not to worry, to take more meds and you SHOULD be ok??? maybe you need to find another Dr for one. He is the Dr. but anyone that has our issues, has no clue what we go through with the worrying part. I went through a lot when I was first diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, and had my ICD implanted. But now, I make sure I take my meds like I should, put my care and concerns in both of my cardiologists hands, and just enjoy life. I am sorry you are having these thoughts and worries, so decide if a new Dr. is the first line of business. If you trust your Dr and have a good Dr/patient relationship, do what he says and know he is there to help you. Wish I had magic words to put your mind at ease, but just know, you are not alone with this.

mary said:

hi deb, i dont have a icd, or a pacer yet, but something tells me i will soon. im taking antenlol for arrythmias and thats why he wants to up my medicine to 50mg but my bp is already to low, my cardiologist tells me to not worry and take it twice a day i should hopefully be ok. well that made me feel, if i dont take it i will still get the arrythmia but if i do take it, it might help and the arrythmias and might go away, but what are the chances of that happening? Life has no easy answers, i guess....im afraid of passing out from the increase of medicine....or my heart stopping in my sleep...what to do?
Deb Christian said:

Mary,

What exactly is it that you are scared of? After I had my ICD implanted, my cardiologist had the pacer "tuned" because my heart too went below the 60 bpm especially when I slept. The fine tuning as I call it now keeps my heart beating at a minimum of 60 beats a minute. If you don't understand anything or have questions, make sure you ask your Dr. You need to feel good about what your Dr is doing for you, and if you don't he/she needs to know. This is YOUR body, YOUR heart, YOUR life and you deserve to have peace of mind with this. Good Luck to you

mary said:

i have a question about the heart going below 60 bpm, my doctor wants to up my medine to 50mg and i told him its already at 60bpm at rest. he said thats why you take it twice a day your bp and bpm wont go down much more than that..Im scared.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by mary on August 1, 2010 at 8:31am

All mylife I had heart problems, I was born with a weak heart, I was a premature baby. I had romatic fever as well. But as time went by my heart got better at least thats what we thought. Until I turned 19 and had my first child naturaly, thats when I got the palpitations had this for 22 years without meds, finally had to get on meds at 42 been on them since Jan. of 2010 not long. I sought of expected it to happen adventuley. Now every day counts, before I never thought of it that way. My doctor says, its not that bad, he seen worse, but the rythem problem is the main issue for me, he thinks its liveable, I disagree with him on that. Livable is when you dont have to worry if today is your last day. I guess I would feel safer with a ICD to, I guess if this problem continues he will try the electropysiology study and the icd. But I will keep you posted on what happens. and Im glad to here your feeling better with the medicine increase and your a-fib free if you don't mind me asking what meds are you taking for this condition?
Deb Christian said:

Mary,

You are welcome, I know what its like to have questions and concerns about your health. It was a yr after I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy that they decided to implant the ICD. My electrical system doesn't work like it should, the signals are sent out just crazy and the ventricle doesn't pick them up like they should. That when my cardiologist referred me to an electrophysiologist and within 2 wks I had the surgery and had it implanted. Honestly I feel "safer" knowing that if I need to be shocked, it will happen immediately. Please let your Dr. know if you feel any different at all with the change in meds. They won't know unless you tell them. I can tell when I am in A-fib, and I do experience a feeling of being lightheaded. Another great feature of the ICD, is that I download the information every 3 months and it goes to a secured site, where Dan, my tech at the Pacer clinic looks at the results. The Dr's office actually called me in June after the download saying Dan wanted me to follow up with the Dr. When I went for the visit, they asked if I knew I had been in A-fib on April 9th..it lasted for 26 hours, I probably felt some palpitations but it wasn't constant. They just said they will keep an eye on my downloads in the future and if they see I am experiencing quite a few in a short period of time, they will then take action, but right now the meds seem to be doing their job and I'm confident with that. Keep me informed with what goes on with you and if they decide to implant the ICD.....I will help you in any way I can. Take Care, Deb

mary said:

