[Maru]

Originally Posted by Oliver_W

Basically there's very little I can do, apart from having the batteries in the ICD changed every 5-8 years! Nothing I do will make it more or less likely to happen, so I have to plod on through life hoping for the best, and not do any strenuous activity which could dislodge it, and not get too close to any magnets which could affect it.

I don't know what to say, having to tell him that, at that age, must have been pretty tough :/

(If you don't know, an ICD is an implantable cardiac defibrillator, aka an internal version of those things doctors shock patients with when they say "one, two, three, CLEAR!")

Yikes. Yeah my mother has a battery over her heart for Dystonia and it has to be replaced about the same length of time. It had to be pulled the first time due to infection, but she's been doing well since it's been put back in. It's hooked into a wire that runs to her brain and they've put in a piece of metal that sends shocks on a regular basis. It's performed miracles for her symptoms.


Aside from typical preventative (dietary, etc), I wouldn't be surprised if stress management becomes a big thing in the next 10 years or so with regards to even physical health. It was central to controlling my chronic pain, and I wouldn't be surprised if there weren't effects on the heart as well... it sounds like you've got a good grip on your situation.

Though I know a lot of people who avoid going to the doctor because of the fear of finding something wrong... especially the heart doctor, that seems to be one scary one that people are especially keen on dodging... but you know, it could seriously change your life for the better, to take control of the situation and to take control of your health... actually does make a difference in perspective when living your life, because your decisions now have more impact. Rather than sitting around and waiting for the "inevitable" to happen... as so many seem to do when it comes to their physical health.