Mended Hearts Open Forum

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  • 1.  electrophysiologist - irregular heart rhythm - implanted defibrillator

    Posted 20 days ago

    I'm freaking out.  So many health problems. So many doctors, meds, self-advocacy, insurance issues, scans, bloodwork.  Heart, lungs, penile cancer waiting to be kidney cancer, autoimmune diseases (psoriatic arthritis and sarcoidosis), immunosuppressants, Camzyos, diabetes, blood pressure, joint pain, elevated liver enzymes/fatty liver, pancreatic cyst, possible lung cancer being explored now...that's only 1% of my issues. I'm only 58.  Money running low.  Friends retiring with wives and have grown kids.  I have two divorces, no job, no kids.  Gotta get a job in between appointments when I'm not sick in this economy? No family.  Isolated.  Just a therapist to talk to--50 minute hour twice a week.  Was I Hitler in a former life? Karma? Anyway, I've had obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy for a couple years. It's getting worse.  Awaiting another cardiac MRI. Just wore a Zio monitor and it shows irregular heart beat. One of my several cardiologists called me tonight and wants me to see her colleague, an electrophysiologist about this with the possibility of needing implanted defibrillator.  If you have this, please walk me through from before you got it to now?



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    Jordan Rudnick
    Los Angeles
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  • 2.  RE: electrophysiologist - irregular heart rhythm - implanted defibrillator

    Posted 18 days ago
    Hi Jordan, so sorry you're experiencing all these concerns. It's certainly understandable having any anxiety when it comes to heart procedures. I can share with you my before and after situation with my new Implanted Cardiac Device (ICD). In my case it was January 2nd, I suffered a cardiac event, with no warning. Over the next week, I had four code blue events. Each of these events caused more strain on my heart. My heart efficiency had dropped to 23%, heart rhythm was going in and out of what they called AFIB. In my case an ICD was recommended ASAP, but we had to wait a few days so my heart efficiency could increase enough to allow the implant procedure. When I asked why I needed this inplant it was explained to me that I would have a device inside me that acts like my personal EMT, ready to pace my heart rhythm and if needed defibrillate my heart to return my heart to beating correctly when needed. The alternative was to have a cardiac event and wait for the ambulance to arrive and try and save my life. It,s now for 4 months with the ICD. At first I had some anxiety coping with the idea a foreign piece of hardware inside me ready to save my life. LOL, I am a hardware engineering technician and still I had some emotional issues with this idea. After the implant procedure, over the next two weeks I had 2 or 3 visits with my electrophysiologist Dr. & the ICD company technical technician for checks. With each ICD check I emotionally felt better about putting my trust into this device. Today I feel GREAT and am doing well. By the way, a friend of mine has had an ICD for the last 13 years and it saved her fife a few times. I hope this information helps. Jordan, you're in my thoughts and prayers. Best regards Fred Pollard.    





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