Definitely didn’t mean to leave anyone hanging! I am squeezing this post in between patients (someone came very very late and is not in a room yet, so I figure I have time).
(Even though my current quest is to stop ‘squeezing things in’, in general. Ahh well. We will conceptualize this as a quick break, as I haven’t taken one yet today!)
ANYWAY! I found out yesterday that my shock on Saturday was INAPPROPRIATE. Meaning: I likely DID NOT have an arrhythmia, but instead the device oversensed either T waves or muscle activity and misread it as arrhythmia and BAM.
I was under the impression this was pretty rare (OpenEvidence said 6% of S-ICDs give an inappropriate shock over 2 years of observation) but maybe I just got unlucky.
ON THE UP SIDE: I didn’t have an arrhythmia! Which does honestly make sense, because even though I didn’t know I was having my initial VT, I have felt even short ones I’ve had since then. (I’ve had a couple, but none long enough to trigger a shock.) It would have been so weird to be happily lifting weights without feeling any extra beats and then a shock with no warning or symptoms if it had been ‘appropriate’.
ON THE DOWN SIDE: NO ONE wants to get inappropriately shocked. Trust me. I will be headed into the clinic today for a ‘device adjustment’ so that hopefully it won’t happen again!
This also means that I should be able to go back to my gym routine. Which is a relief because I really was excited about this next phase of strength training!
Not going to lie though – this whole thing really messed up my weekend, and even my day yesterday until it got fully sorted out. Just so much uncertainty and me spiraling off in all different directions (as is my nature with these things, unfortunately). But today the sun rose and I felt much better. I even completed a (home) lower body workout without incident.
Let’s hope it was a ONE OFF and that they can adjust things so that it never ever goes off inappropriately again!
More later but just didn’t want to leave anyone wondering!
9 Comments
I am so relieved! I really really really hope you never experience a shock again. It sounds incredibly painful – and, well, shocking to have it come out of nowhere like that! And I can see how it really messed up your weekend and made you feel anxious/depressed about your ability to continue to do the things you love! I’m glad you can continue with your strength training focus!
Very thankful to hear this! It doesn’t take away the stress (and discomfort) of the weekend, but thankful it was not an arrhythmia and that you can continue strength training.
Great news!
That is good news, Sarah. I mean that you didn’t have arrhythmia, NOT that you got shocked inappropriately! I hope they can make adjustments that will prevent this from happening again.
Also, I chuckled about your quest to “not squeeze things in” anymore. You and me both, girl!
Phew! Still scary and frustrating, but definitely better news than the alternative.
I’m so glad you got this news and there is no more uncertainty. I can see how it threw so many things off for you—mentally and logistically.
I hope the device adjustment ensures this never happens again!!!
The best possible news-still so sorry and sad you got shocked, but I’m so glad you got a promising report and are planned for an ICD adjustment!
WHAT A RELIEF. Thank you so much for the update, I was thinking about you!
So glad to hear this!!!!! Here’s hoping that this is a one-time experience for you. Two thumbs down to inappropriate device behavior, but still thankful that this device exists to keep you safe.