Don asked if I would post some info on the introductions thread. Actually, I have communicated with several of you (including Don) on at least two other message boards, under the name "Gramma Pat". After a lot of local press to encourage us to spread "Okie from Muskogee" around, decided to use it here.

I'm 67 y/o, semi-retired for 5 years as Exec. Clerk/Secretary to Superintendent of Schools and Board of Education. (Here for 23 years; N.M. for 15 years; Kansas for 5 years; prior experience was with private contractors, when the space program was starting really good in late 50's & early 60's) prior to that, was with paving construction company, tie & timber company, commercial dairy, builder of mobile homes. (52 years in the work force allows a lot of time to do a lot of things, moving around to keep up with hubby, a retired programmer analyst/teacher) Married 50 years, Mother of 3; grandmother of 10, great-grandmother of 2 +8/9 + 1/3 (yes, expecting two great-grands this year). All scattered across country, from Miami, FL to Southern NM, and Tucson, AZ; very large family of brothers, sisters, and all of their children.

Live outside of town in the middle of 160 acres, nearest neighbor 1/2 mile away, and love it -- we have deer, squirrel, wild turkey, every bird imaginable, and of course bobcat, racoon, fox and the like. Our "protectors" are a miniature white poodle, and a large rottweiler. Most favorite hobby is developing our landscaping in this wilderness.

First ICD implanted 9/2002 due to VTach/Vfib; Medtronic EnTrust replaced the Marquis in 9/2005.

Wow, it's time to stop this rambling, but that's a quick look.

These support boards are invaluable; I was so relieved and happy to find others with similar problems, after the first implant (it was totally unexpected).

Pat

Hi all. Will join your ranks in about 1 month. Don't think I have had any vt's yet but not sure what they feel like. Doc says this preventitive. Says SCD will happen and will be glad I had it done already.

I have CHF, EF=25. Had 5 bypass 2 1/2 years ago. 1 1/2 years ago had 3 blockages at 100%. Caused silent heart attack and muscle damage. Have DVT with blockage also have chrons disease (34 years). I am 55 yrs old. Had my large intestine and rectum removed 32 yrs ago. This will be my 20th surgery (lost of trouble with gut).

I am retired but worked for a wonderful company for 30yrs. Have been a policeman, cross country truck driver and inventory manager at lumber yard.

Learned long time ago you cannot let the disease run your life. You live your life within the limatations assosiated with it. ( but you have to cheat sometimes and pay the price).

Grand neice 7 yrs. old now

Hi Everyone,
I'm Sue (31 yrs old), married for 8 years, 2 year old son.
I am posting on this wonderful board because my Mom (61 years old) was diagnosed with CHF ten years ago. She got CHF from a random virus that attaked her heart. Long story short, to help her symptoms of CHF she had a Biventricular/defibulator device implanted last month.
So, I'm here looking for information and support. I have researched this device and CHF more than you can imagine. So, any information you want to pass along would be much appreciated! Or any information you would like to ask me about in regards to CHF, I'd be happy to share my experinces. I'm praying for everyone out there!
Sue

Hello. I am Dan from Utah and decided to introduce myself after looking in often to read others’ posts. (I believe someone else called it ‘lurking’) I am 68 years old; but can’t believe it, married to Milly a wonderful girl from Minnesota I met some forty-eight years ago, have two grown children and two grandchildren. I am retired -but can’t believe that either- from the Utah Air National Guard, having worked there – or as they say, “put in” – exactly forty years which included a four year tour in the USAF. My last position was supervisor of Inflight Refueling Operators or as they call it in the trade, a Boomer. Pretty exciting stuff including travel the world over. It was actually one of those “hours-and-hours-of-boredom-followed-by-moments-of-terror” careers.

My job required that I pass an annual Flight Physical so I always maintained excellent health. And I was always much too active to even consider something like heart disease. Thus, I could never have imagined that my future would include words like myocardial infarction, angioplasty, ventricular aneurysm resection, remodeling ventriculoplasty, SCD, or ICD implant.

So, when in September of 2004, some “young lad of a doctor” told me I was a candidate for ‘sudden cardiac death’ and I should consider an ICD, I was totally skeptical and completely resistive. I really felt like I was hearing a sales pitch for a new Hyundai.

But the intervening events at least got me to thinking about it. And I would say that the final decision to go for it was as a result of this board, your experiences and supportive comments, and those in ‘Cousin’ Zapper, where many of you also contribute. I can see that some of you have information specific to my situation so I hope to get in touch in the future.