Thanks, Deb, That is very good advice and I appreciate it. I have to learn to trust my Doctor, I will give it a try, the worst that could happen is that, I get dizzy spells, and at that point I'll know if I can tolerate the medicine increase. Then I will let my doctor know, its not working for me and I guess he can lower me back down to the 25mg instead again? but if that happen's, will they decide to put a ICD in me for the low bp and bpm rate with the higher dose of medicine? or do they wait until you pass out on the floor from these arrythmias? I hope not, that would be like playing russion rulet! with life! If you know what I mean! Your right doctors don't know what we are going through, I pray there will be a cure for these arrythmias at some point in time for our children's sake! Thank You for your support in this, it really makes a big differnce when someone else has the same problems. Thank You

Deb Christian said:

Mary,

I too am on meds for arrythmias, I saw my cardiologist (the electrophysialogist) that implanted the ICD. He increased my meds back in Jan of this yr. I from A-fib but I take is pretty much taking care of it. It really sounds like you are just not trusting your Dr. Especially if he tells you not to worry, to take more meds and you SHOULD be ok??? maybe you need to find another Dr for one. He is the Dr. but anyone that has our issues, has no clue what we go through with the worrying part. I went through a lot when I was first diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, and had my ICD implanted. But now, I make sure I take my meds like I should, put my care and concerns in both of my cardiologists hands, and just enjoy life. I am sorry you are having these thoughts and worries, so decide if a new Dr. is the first line of business. If you trust your Dr and have a good Dr/patient relationship, do what he says and know he is there to help you. Wish I had magic words to put your mind at ease, but just know, you are not alone with this.

mary said:

hi deb, i dont have a icd, or a pacer yet, but something tells me i will soon. im taking antenlol for arrythmias and thats why he wants to up my medicine to 50mg but my bp is already to low, my cardiologist tells me to not worry and take it twice a day i should hopefully be ok. well that made me feel, if i dont take it i will still get the arrythmia but if i do take it, it might help and the arrythmias and might go away, but what are the chances of that happening? Life has no easy answers, i guess....im afraid of passing out from the increase of medicine....or my heart stopping in my sleep...what to do?
Deb Christian said:

Mary,

What exactly is it that you are scared of? After I had my ICD implanted, my cardiologist had the pacer "tuned" because my heart too went below the 60 bpm especially when I slept. The fine tuning as I call it now keeps my heart beating at a minimum of 60 beats a minute. If you don't understand anything or have questions, make sure you ask your Dr. You need to feel good about what your Dr is doing for you, and if you don't he/she needs to know. This is YOUR body, YOUR heart, YOUR life and you deserve to have peace of mind with this. Good Luck to you

mary said:

i have a question about the heart going below 60 bpm, my doctor wants to up my medine to 50mg and i told him its already at 60bpm at rest. he said thats why you take it twice a day your bp and bpm wont go down much more than that..Im scared.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Deb Copas on August 1, 2010 at 9:06pm

With what you just told me about the weak heart all your life, I would think with now having palpitations, they would consider at least a pacemaker if not the ICD (defibrillator included) I still have the A-fib problems, in fact I had it this past Tuesday, I felt the fast heartbeats all day and Tues night did not feel well at all....was extremely tired and just went to bed early, when I lay on my left side, I really feel the rapid heart beat. The meds I am on is Sotalol 120 mg twice a day and ramipril once a day. The sotalol is the med that was increased last Jan to help with the palpitations. I was told at my follow up visit in July, that the meds were doing their job and they will just keep an eye on me with my pacemaker download every 3 months. I'm sure they are just waiting till you are on the increased meds for a bit to see if that is helping the problem and I would imagine if after a period of time, it doesn't help, then they would consider the study and possible implant of the ICD. I have a good friend at work who keep s telling me, she doesn't know how I deal with my problem of the heart issue...I tell her I can only take my meds everyday, watch my salt intake and watch what I eat, but if the good Lord wants to take me, he will take me. That may sound bad to you, but it's the truth. It's not up to us how long we are on this earth, so I don't "worry" and stress out about my condition. I want to enjoy every minute I am here, and I hope you can do that too. Just do the increased meds thing and who knows, maybe that will help you!!!!

mary said:

