my daughter has an ICD. After sudden cardiac death in 04, it has fired 16 times to prevent her heart from stopping again. Without it, she would not be here.

It is like a safeguard. It also records all heart activity that her doctor can download to see exactly what is going on.

It is a great device.

I am on my fourth ICD/PACER, I also say it`s one of the best inventions ever. My ICD has give me the chance to watch my son grow up. 11 years of a secound chance.
I would love to hear from others with ICD`s or HCM ( Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy )

Have had my ICD since JUL 05. Frm then until FEB 06 was in the Hospital each month following a "hit". Feb 06 it went off 20 times in an hour. After a 15 day stay in the Hosp. they decided it was an electrolyte imbalance. Since then no "hits" no Hosp visits. Still am not able to walk for any distance. AND I keep reliving that night in FEB. Whew!

Ben If I may ask a question ? With your 20 shocks Were they high energy shocks ? And were they all warrented ?
I have only been shocked a few times but each time was 35 J`s. My ICD/PACER is only programed for high energy discharge and braydicardia pacing. With the type of disease I have They do not use overpacing or low energy shocks.
I hope you are doing better now. I look at it this way, Yes shocks hurt but they are fast. What a small price to pay for life. Most people with ICd`s do not ever have experince`s like what you have gone through.

My husband Sean has an ICD. He had a history of going into A-phib. In Feb.05 he was in A-phib and went to the local hospital to get cardio verted. The doctor was getting ready to cardio vert when he went into a 8 sec. run of V-tach. They sent him to a bigger hospital in the next county. To a heart specialist. The sepcialist told him that he wouldnt release him from the hospital till he got an ICD.He said that it probally would never fire it was just an insurance policy he said that it wouldnt shock for anything but v-tach. So he agreed. Within the first month of having it he was shocked 5 times(35 J's each time) which none of the shocks were apropriate shocks it was ready his t-wave as an extra heartbeat So they did an lead revision and turned the count up. All together he has been shocked about 10 times none have been for v-tach most have been been for a-phib. I have only seen it once and it was enough for me because I was sitting about 10 feet away from him and I heard it when it charged and fired and I seen it knock him off his feet. he belongs to an ICD suport group on line. it has helped him cope they answer each others questions and lend suport. they have really have become a family. if you would like the web site you can send me a message and i will give it to you. he said if he can help in any way just message us. he knows a whole lot about it.

I don't know about anyone else out there, but I'm in a love/hate relationship with my ICD implant. I'm on my three device in three years and have been shocked 10 time. I am only 38 years old and I feel so alone. No one understands how I feel and I'm ready to give up!