I opted to go with an ICD after declining a transplant. Mine not only provides me with defibrillation, but also cardioversion and pacing functions.

Actually either a bi-ventricular ICD, or a CRT-D, which is essentially the same thing, might prove beneficial to you. I've chatted with many people whose quality of life improved with use of these devices. They synchronize both ventricles and improve EF in many cases.

In combination with the right treatment plan for me, my quality of life is improved from whatever it would be without the device. Would I encourage you to get one? No. Just make sure you understand all the capabilities before making a final decision.

I have had heart problems since 03. I had the defib I had a couple of implants that aided the doctors to monitor me from a distance. I did what ever they asked and did it obediantly. My motivation was not for myself my motivation was my family. When push came to shove I had a transplant. My defib never went off. But my thinking is this. It would be selfish of me not to do everything possible to extend my life. My life may not matter so much to me as it does to my family. Had transplant in feb.07 and going strong. Just got home from playing golf.

My husband has had an ICD for 5 years. Just 3 months ago it was replaced from a 2 lead one to 3 leads and now he also has a pacemaker. The doctors were really optimistic that this would help his heart and improve his quality of life. So far...it hasn't done either. He's not doing well. I think he's depressed and he wants his doctors to shut it off. He's talked to them about it and they told him he needs to make sure that's what he wants and he should think about it because he could die. I feel for him I really do, but I'm not ready to let him go. He's only 32 and we have 3 children ages 8, 5, and 4 that really need their daddy. My 8 year old asks me all the time "Is daddy going to die?" and I don't know what to tell her.

It hasn't helped my husband, but have heard that it does help many people. Just make sure you do a lot of research and know all the facts before you make a decision either way.

I have cardiomyopathy and chose to have the implant for my family. It does not make me feel any better but it gives me a peace of mind. Fifteen years ago it saved my life and I had the chance to watch my son grow up. I agree with Robopop do your research the newer devices can do a lot of different things, Plus its nice to know my heart is always being monitored.

I have cardiomyopathy. I have an icd and bi-ventricular pacer. My mother does too. The icd gives us security since those with this condition are at risk for sudden cardiac death. the pacer has GREATLY improved my quality of life. I have had mine for almost 5 years now and will soon need a replacement because my battery is getting low. When I first was diagnosed, I didn't even think I would be here in 5 years. Now, I am living my life at a slower pace, but without hesitation about the future.
On the other hand, my brother had a MI with bipass surgery and all. He has refused the devise because he works around machinery and works on cars. His choice.

Thanks for your comments.... I will investigate it further, but I believe that the drs. never spoke to me about any benefits because my holters are clean .. so far not a single sign or arrhythmias. The problem is that ecos and MRI show large regions of myocardium akinetics (scars) and they afraid of electrical problems that might happen with sudden death consequence.

In terms of accepting a defibrillator, I am willing to accept any assistance that is available to me. To my way of thinking, the device will help me if I am at the risk of sudden cardiac arrest and my quality of life will be improved without the worry of having heart issues along with my lung problems..

I saw my cardiologist yesterday, because my EF dropped from 45% to 15%. He will consult with the ICD specialist to see if the defibrillator is what is indicated for me. He also told me that there ia a device called the LifeVest that does the same thing that the ICD does without a surgical procedure..

Does anyone have experience with the LifeVest?

He did say that he wants to try coreg for a month, repeat the echo and see if the EF improves.

HI
april 07 - total heart failure. no chance for anything. EF = 10

april 08 - told (similar as you) no longer any chance for any improvement - and that I needed a defibrollator inplanted immediately, because I could die any minute. I refused. They threw me out of that hospital. EF = 30.

I refused for many reasons.
1. they were unable to answer a simple answer without getting all upset with me - so I did not trust them with a defibrollator.
2. I knew I was fine.
3. I knew I was imporving every day.

april 2009 reached EF = 40 but was back in heart failure again for the 3rd time. still improving.

april 2010 reached EF = 45 - but back in heart failure again - very slight this time. Have been doing 40 minutes of cardio 4x per week for the past year - and it is helping me a lot.

To date - not one doctor has told me that I have any chance to survive any longer. Originally it took the doctors a full year before they told me that I could die any minute.

