Livewires Northern Ireland Patient Support Group

Patient stories

Patient stories

MY EXPERIENCE
by Errol Hutchinson (Chairman Livewires Group)

As you know we are always looking for someone to interview at our Regional Meetings who can tell us about their experience with their ICD. Well I am afraid to tell you that I have now got firsthand experience!

At 01.15 on Monday 8th November my device gave me a shock just as I was about to get over to sleep. I can confirm the following to you (if you have never had the experience):

The shock was a bit like touching an electric wire when you shouldn't (if you have ever done that!) - it was not painful and it lasted what seemed like a second.

I felt completely well immediately afterwards- sat up and talked to my wife Sylvia who said she felt me 'move in the bed'. Those of you who know me will know that, in such circumstances I do call on my strength of 'faith' and amazingly, was able to get back to sleep until the morning.

I went to RVH on Tuesday afternoon - they did the check-up and confirmed that it was an 'appropriate' shock and explained the medical background - my heart rate had increased very rapidly in a short space of time and the device recognised this to be needing correction.

Since then I have felt very well - the device probably saved my life - my Consultant says it could be another 3 years before it happens again or it could be 3 weeks - we just don't know! But I should carry on with my life as normal.

The biggest blow - no driving for 6 months!!! - thank God Sylvia works only part-time. Ironically I had just applied for a new licence since it expired on 8th November and I was so pleased that the Doctor had been able to give me a clean bill of health. However, I had to contact the DVLNI to tell them about my incident and they very promptly told me I could not drive for 6 months and I should re-apply around 5 months later - roll on 8th May!

I hope that this little incident will encourage you.

NEW FOR OLD
by Elizabeth Hayes (Anne)

My name is Anne Hayes and I am 60 years old. After years of heart trouble, including heart attacks and angina, I was fitted with my first ICD in 1999. Two years ago my heart started to race so much I actually thought it was going to pop out. I was prescribed amiodorone which stopped the heart racing and then went along for my routine check up for my ICD. However my routine check turned out not to be so routine after all as Dr Roberts informed me that I actually needed the ICD replaced. So I was admitted to the Royal Victoria Hospital at 8.00 a.m. one morning, a new device was fitted and I was home again for 11.30 a.m. the next day - No pain and no discomfort!

I must add that by nature I am a very nervous person, and I cannot cope with the idea of any surgery or procedure but I would reassure anyone that having an ICD inserted is nothing to worry about and I have no fears about any further check ups or replacements.

MY FIRST EPISODE
by Eithne Gallagher

After having had my ICD for almost four years I experienced and episode or "discharge". I had been under some stress for a time and on that particular morning felt quite unwell. I eventually decided to sit down and rest. Without any further warning the ICD did what it was there for. I felt an almighty thump in my chest, which jerked my head back and within seconds another thump. I didn't panic as I had been forewarned by the RVH staff what to expect. After resting a few minutes I telephoned Ward 5 in the hospital and was admitted immediately. Blood tests carried out showed that I was low in potassium so now I eat more bananas and either boil or roast potatoes in their jackets

THE GUIDANT EXPERIENCE
by Errol Hutchinson

Read story (.pdf)

Patient stories links

Medtronic - Patient Stories

Guidant - Patient Success Stories

St Jude Medical - Video - Patient story