Heart Problems Update

A LITTLE ABOUT ME: I AM 80 YR OLD MOM, GRANDMOTHER, GREAT
GRANDMOTHER; A BUSINESS AND PERSONAL CONSULTANT; STILL
ACTIVE; 5 MONTHS AGO HAD A DEFIBRILLATOR AND PACEMAKER
IMPLANTED. I HAVE A PhD IN PSYCHOLOGY, STILL PRACTICE.
AFTER ALL THIS, I WANT TO SAY TO YOU, WHAT IS GOING ON
WITH YOU IN YOUR EMOTIONS TO CAUSE THE BODY TO EMIT THIS
PAIN? I BELIEVE THE BODY FOLLOWS OUR SPIRITS, BECAUSE
WE ARE SPIRIT WITH A 'BODY' WRAPPED AROUND US. WHEN WE
LISTEN, WE CAN BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND IF WE ARE FEARFUL,
ANGRY, UNDER STRESS (WHICH IS SELF-INDUCED). THE BODY
FOLLOWS OUR SPIRIT (EMOTIONS) CAUSING DEGENERATION OF
THE BODY. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STYLE, YOUR BEHAVION. IT
IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THIS, AND WORK ON CHANGING
YOUR BEHAVIOR. A DEVICE OR PILL OF AND IN ITSELF, WILL
NOT 'FIX' IT. I AM SPEAKING FEOM MY EXPERIENCE. OCT 21st
2007, I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH HEART FAILFURE. THERE IS 4
VERY IMPORTANT 'HELPS' FOR US: EXERCISE, DIET, MEDITATION, AND COUNSELING TO GET INTO TOUCH WITH OUR
FEELINGS. I COULD WRITE MUCH MORE, A 'BOOK'. HOWEVER,
YOU ARE WELCOME TO CALL ME: ###-###-####;
E MAIL: ____@____.com. i do not know the tests
they have done or will do to best determine your need
for same. There is much help for you. Give me a call
and we can talk more about what i have found is available to sssist us toward 'health'. N. J Andrew, PhD

B.,

I do not have the defibrillator, but my husband does. From what his doctor told him, it will only shock you if your heart starts to beat irregularly....not quickly. He also said that the shock does not HURT, but you definitely know that it has happened. Hope this helps.

My dad who is 56 yrs old just had one installed in Nov., it has gone off once and it did knock him out but it is certainly better than the alternative. When it happened we were a long ways from the hospital so he was glad he had it. I know it doesn't go off during exercise, he goes to the gym 3 days a week. The doctor can set a range on it that is fairly large, for example my dads is set to go off if his heart rate gets above 180 bpm or below 40 bpm. He said having it implanted was no big deal he was a little sore for about a week and had some lifting restrictions for a few weeks with his arm on that side. Along with the ICD he has been put on some anti arrythmia meds. I am sure everything will go great and if you are really unsure you could always get a second oppinion.

My uncle age 56 has similiar problems. He had his first heart attack about 7 years ago and his second about 3 years after the first. The second heart attack he had the dr.'s called "the widowmaker". At that time they implanted a pacemaker/defibrillator. He was extremly scared and very nervous about this procedure. The good news is although it is painful if the defibrillator goes off it has saved his life 3 times!!! He was told that it will only go off if the heart beats in such a way that could enduce a third heart attack. When his went off the first time it was in the middle of the night and his wife was lying next to him and she actually felt the "jolt"!! And this gave her plenty of time to call 911 to get help. I know there are GREAT concerns with this device but the pros out weigh the cons GREATLY!! My uncle would not be here today if had not had this procedure done. It is now performed in a hospital usually on a outpatient basis. I hope my story can help put your mind to ease. My prayers are with you.

B.,
The first step is a second and possibly third opinion before invasive surgery. Finding the original cause of your heart problems is also a good place to start. I recommend Pilates training for your back and rotator cuff.
Please feel free to e-mail me if you are unsure of where to go for help.
Best,
D.

I have heard that if your heart stops or is not doing what its suppose to the device will shock the heart. Its the same as the ones they use to start your heart on the outside just miniature form. My dads neighbor told me about his. Good luck. I had double back fusion using donor bone last March. So far so good. Sucks getting old.

D. Proud Army Mom Richard Iraq 54yr 4 kids 9 grands

My dad (61 yrs) just had one put in in Sept. and it has been great for him. It was done on an outpatient basis and he was in and out in a matter of hours. It has shocked him 3 times while awake, and it makes him weak in the knees, but not enough to knock him over. He was holding a baby all 3 times and didn't drop the baby. (His Dr told him it could knock him to the ground) Dr. also said if he wakes up in the middle of the night, he won't know why, but probably b/c the defib. went off. If you wouldn't even know why you woke up, I would say the benefits outweigh the negatives--- the other option isn't that great! Good luck.