I was implanted with a St Judes Bi-vent V243, Nov. 19th 2005 – a Hummer instead of a Hyundai. It had to be removed and replaced on Feb 10th for a “lead revision.” I haven’t had any shocks but the thing has “thumped me around” a lot. I understand all that can be fixed eventually so I am optimistic and looking forward to getting back to normal(??)

Thanks to all of you. Its great to be here.

Hello all.

I am 37, live in Victoria, BC, Canada. I was diagnosed and had my ICD implanted this January 31, 2006. I have had symptoms since grade 9 that I remember, but was misdiagnosed with the following things over the years: "malingering, not eating correctly (potassium imblanance), lazy and hating P.E. and pseudo sezuire disorder." I was in smaller towns for much of the time.

What I DO have is long QT syndrome, a glitch in the electrical system of my heart, which makes it easy for me to go into V-Fib and pass out. I got diagnosed because I was passed out over 3 times in one week and bruised myself on the face each time. I had a Doctor who took my symptoms seriously and sent me to a cardiologist. One ECG and knowledgeable physician later and here I am. I was not a candidate for beta-blockers because I have serious asthma.

I paddle with an outrigger canoe club, bike and hike all over the place and have resumed these activities, although I am really noticing I get tired easily still. I was quite ill for two months before my diagnoses so I am hoping I am just really out of shape and going to be better than ever in the long run. I have not yet received any big "zaps."

My implantation was very dramatic. First of all I thought I was young and healthy and suddenly hooked up to a pile of monitors and told not to leave a hospital bed unless I had to. A week later the Dr's implanted and ICD which slipped and fell in the night. The next day I was told they needed to go back in and move it. 4 days later I received the second ICD in the traditional, but MUCH less desireable position (for me). Later that day I was in incredible pain and an Xray determined I had a collapsed lung from the procedure. I had a chest tube in for five days. I do NOT sit still well.

Aside from the drama I CAN say I have a great partner who even stayed in hospital overnight with me for 5 nights while I had the chest tube in and was traumatised beyond what I could take at the time. I have an amazing group of friends who have supported me through the whole ordeal and continue to do so. I live in Canada and ALL my health expenses were covered, without question. I had a great social worked involved who helped me get funds to cover some childcare expenses and taked to my employer. I got disability funds because I ended up having to quit my job for now. NOT because of my disorder, but because I can't drive for 6 months. (I worked at a camp that was 2 hours away as a cook.)

SO overall, I KNOW how lucky I am to have this lifesaving device. I do have some worries and questions. I will post these in the forums and look forward to being connected to this group of people who can relate to my fears and anxieties...

Hi Everyone, I wondered where everyone went to - as I hadn't seen you post on the other board for some time. But now I know. Your HERE !!!

You might remember me as: Marilyn, Dick and Judy.. I don't actually have split personalities - but I do have a couple devices that I named. First of all - I'm Marilyn and Dick is the name of my ICD and Judy is the name of my St. Jude Mitral Valve.

I use to be a runner. No longer doing that anymore. I use to be a jogger - I'm not longer doing that anymore. I'm walking and thats on the good days. But I'm not complaining because it sure beats the alternative..

In 1992 I had a heart attack at age 37 right after having sex with my husband. I like to tell people I don't really have heart disease - I just have a good sex life.

1996 I developed AVNRT - which was 100% ablated.

Then in 2000 I started getting VT's while running. After about 6 mos of those - and two attempts to ablate - I had to have an ICD inplanted. Thus the name "Dick".. I have the famous Guidant 1861 Model ICD - Yes, the "recalled'' one - but I chose not to have it replaced last year. Sometime this year I will need to replace it as my battery is very low. I have found this ICD to be very user friendly. Only received several shocks in the past 5 years. Which wouldn't have happened at all had I not stopped taking my meds a few days prior to running in a road race. Of course running along side these two gorgeous hunks in the race and chatting up a storm to each other - may be why my heart rate rose so high and thus received 3 shocks - one after another. I would highly recommend that when or if you get your first shock do not just slow down and jog - No - you must sit down and don't move..

In 2003 - once again I had terrible shortness of breath and they discovered my mitral valve was severely regurgitating. In 2004 I needed to have surgery. My surgeon diagnosed my valve as having been diseased from rheumatic fever.

My surgeon decided a repair would not hold out and decided I needed to have a mechanical one. So I received a St. Jude mechanical valve and now I have to take Coumadin everyday - but I am able to home test myself weekly. I named my valve "Judy" short for St. Jude !!!

