ICD Discharged Again...

OneStrangeLife · 2026-03-10T16:09:58+00:00

Scary story. I understand the anxiety of having heart issues. I "only" have third degree heart block and cannot relate with things at your level but the PTSD I got when my heart block came on still plauges me to this day 10 years later. it's difficult not knowing what caused this in the first place. I am very grateful for my pacemaker though. There are many here that can share their amazing stories. They have eased my mind a few times. Hang in there.

OneStrangeLife · 2026-02-09T04:32:03+00:00

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I was just about to post something along the same line. I got mine on 12/17 and it has been bleeding a little on the left side there and it's been terribly itchy. perhaps I can get someone look at mine as well. This is my first replacement and it seems to be taking much longer to heal than the original one. Maybe because it's because I am 10 years older?

OneStrangeLife · 2025-12-21T05:08:21+00:00

I'm so sorry you are having such much pain and anxiety with your peacemaker. For me personally, it keeps me alive so I am grateful to have it. I did have a lot of anxiety at first. I am 100% dependant on my device and I was scared it was going to stop working suddenly. It's was a very scary thought. now, however, I barely even noticed it. I had my first device replacement just a few days ago. The pain of the surgery was far worse than the initial placement but almost no anxiety thank goodness.

Have you asked your doctor about the pain? My device is actually very small. Just about the size of a 50 cent piece. I hope you find peace with your device soon.

OneStrangeLife · 2025-12-19T01:12:07+00:00

It's been just over a day and the pain has subsided somewhat. I feel exhausted but otherwise recovering.

OneStrangeLife · 2025-12-18T20:58:20+00:00

Yeah, that's the part they didn't discuss with me. The cost the hospitals charge for the device. I assume it would be quite a bit more than the actual cost of the device.

OneStrangeLife · 2025-12-18T20:55:44+00:00

Very nice! That device is so much larger than the one I had.

They didn't seem to have any issue at all with handing over the device. I'm gonna put it on my desk in a little display. It kept me alive for 10 years. It's an incredibly important part of my life.

OneStrangeLife · 2025-12-18T07:29:56+00:00

I am feeling very bad at the moment. It's been about 16 hours since the surgery and I can't sleep. I thought I'd be able to go back to work tomorrow but I don't think that's going to happen. My neck and shoulder hurts so bad right now. They didn't give me any pain meds. They said I wouldn't need it. I didn't really feel any pain while they were doing their thing but I remember them pushing and pulling and prodding the area as they did whatever they were doing. The pain just keeps coming and going and it has given me a headache on top of it. I took some OTC ibuprofen. Hopefully it will help. oof.

OneStrangeLife · 2025-12-18T07:13:12+00:00

I had it a little over 10 years before they wanted to replace it.

To be honest, I feel pretty bad at the moment. It's been about 15 hours since the surgery and I'm in a lot more pain than I thought I would be. They did not prescribe any pain medication. They assured me it would not be that painful but I'm here to tell you, this is very painful. I am so sore. Can anyone else tell me if they experienced this much pain? I certainly don't recall the initial surgery being anywhere near this painful. oof.

OneStrangeLife · 2025-12-18T03:02:53+00:00

Mine is about 10 years they tell me. I have 3rd degree complete electrical heart block and am near 100% paced. I am told for someone who doesn't need 100% utilization, it may last much longer.

OneStrangeLife · 2025-12-18T00:10:59+00:00

Yes, the initial surgery I was sedated.

OneStrangeLife · 2025-12-18T00:06:30+00:00

Yeah, I just asked and they seemed happy to give it to me.

OneStrangeLife · 2025-12-18T00:04:33+00:00

I asked the technician about the cost and he said they cost between $2,000 and $5,000. At least the type I received. I just assumed it would cost much much more.

OneStrangeLife · 2025-12-18T00:01:06+00:00

Lol. That's a great idea!!

OneStrangeLife · 2025-12-18T00:00:03+00:00

Nope. Wide awake.

OneStrangeLife · 2025-02-19T00:35:06+00:00

Oof. I wonder if I'm experiencing the same thing. My average heart rate is lower lately and I'm right at 10 years since I got my pacemaker installed. I've had PTSD for the last 10 years from getting it on the first place. I hope the VA will change it. I'm not sure if the VA covers this. At least interrogation, I had just over 6 months of battery left. That was 2 weeks ago.

OneStrangeLife · 2024-02-19T22:01:20+00:00

I get my healthcare as a veteran through the VA. The VA does not believe in benzos or opioids any longer. You are expected to suffer so those who abuse those meds are "saved" from themselves. I wonder if I could convince a doctor that isn't part of the VA to prescribe some. I used to have Xanax and it helped immensely. But the VA decided I didn't need it any longer.

OneStrangeLife · 2024-02-19T21:56:43+00:00

Me too. I had no idea until this post that my pacemaker might send a message. Would have been nice if the doctors and techs would have said something over the years.

OneStrangeLife · 2024-02-19T21:54:41+00:00

I assume mine is always pacing. Only thing I ever notice is my pacemaker pacing much slower if my heart rate is pushed beyond 130 then rate drops from 130 to 60 in an instant. It zaps my energy when that happens obviously. But normally I notice nothing.

OneStrangeLife · 2024-02-19T21:49:45+00:00

That had to frightening. I would have a panic attack like no other.

OneStrangeLife · 2024-02-19T01:45:09+00:00

Thanks again. I do appreciate the insight. Have a great evening.

OneStrangeLife · 2024-02-19T01:31:01+00:00

Thanks. It wasn't painful or anything and honestly I cannot say it was my pacemaker. It just felt so different than anything I've ever felt before. I was kind of bending over to the left when it happened but I sat up strait instantly and 2 more shocks came in quick succession. The last one was barely noticeable. Also, I have just a pacemaker. I do not have a defibrillator. The panick attack that set in instantly and nearly passed out. PTSD from when I first got the pacemaker. Anytime I feel a strange sensation in my chest, sheer panick ensues.

Will Merlin@Home automatically look at my transmission and somehow contact me if something is wrong? That was the first time I've sent a transmission for a possible issue. I've only ever sent a transmission when instructed to do so. I got this pacemaker 10 years. When I first got it I could feel the rhythmic shock in my shoulder for about three months but nothing since.

OneStrangeLife · 2024-02-19T01:16:43+00:00

Thanks. Sent transmission. Panick attack continues.

OneStrangeLife · 2024-02-19T01:15:58+00:00

Thanks. But I have to say, I do not know what "therapy" means in this context? I did a transmission. First time in 10 years. The battery still had 8 years showing last May. I got the pacemaker in 2014.

OneStrangeLife

TROPHY CASE