Pacemakers?

Question

Are there any known bad experiences with a pacemaker that has a defibrilator?

Answer 1

There certainly are, suggest you google pacemaker failures. And/or internal defibrillator failures.

Answer 2

Search for Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD). That is the formal name of the device you are talking about. Pacemakers and ICDs are technically two different devices, but difference is small and most people don't know the term Defibrillator.

Yes, there are some bad experiences. For most people the problems are: ICDs and pacemakers make heart complications more likely to happen. Apparently their presence causes a minor amount of strain on the heart. Of course an ICD will correct almost all of those complications, so you are more likely to have a hard kick in the chest from the electricity. AND ALL PEOPLE with these devices have to go through two weeks of hell, while your muscles get use to having a heavy battery sit on top of the muscle. For the first couple months you aren't allowed to even use the arm attached to the shoulder the pacemaker is on.

In rare cases they do malfunction. ICDs have started delivering a stream of shocks to a person for no reason. A few of these cases resulted in death. In most cases people survive this. But the benefits of having one are far higher than the remote chance of a malfunction.

Other than that the only other problems I've heard about is the settings of the device don't always get set correctly and a few people get shocked while doing normal active activities. That amounts to a visit to the local pacemaker clinic to get it reset.

Obviously there are things to be careful about. My mother stood by those detection units at the front doors of most stores. The detectors check to see if anyone is trying to walk out with items that have been tagged with a magnetic based tag. Apparently the detectors interfered with my mother's ICD and the internal alarm on the unit went off. ICDs have a built in alarm on them. I have an ICD, the same model as mother, as well, and I've made it a point not to stand near the entrances of discount stores.

The funny stories (and the most asked question on all forums) are the ones about people having sex when a ICD shocks one of them. The shock is large enough that anyone touching the person gets to feel a tingle like if you have ever touched an electric fence with a long blade of grass.(For those who haven't, its not remotely harmful, and a bit fun) Some women have reported liking the feeling coming off of their male partner who has the ICD.

Answer 3

I cant say for others experience, but I have had one for almost 2 years, and it has made huge strides in helping my heart!! Nothing but good here!

Answer 4

I don't understand your question.
I think the answerer above me meant to say the same.

Answer 5

please i not anserstane.