Hang in there.

Raoulby,
Thanks for your feed back, and congratulations for your good EF improvement!!

Probably with a 45% you are not any longer candidate for a defibrillator.

Yes, cardio exercise is good and makes you feel much better ... if you have the stamina to do it ... some days I am too tired to do anything else than to lay down.

The other best thing that, I thinks, keeps me away from ER, is to totally stop adding salt to foods.

Well, my husband recieved his device 5 years ago and had it replaced in Feb. Today he had it shut off completely. The pacemaker and the defibulator. Since he's gotten the new one he's not been well. Worse than usual that is. He spends most days in bed and only gets out of the house about once a month if that. I'm scared to death, but he's confident that this was a good decision.

Jennidowner,
Many thanks for your contribution, I hope everything will go well with your husband!!

Hi jrueda,
I had a heart attack that was silent. Fortunately my wife took me in to the ER. I have CHF, originally an EF of 15. After a CABGx3 I had a defibrillator implanted. Now, after 8 years I have had 2 incidents where the ICD has fired. I am alive because of it and my wife and children are very glad of it.
I feel very confident that I have a much better chance to be around for them because of it.

Hey

A few additional comments:

I see you are aware of the sodium - I agree - it is terribly important. My cardiologist thinks I am at 3000 mg of sodium daily - insane. If I take more than about 500 to 600 mg in a day - I gain all sorts of weight. And we all know that is very bad.

SO how do I do it - since just about everything in the damned world is totally loaded with sodium.

My wife and I went thru every food in the house again and again and checked their sodium content. Every time I fall back into heart failure we work on it again.

We have located tons of foods besides the fresh fruits and veggies that cardiology keeps recommending. I HATE VEGGIES - If I have to eat them - just kill me.

There are now canned veggies with no added salt - and they actually have very low sodium levels per serving.

We have found no sodium added spaghetti gravy - Renaldi has one - it is not the normal taste, but with some no salt spices it can be made really good.

Also some of the big chains have very low sodium pizza. Hard to find = but worth it. .. Normal pizza has 1000 mg pe slice. At Wegmans they have a Wegamn's pizza which has only 190 mg for 1/3 of the pizza - alright it is only about a 14 inch pizza. What a life saver.

Wegamans also has a no salt added swiss cheese. It still has about 60 mg sodium per slice. Cheese is a real problem. Most cheeses have at least 280 mg sodium oer slice.

There are prepared hambergers that have as little as 70 mg per burger. Careful with the ketchup.

Bread is the most difficult. Most breads have about 280 mg per slice. Therea re a number of lower sodium breads in the 12 grain group - that are as low as 115 mg per slice. Still high. But you also can only use one slice - rather than two per sandwich.

You can also go to OUtback restaurants - YES - if you ask for the Manager on duty, they will be willing to prepare for you foods that have "no seasonings" . Also do not use any salad dressings or cheeses. We actually went out to eat a month ago -the first time in more than 3 years. Steak - I was in my glory.

I almost cried when they brought it to the table.

Hugs, Raoulby

Hi Raoulby,
You can see some of my ideas about low sodium intake in the thread "Low sodium recipes".

Shell we start a new thread on "Tricks to keep away of ER" ... this can include tricks on low sodium, low liquids intake, resting periods ... dressing habits... ??

roulby...there is a no salt added ketchup...now a base i use for bbq sauce...also saltwatcher.com has a low sodium cheddar cheese they sell online..it actually used to be in my local markets but the company stopped selling it in my area..
my son (starting culinary college in sept) has introduced me to spices spices spices...and all kinds of new veggies and fruits for flavoring...im not a veggie fan either..but now do more than just the corn and peas route..ha...!
as far as bread..my husband bought me a bread machine and i use it a LOT!...good recipes in dick logue's 500 low sodium recipes..i use it more for the baking than the regular recipes... then i use the italian seasoned bread to use as a 'pizza crust' with that sauce yu mentioned and low sodium cheese...im almost to a pizza!!!
i love to hear new ideas on food, especially easy ones as fatigue plays a huge role in my life..
keep on keeping on!!!
marie