Defibrillator

[Peter from Sch'dy]

It appears I am going to have an implanted defibrillator device installed in the near future. Anybody here have one and still ride?   

[ChuckH]

It appears I am going to have an implanted defibrilator device installed in the near future. Anybody here have one and still ride?   

Don't have one yet but I do have a heart condition and my Heart Guy sometimes hints at the possibility of my needing a pacemaker.  What's your heart condition and why does your doctor think the defibrillator is the way to go?

By the way, I still ride.

[ejs]

I on my second pacemaker. (first lasted 11years.)
Can feel when it takes control, but have been used to it. No worries.
Have been riding MC all the time. Latest been the slow California.
 :Beating_A_Dead_Hors e_by_liviu

[Peter from Sch'dy]

Don't have one yet but I do have a heart condition and my Heart Guy sometimes hints at the possibility of my needing a pacemaker.  What's your heart condition and why does your doctor think the defibrillator is the way to go?

By the way, I still ride.

hello chuck. Hello ejs. They tell me it's due to ventricular fibrillation which is apparently life threatening. Took an ambulance ride a couple days ago and they used the paddles on me. Quite an experience. So the implanted device is both a pacemaker and a defibrillator. What could possibly go wrong if I get a similar jolt while riding or driving or climbing a ladder...or being intimate. Doc says take 6 months off and see how it goes. As it's winter weather soon, this will be my plan but distressing to think my riding days may be over. Not ready for the rocking chair quite yet.    Best, Peter.

[wrbix]

Over the years I've had a number of patients with IAEDs (I'm not a Cardiologist) and they seemed to universally relate to me that they recognized when it fired but didn't incapacitate them. Not like the "kicked by a mule in the chest" experience of external paddles.
Certainly would suggest adjusting your activities until when you experience same and then judge from there. Sounds like your riding days are probably not over.

[Sheepdog]

My dad had one for eight years. He had them place it on the left side so he could still shoot skeet...

[Peter from Sch'dy]

Over the years I've had a number of patients with IAEDs (I'm not a Cardiologist) and they seemed to universally relate to me that they recognized when it fired but didn't incapacitate them. Not like the "kicked by a mule in the chest" experience of external paddles.
Certainly would suggest adjusting your activities until when you experience same and then judge from there. Sounds like your riding days are probably not over.

Thanks for relating this. My  EP doc just stopped by. Good guy but not a motorcyclist. He thinks the same approach is the way to go but it's good to hear it from a fellow rider. Thanks so much. Best, Peter
 

[trippah]

And I thought reaching puberty was tough!

[wrbix]

Thanks for relating this. My  EP doc just stopped by. Good guy but not a motorcyclist. He thinks the same approach is the way to go but it's good to here it from a fellow rider. Thanks so much. Best, Peter

Better living through electricity!   

[Henry]

I've had an ICD for 6 years, and I still ride. When my doctor gave me the OK to drive again, I took that as OK to ride also.
I only got shocked by it once, and that was soon after it was implanted, and I was at home. I would not want to be driving when that happens, but it did not totally disorient me.
The doctor should give you a list of activities you should avoid (such as operating a chain saw), and it will take some getting use to.
Best of luck to you!

[Tom]

IIRC being close to a microwave oven is a no no and you'll have to be "wanded" when you do fly-n-rides.

[oldbike54]

 One of our long time Guzzista had one implanted a few years back . He told us that he first couple of times it kicked in that it was unsettling , kind of like a low amperage shock , after the first couple of times he didn't notice the event much .

 Dusty

[Matt Story]

I've been through some cardio issues the last couple years.  My issue is also conductance.  Right branch block resulting in an extended QRS delay and irregular and accelerated beat (outside of norms).  Almost certainly a different problem.   After a raft of tests, the initial prescribed treatment was "to get a pacemaker installed and don't waste time getting it".  My primary doc was in agreement.  Why would a GP contradict a specialist?  I was skeptical.  Thankfully I had/have PPO insurance.  Went to another cardiologist of my choice for a second opinion.  He agreed.  I was ready to schedule the procedure with first doc, and by chance bumped into an aunt with professional insight (she worked at the same clinic as the first doc) that strongly recommended against that doc and recommended another team instead.  These docs ordered a final more thorough test for my symptoms.  That lead to the current diagnosis which prescribes to "Learn to live with the abnormalities, with no treatment or medication - at this time.  Exercise vigorously to the extent of my comfort and monitor symptoms.  Diagnosis and treatment subject to change"

The story is not over.  My point is not to avoid treatment.  My point is to go into your treatment with a healthy skepticism.  Require at least one second opinion and maybe with their own test procedures.  Had I not been skeptical and ran into my aunt when I did, today I would be taking a medication to suppress my natural heart rhythm, and have a pacemaker there to bring it back up to normal.  I'm only 47 and this seemed pretty radical.

I learned there were multiple pacemaker devices applicable to my condition and did my own research.  The differences I found were primarily in battery life and MRI compatibility.  I didn't have a need for a defibrillator, but there are combination pacemaker/defibrillator devices.  Depending on your case and your doctors input, that might be a good idea.  As of yet, I don't need to have a device installed, but the docs were in general support/approval of my selection had it been needed.

Matt

[Peter from Sch'dy]

Hello Matt. I'm 63 and had triple bypass 2 1\2 years ago and felt great until 2 months ago. Started having rapid pulse and saw my Cardiologist who put me on a recording\transmitting device for a month. Determined afib and put me on metoprolol which worked initially. He then recommended cardioversion, and ablasion if that didn't work. So last Wednesday I went to a friend's sons funeral (heroin od) and got another round of tachycardia with 230 bpm. Went home and called ems 2 hr later as symptoms persisted. Ambulance crew got there in a couple minutes and couldn't find pulse or blood pressure. Loaded me into ambulance and called doc at local hospital to consult. As I was right next to the tech I heard the conversation. Doc said "give him 100 jewels quick before he can protest" and I then heard the beeb3 times and got the mule kick. This brought my heart back into normal rhythm and they brought me in. Got admitted and 2days later, this past Friday, did the catheterization and determined my cardiac arteries are fine. Tomorrow they do another catheterization to see if they can determine the short circuit and repair. Perhaps install defibrillator of needs and or there is time. Hoping to be outa here by Thursday. Best, Peter