Living with your ICD -- The "therapy"

http://icdusergroup.org/ In this clip, the patient asks the doctor what he should expect to feel in the event of a shock to the heart.

The doctor's response is a long spiel on how each "therapy" is different (he never calls it shock, even though that's what it is), how it depends on your personal perception, and how the device is intelligent enought.

"This is a common concern among new ICD patients. The fact is, each therapy is different. Depending on how your own heart is behaving and your personal perception. Remember, this is an intelligent device that your doctor can set to deliver the smallest amount of energy you need to regain control of your normal heart rhythm."

Here's a description of how it feels from somebody who knows.
"If the devil had a mechanical bull which shot electrical bolts out of its devil bull horns, and this bull ran full tilt down a steep hill and gored you in the chest, then you'd know how this $#!T felt!!! Im sorry that some of you can identify with this."

Read the real description here:
http://www.icdsupportgroup.org/board/viewtopic.php?p=26869#p26869

And watch the overoptimistic, candy-coated, it-makes-me-sick version below.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• shock to the heart
• implantable defibrillator