After my OHS for my MVR - once again I was having terrible shortness of breath on and off and upon my interrogation with my EP he discovered I was going into intermittent 'full heart block' right in his office. Therefore I think I'm paced 100% of the time in my ventricle. My atrial is paced approx 23% of the time.

During this past year I developed congestive heart failure - although I take Lasix and coreg and an ace inhibitor - I no longer have 'congested' - but just plain "Chronic Heart Failure".. My doctors told me to stop working - and now I'm getting more rest and feeling alittle more 'alive'. I'm no longer able to run or jog. They encourage me to 'walk' alot. Which I'm just starting to do on the days that I have the energy. The meds are helping me to breath better. But they make me very fatigued some days. I just had another echo done last week and my heart thankfully has not gotten any larger than my last echo - but its still enlarged. My CHF doc is happy that the meds are keeping it from enlarging anymore. I was hopeing it would shrink by taking the meds. But that hasn't happened yet. I breath well some days and not so well others.

I have a wonderful Husband (Bob) who loves to Fish and a daughter that graduated from college and married her college sweetheart and who joined the Army right after college. They had a beautiful wedding and now they live in Tennessee - but he got sent to Iraq last September. He was able to come home for two weeks the beginning of March and I think they had planned on starting their family. Sure enough at the end of March - first of April - my daughter took the home pregnancy test and it showed 'positive'!! I'm going to be a grammy. She sees her OB/GYN next week. I'm thrilled. She's my only child and thus my first grandchild. I'm very excited.

Thats it !!!! Oh, I'm quite a chatter. I can talk forever. Missed talking to you all and I'm glad I found you. Sometimes I'm alittle 'slow' - I swear its the drugs.

I want to thank Allen for once again sending me this link. Allen is the greatest - he gives me all kinds of good jokes. I love a good sense of humor. They say Laughter is the best medicine. I have to agree it helps alot to have a sense of humor. You might all remember - that I talk alot !!! See things haven't changed.

Best Wishes
Marilyn, Dick and Judy !!!!

Hi, my names Anne-Marie, but most of my friends call me ams for short. I was diagnosed with HCM when I was two years old, so I’ve got used to it now since I have grown up with it. I was told that I had to have an ICD implanted in the last week of October 2004 because I nearly fainted and two of my family members died from sudden cardiac death before I was born although none of my family have ever spoken to me about it, that was when I learnt what HCM was all about and what was actually wrong with my heart. My Nan and my uncle have also got HCM but no ICD, you can actually guess how I was feeling about having it implanted because all of you have been through it, i was pretty nervous and scared when it came to the day of having it done but luckily I have had no shocks since and I’m just about to take my GCSE’s.
Ams

I'm Dave. I have Atrial Flutter and I take Digoxin for it. I also have Brugada Syndrome for which I had a Medtronic Marquis VR ICD implanted in October 2004. I'm 18 and don't shave or get haircuts as often as I should. I also got a tattoo regarding my device shortly after I turned 18. I'm fairly sure my mom lurks these sites, so she'll get a kick out of me posting the picture here.

Here's me:


Here's my tattoo a couple hours after I got it. It's well healed and looks very nice now:

I am copying Melanie's (mkc050680) introduction here onto this thread so we'll be sure not to miss it. Melanie, should you care to include a picture, please email one to Don at dep9@sbcglobal.net . Biggest welcome to our family!

hi folks, i'm jo. i'm on this site because i am sheila p's partner, and came on site recently to update everyone on her current situation. thank you, everyone, for the fabulous and heart-warming welcome. i was encourage to have my own identity (i guess identity theft - even if it is your own partner - isn't so cool) so that people would know when i was talking to you all, and when sheila was...

i'd like to say what a wonderfully supportive site you have. keep up the great work. a site like this lets people know they are 'not the only one', and the connections made are so important - a family around the world...

i likely won't be on the site much, as i have an extremely busy life, but if ever the situation arises that sheila is away from her computer (for other than planned reasons - ie. camping/kayaking), i will be here to keep you apprised of the situation. thank you for allowing me to be part of your family.

