Wellness

[chiclets]

The ICM is the size of a AAA battery and is implanted to record ECG. Was wondering if anyone has had this procedure done or considered it. It is an insertable cardiac monitor and last for about 3 years.

[x Hedge]

HAS ANYONE HAD A ICM IMPLANTED?

@chiclets,  Yes. Since October 2015.

I ignore it.

[151949]

Never heard of this before but I've been retired 10 years now. Interesting. Does it have a defibralator too or just a monitor? Can the doctor read it externally? remotely, like over the phone?

[Poodlepet2]

@chiclets, I have a Medtronic loop recorder implant and I love it! I was in active A-fib the last time I went to the hospital. They did treat me as an emergency, but the Rep for Medtronic arrived immediately and was able to pinpoint when it began.

My doctor's concern is that I could have asymptomatic A-fib at some point. No problem! I am monitored 24/7, and should that happen, I will get a call.

You do get two devices in addition. I have a portable monitor about the size of a flip phone. It goes where I go-other than water. If I feel any arrhythmias, I mark it. Needless to say, if it doesn't go away or I feel "off" I would go to the hospital. 

I have another recording device at my bedside that transmits my information once a day around midnight. It won't transmit unless I'm near it, but when I do go to bed, it will transmit.

There are no buttons to push or anything like that. 

I have a normal life. I am thin and you can see it under my skin when I wear a plunging neckline, but it's more noticeable to me than anybody else.

You do have to let radiological facilities know if you have one. No biggie: it's MRI and CT compatible.

You get a card for airport and diagnostic facility use.

Implantation was nothing. Insurance dictates that it has to be done in a hospital and all that it entails, but I was given a local. The insertion took all of a minute-it hurt for about that-I had steri-strips, and I went home.

It was funny, because DH and kids wanted to be there for me and DD volunteered to stay home and take care of me.....I should have milked that a little! 

I went home....and did everything I normally do.  There was a little itchiness a few days later.

I love it. Instead of Dr. Cardiologist and I playing finger tapping rhythms games to guess what I might have been experiencing, he can see it! And treat it!

It also cuts down of office visits-no need!

I would tell you to go for it because the guessing games are over....and yes, it can save your life.

Poodlepet2

[hckynut]

@chiclets

If you have A-fib I cannot see any reason why you would not have this implanted. @Poodlepet2 explained how much this has helped her, and me personally? If I had A-fib I wouldn't give getting one implanted a second thought. For me it would be on my ASAP list.

hckynut(john)

[Poodlepet2]

Just to add to what I said, if your doctor gave you information to read, it might scare you to death....no microwaves, induction, computers, tablets, cell phones, tens units etc....it sounds very limiting, doesn't it? 

Of course, I clarified all of these things with my doctor. You should too-but the reality is, you can use all of those things.

In spite of checking it out for themselves-as they should, the radiologist was convinced it would wipe out the data.

It didn't-and I confirmed that with my cardiologists office. He has one employee whose sole purpose is to check everyday that nothing is going on and that data is being received. It is not her job to interpret it however.

Poodlepet2

[x Hedge]

@chiclets, unlike previous post, I don't have A-fib.
These devices are implanted for multiple reasons.
In my case, I was given medication that created a negative impact on my rhythm by temporarily screwing up my electrolytes.

My ICM was actually inserted as a convenience to both myself and the doctor. The choice was between an ICM which can stay in place for years, or a Holter monitor, which would've required a return trip in a few days, and at least a few repeat monitors. I opted for the ICM as a way to AVOID any more contact with Docs than necessary.
I don't have to run to the cardiologist's office. Instead, they call me once a month to tell me they have nothing to tell me.

I absolutely hated my ICM for more than a year. The site was slightly raised, constantly itchy, always sore, and very irritated. After all, this is a foreign object lodged in your chest tissue. Just contact with clothing caused irritation that was more than skin deep, and I'd have to keep a large puffy bandage over it, which was also an irritation, but less so.
That irritation finally settled down, and now I can just ignore it.

Unlike the flip-phone sized assist, mine is smaller, and carried like a key fob. I've never used it and doubt I ever will. I don't carry it around with me. If I ever experienced an alarming irregularity in my heartbeat and remain conscious, I will be reaching for the phone to dial 911, not thinking about that key fob thing.

@chiclets, talk to your doctor. Your answers aren't here. This isn't a general 'everybody' medical subject. For me, this was only the quickest easiest option. For someone else, who may be having an asymptomatic arrhythmia, it may be a lifesaving necessity.

[chiclets]

Thank you all for replying to my question.

I did have the ICM implanted.

I read about the device in April after speaking with my cardiologist. I watched the videos, went to the product page information, and then spoke to two other doctors concerning the implant. I then contacted my insurance company.

When I posted my question I had already decided to have the implant and was waiting for the date for it to be done. It was done on Wednesday the tenth of May.

It was comforting to learn your experiences. I felt less anxious about going ahead with the implant.

Thank you for sharing your experiences with me and for the advice.

So, I am now battery operated.

[Poodlepet2]

Congratulations! Did you find the actual procedure as easy as I described it?

About three years ago, I had a Holter for 30 days: they have improved, and I changed the electrodes myself, but I had so many things to think about with it: this is so much easier!

Poodlepet2