All mylife I had heart problems, I was born with a weak heart, I was a premature baby. I had romatic fever as well. But as time went by my heart got better at least thats what we thought. Until I turned 19 and had my first child naturaly, thats when I got the palpitations had this for 22 years without meds, finally had to get on meds at 42 been on them since Jan. of 2010 not long. I sought of expected it to happen adventuley. Now every day counts, before I never thought of it that way. My doctor says, its not that bad, he seen worse, but the rythem problem is the main issue for me, he thinks its liveable, I disagree with him on that. Livable is when you dont have to worry if today is your last day. I guess I would feel safer with a ICD to, I guess if this problem continues he will try the electropysiology study and the icd. But I will keep you posted on what happens. and Im glad to here your feeling better with the medicine increase and your a-fib free if you don't mind me asking what meds are you taking for this condition?
Deb Christian said:

Mary,

You are welcome, I know what its like to have questions and concerns about your health. It was a yr after I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy that they decided to implant the ICD. My electrical system doesn't work like it should, the signals are sent out just crazy and the ventricle doesn't pick them up like they should. That when my cardiologist referred me to an electrophysiologist and within 2 wks I had the surgery and had it implanted. Honestly I feel "safer" knowing that if I need to be shocked, it will happen immediately. Please let your Dr. know if you feel any different at all with the change in meds. They won't know unless you tell them. I can tell when I am in A-fib, and I do experience a feeling of being lightheaded. Another great feature of the ICD, is that I download the information every 3 months and it goes to a secured site, where Dan, my tech at the Pacer clinic looks at the results. The Dr's office actually called me in June after the download saying Dan wanted me to follow up with the Dr. When I went for the visit, they asked if I knew I had been in A-fib on April 9th..it lasted for 26 hours, I probably felt some palpitations but it wasn't constant. They just said they will keep an eye on my downloads in the future and if they see I am experiencing quite a few in a short period of time, they will then take action, but right now the meds seem to be doing their job and I'm confident with that. Keep me informed with what goes on with you and if they decide to implant the ICD.....I will help you in any way I can. Take Care, Deb

mary said:

Thanks, Deb, That is very good advice and I appreciate it. I have to learn to trust my Doctor, I will give it a try, the worst that could happen is that, I get dizzy spells, and at that point I'll know if I can tolerate the medicine increase. Then I will let my doctor know, its not working for me and I guess he can lower me back down to the 25mg instead again? but if that happen's, will they decide to put a ICD in me for the low bp and bpm rate with the higher dose of medicine? or do they wait until you pass out on the floor from these arrythmias? I hope not, that would be like playing russion rulet! with life! If you know what I mean! Your right doctors don't know what we are going through, I pray there will be a cure for these arrythmias at some point in time for our children's sake! Thank You for your support in this, it really makes a big differnce when someone else has the same problems. Thank You

Deb Christian said:

Mary,

I too am on meds for arrythmias, I saw my cardiologist (the electrophysialogist) that implanted the ICD. He increased my meds back in Jan of this yr. I from A-fib but I take is pretty much taking care of it. It really sounds like you are just not trusting your Dr. Especially if he tells you not to worry, to take more meds and you SHOULD be ok??? maybe you need to find another Dr for one. He is the Dr. but anyone that has our issues, has no clue what we go through with the worrying part. I went through a lot when I was first diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, and had my ICD implanted. But now, I make sure I take my meds like I should, put my care and concerns in both of my cardiologists hands, and just enjoy life. I am sorry you are having these thoughts and worries, so decide if a new Dr. is the first line of business. If you trust your Dr and have a good Dr/patient relationship, do what he says and know he is there to help you. Wish I had magic words to put your mind at ease, but just know, you are not alone with this.

mary said:

hi deb, i dont have a icd, or a pacer yet, but something tells me i will soon. im taking antenlol for arrythmias and thats why he wants to up my medicine to 50mg but my bp is already to low, my cardiologist tells me to not worry and take it twice a day i should hopefully be ok. well that made me feel, if i dont take it i will still get the arrythmia but if i do take it, it might help and the arrythmias and might go away, but what are the chances of that happening? Life has no easy answers, i guess....im afraid of passing out from the increase of medicine....or my heart stopping in my sleep...what to do?
Deb Christian said:

Mary,

What exactly is it that you are scared of? After I had my ICD implanted, my cardiologist had the pacer "tuned" because my heart too went below the 60 bpm especially when I slept. The fine tuning as I call it now keeps my heart beating at a minimum of 60 beats a minute. If you don't understand anything or have questions, make sure you ask your Dr. You need to feel good about what your Dr is doing for you, and if you don't he/she needs to know. This is YOUR body, YOUR heart, YOUR life and you deserve to have peace of mind with this. Good Luck to you

mary said:

i have a question about the heart going below 60 bpm, my doctor wants to up my medine to 50mg and i told him its already at 60bpm at rest. he said thats why you take it twice a day your bp and bpm wont go down much more than that..Im scared.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by mary on August 1, 2010 at 9:32pm

Yes, i feel the same way, when the lord wants us its not up to us. I am going to see my doctor friday and see if he agrees with the cardiologist on upping my meds. If so then i will take it, I really dont have a choice if i dont take it something will adventually go wrong. Do you go into the hospital for monitoring the dose or you can take it at home and monitor yourself? Sometimes I dont feel like taking my bp or bpm because i get to busy doing other things but i guess i got no choice....I will keep you posted, sorry to hear that you dont feel good, i feel like that at least every once a week, sometimes weak and light headed but my husband tells me, you have to keep going....you cant give up and not do anything, in a way hes right, his strength keeps me going strong but i do complain to him alot, but hes sick to with heart problems so we struggle together, but we both worry about each other all the time.

Deb Christian said:

With what you just told me about the weak heart all your life, I would think with now having palpitations, they would consider at least a pacemaker if not the ICD (defibrillator included) I still have the A-fib problems, in fact I had it this past Tuesday, I felt the fast heartbeats all day and Tues night did not feel well at all....was extremely tired and just went to bed early, when I lay on my left side, I really feel the rapid heart beat. The meds I am on is Sotalol 120 mg twice a day and ramipril once a day. The sotalol is the med that was increased last Jan to help with the palpitations. I was told at my follow up visit in July, that the meds were doing their job and they will just keep an eye on me with my pacemaker download every 3 months. I'm sure they are just waiting till you are on the increased meds for a bit to see if that is helping the problem and I would imagine if after a period of time, it doesn't help, then they would consider the study and possible implant of the ICD. I have a good friend at work who keep s telling me, she doesn't know how I deal with my problem of the heart issue...I tell her I can only take my meds everyday, watch my salt intake and watch what I eat, but if the good Lord wants to take me, he will take me. That may sound bad to you, but it's the truth. It's not up to us how long we are on this earth, so I don't "worry" and stress out about my condition. I want to enjoy every minute I am here, and I hope you can do that too. Just do the increased meds thing and who knows, maybe that will help you!!!!

mary said:

All mylife I had heart problems, I was born with a weak heart, I was a premature baby. I had romatic fever as well. But as time went by my heart got better at least thats what we thought. Until I turned 19 and had my first child naturaly, thats when I got the palpitations had this for 22 years without meds, finally had to get on meds at 42 been on them since Jan. of 2010 not long. I sought of expected it to happen adventuley. Now every day counts, before I never thought of it that way. My doctor says, its not that bad, he seen worse, but the rythem problem is the main issue for me, he thinks its liveable, I disagree with him on that. Livable is when you dont have to worry if today is your last day. I guess I would feel safer with a ICD to, I guess if this problem continues he will try the electropysiology study and the icd. But I will keep you posted on what happens. and Im glad to here your feeling better with the medicine increase and your a-fib free if you don't mind me asking what meds are you taking for this condition?
Deb Christian said:

Mary,

You are welcome, I know what its like to have questions and concerns about your health. It was a yr after I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy that they decided to implant the ICD. My electrical system doesn't work like it should, the signals are sent out just crazy and the ventricle doesn't pick them up like they should. That when my cardiologist referred me to an electrophysiologist and within 2 wks I had the surgery and had it implanted. Honestly I feel "safer" knowing that if I need to be shocked, it will happen immediately. Please let your Dr. know if you feel any different at all with the change in meds. They won't know unless you tell them. I can tell when I am in A-fib, and I do experience a feeling of being lightheaded. Another great feature of the ICD, is that I download the information every 3 months and it goes to a secured site, where Dan, my tech at the Pacer clinic looks at the results. The Dr's office actually called me in June after the download saying Dan wanted me to follow up with the Dr. When I went for the visit, they asked if I knew I had been in A-fib on April 9th..it lasted for 26 hours, I probably felt some palpitations but it wasn't constant. They just said they will keep an eye on my downloads in the future and if they see I am experiencing quite a few in a short period of time, they will then take action, but right now the meds seem to be doing their job and I'm confident with that. Keep me informed with what goes on with you and if they decide to implant the ICD.....I will help you in any way I can. Take Care, Deb

mary said:

Thanks, Deb, That is very good advice and I appreciate it. I have to learn to trust my Doctor, I will give it a try, the worst that could happen is that, I get dizzy spells, and at that point I'll know if I can tolerate the medicine increase. Then I will let my doctor know, its not working for me and I guess he can lower me back down to the 25mg instead again? but if that happen's, will they decide to put a ICD in me for the low bp and bpm rate with the higher dose of medicine? or do they wait until you pass out on the floor from these arrythmias? I hope not, that would be like playing russion rulet! with life! If you know what I mean! Your right doctors don't know what we are going through, I pray there will be a cure for these arrythmias at some point in time for our children's sake! Thank You for your support in this, it really makes a big differnce when someone else has the same problems. Thank You

Deb Christian said:

Mary,

I too am on meds for arrythmias, I saw my cardiologist (the electrophysialogist) that implanted the ICD. He increased my meds back in Jan of this yr. I from A-fib but I take is pretty much taking care of it. It really sounds like you are just not trusting your Dr. Especially if he tells you not to worry, to take more meds and you SHOULD be ok??? maybe you need to find another Dr for one. He is the Dr. but anyone that has our issues, has no clue what we go through with the worrying part. I went through a lot when I was first diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, and had my ICD implanted. But now, I make sure I take my meds like I should, put my care and concerns in both of my cardiologists hands, and just enjoy life. I am sorry you are having these thoughts and worries, so decide if a new Dr. is the first line of business. If you trust your Dr and have a good Dr/patient relationship, do what he says and know he is there to help you. Wish I had magic words to put your mind at ease, but just know, you are not alone with this.

mary said:

hi deb, i dont have a icd, or a pacer yet, but something tells me i will soon. im taking antenlol for arrythmias and thats why he wants to up my medicine to 50mg but my bp is already to low, my cardiologist tells me to not worry and take it twice a day i should hopefully be ok. well that made me feel, if i dont take it i will still get the arrythmia but if i do take it, it might help and the arrythmias and might go away, but what are the chances of that happening? Life has no easy answers, i guess....im afraid of passing out from the increase of medicine....or my heart stopping in my sleep...what to do?
Deb Christian said:

Mary,

What exactly is it that you are scared of? After I had my ICD implanted, my cardiologist had the pacer "tuned" because my heart too went below the 60 bpm especially when I slept. The fine tuning as I call it now keeps my heart beating at a minimum of 60 beats a minute. If you don't understand anything or have questions, make sure you ask your Dr. You need to feel good about what your Dr is doing for you, and if you don't he/she needs to know. This is YOUR body, YOUR heart, YOUR life and you deserve to have peace of mind with this. Good Luck to you

mary said:

i have a question about the heart going below 60 bpm, my doctor wants to up my medine to 50mg and i told him its already at 60bpm at rest. he said thats why you take it twice a day your bp and bpm wont go down much more than that..Im scared.

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Permalink Reply by Kayla Noel Kelly on September 17, 2010 at 1:30am

Hi Kevin, I didnt see this post until now. I have actually had my ICD for a year as of September 8th and let me tell you something, despite the long recovery for myself, the device has saved my life multiple times. There were 2 times within the past year where i went into ventricular tachycardia (mini heart attack) and basically stopped breathing. The device fired and brought my heart rate to normal, saving my life. Its a decision i dont regret making. Good luck with recovery.

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