Hello all: My name is dave oz (oz is short for a 9 letter armenian last name.) I am 50 years young, married for 15 yrs. and father to a 7year old girl child whirlwind. I am A public Works Worker at present, Previous life of Chef and cook, Pro ski bum and bicycle racer. I still ride like a fiend (at least in my mind) ski and teach indoor spin classes during the winter. And am in better condition than most 50 yr old thrill seeker has a right to expect.
In april 2002 I had a viral M.I. Prognosis great, no damage or lasting after affects. On 5-19-2006 while riding my bike I experianced chest pain, shortness of breath, and lack of power. I rode home took a shower and went to my daughters music recital. After About 40 min. of my wife's concerned questions I admited I did not feel so great and we went to the E.R. I was in V.T. (238bpm), had been for about 90 min and required external de-fib to slow down. after ALL the tests and no apparent causes found, I got a medtronic ICD unit installed and 9 days later had my first "THERAPY" wow. I will have my device interrogated in two days and hopefully get some answers to the zillion questions I have. We will talk more then. It's good to know I am not alone in my confused and frightened state!!!! Ilook forward to more interaction with you all!

Hello All!





Wow, so much has happened since November 2005 that I don't want this to drag out forever so I will highlight the best I can:

I am 46 year old male living in Central New York married to the most wonderful wife anyone could ask for as she is extremely understanding of all my health problems and aggravation I have caused her. I am diagnosed with NIDDM2 (oral med only, metformin, and lowering dosage as I loose weight). Had A-Fib in 2002 and was cardioverted and treated with medication. Suffered a cardiac arrest in November luckily in the ER with a 90% and 99% blockage. Stent for the 99% as the 90% had collateral supply and was distal.

Started cardiac rehab in Dec of 2005. My 2nd to last class they noticed runs of v-tach and sent me to the ER (courtesy of an ambulance). Was on BetapaceAF(sotalol hcl) and changed to Toprol XR and had my ICD placed in on Feb 2the 2006 after second stent for 90% blockage.

Just a few weeks ago while shopping for dinner, I got zapped. I was lightheaded and had that "a-fib" feeling and headed to the front of the store where they had a bench to sit but about 20 feet from the bench I got a therapy and then about 30 seconds after I sat down I rcv'd another therapy! Scared, yes! Felt very isolated and since wife was at work I was alone and didn't I leave my cell phone in my truck? FIGURES!

After 10 minutes I walked to my truck and called the Dr and he had me go to the ER where I was and found that I had no VT but A-Fib again....sheesh! Well at least I know why it went off but doesn't help with the anxiety. Changed me back to Sotalol HCL 80 mg twice a day again, took me off Toprol and I have a HM put on next week with a follow-up.

Thanks to Dave on the Zapper is how I found this site. Just need to do something about this anxiety I'm having: afraid to do anything for fear of another therapy. You all seem very supportive and hope to find some support and be able to one day offer some too.

Mark

hello, my names joe and i come from bolton england. had mi in 1984 at the age of 38. i was brought back to life by the doc using a defib. i was great then for 17yrs then started with short bursts of what i have since found out was vt. i was also getting angina when i walked. in sept 2002. i was taken to the hospital with a mild heart attack. while in hospital i went into vt and was main lined with amiodorone. i think you call it codorone, but im not sure.i was then taken to the catheter room. i was given two stents and an icd the week after. i was shock free for 3.5 years. i had a 10 hr run of vt in april 2006 which went away on its own, and then a few days later i was shoked for the first time. two days later i was shocked again and the doc lowered my therapy threshold. i have a left ventricle anyurism. i dont know if i've got any other heart problems, that no one has told me about. i am 60yrs old now i havn't had a shock for 6 weeks, but still have a funny feeling around my heart a couple of times a week. when i told the doc about them, he said they were probably short runs of tacchy. cant post a photo.(dont know how) i can walk for miles with no sob. i take amiodorone, warferin statin, metroprolol, asperin, and valsartan.

Hello everyone,

My name is Jeff. I live in Cambridge, Ontario and have had my ICD almost 1 year (july/15). I will be celebrating one year since my SCD episode in about a week. I am a lucky guy as our neighbour across the street caused a fire in his building peeling off paint from his soffits using a blow torch instead of a heat gun. The roof went up in flames....Lucky for me when I had my totally out of the blue episode at 11 that night the fire fighters were still on site to shock me back to life after m y partner yelled for them to come over. Was in a coma for 3 days, have no memory of the incident or part of that day and the next 2. Someone was looking out for me. The paramedics when they arrived would have found me gone. It happened all that quick. Never had any problems before, totally healthy, active before hand....but the doc says I had a weak heart. Guess because I was out for so long they sent me for a cat scan too - thought I might have brain damage from loss of oxygen -but did not thankfully. Weird how this just came on like this. Now running on 4 cylinders rather then 8 but making the most of the 4 I've got! It's good to find support with others dealing with the same health issues.

Cheers everyone!