Guest guest Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012  Hi, Yes the procedure is difficult. It is really a big deal. It can take anywhere from 3 to 6 hours and that is a long time to be on the table! My procedure took 3 hours. I had it Monday and I am still in a lot of pain and not feeling well at all. I had a lead replaced in 2008 and they left the bad lead in and added another. This time there was no choice but to have them extracted. I am 69 and I don't bounce back like I used to. Sydney How does St. Jude compare to Metronics ICD -I just spent $300 having a replacement ICD implanted on 24 Fenb2012. The prior one lastsix years and one day. Hope the same for this one. Doc put in a St.Jude ICD. This one is a lot deeper so recovery been on the painfulside. This unit vibrates . My hearing is so bad I could hear thealert for low battery on the prior Metronic ICD.Ten days out I doing very good. No pain and most the Super Glue theyused to close me up is dropping off. Only thing I noticed when one issix years apart between procedures, you can feel the impact that agehas on you. I am 68 now., I wonder how replacement at 74 will impactme. Bet I will be downloading a lot more movies on Netflix to passthe time during recovery.--Craig man, P.E.craig.peterman@...Home 210.521.1291-- Craig man, P.E.craig.peterman@...Home 210.521.1291 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 I sure hope and pray each day is a little better! Where are you located Sydney? My EP on Houston wants to remove. Be removed about 1000 last Yr and even teaches it but I am so afraid. I don't mind replacement at all, afraid of tearing heart etc etc. I may call the doc in NY thar put it in for his opinion. I think a lot depends on how it was put in to begin with...Judi McIntosh, President/CEOSwimsational Swim School, LLCwww.swimsational.netOn Mar 8, 2012, at 6:35 AM, "Sydney" <konkontu2011@...> wrote:  Hi, Yes the procedure is difficult. It is really a big deal. It can take anywhere from 3 to 6 hours and that is a long time to be on the table! My procedure took 3 hours. I had it Monday and I am still in a lot of pain and not feeling well at all. I had a lead replaced in 2008 and they left the bad lead in and added another. This time there was no choice but to have them extracted. I am 69 and I don't bounce back like I used to. Sydney How does St. Jude compare to Metronics ICD -I just spent $300 having a replacement ICD implanted on 24 Fenb2012. The prior one lastsix years and one day. Hope the same for this one. Doc put in a St.Jude ICD. This one is a lot deeper so recovery been on the painfulside. This unit vibrates . My hearing is so bad I could hear thealert for low battery on the prior Metronic ICD.Ten days out I doing very good. No pain and most the Super Glue theyused to close me up is dropping off. Only thing I noticed when one issix years apart between procedures, you can feel the impact that agehas on you. I am 68 now., I wonder how replacement at 74 will impactme. Bet I will be downloading a lot more movies on Netflix to passthe time during recovery.--Craig man, P.E.craig.peterman@...Home 210.521.1291-- Craig man, P.E.craig.peterman@...Home 210.521.1291 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 Judy, make sure the doctor is telling you the truth on how many extractions he's done. There were 260 week days in 2011 and, assuming he doesn't work weekends, he had to remove almost 4 leads/day to add up to 1,000 extractions. Assuming these procedures take 3-6 hours—as mentioned before—he'd have to work a minimum of 12 hours day, every day of the week, all year. No consultations, no clinic, no device interrogations, no time for talking with patients, no time for anything else. That's HARDLY believable. Hugo > > > >> > >> Hi, > >> I am recovering from having a lead extraction and the implantation of a new Medtronic device. It was quite a procedure. Luckily the surgeon I had is one of the best in the US and probably the world. > >> > >> It does get harder for your body to recover as you age. I hope I don't have to go through this again for a long while. > >> > >> Sydney > >> > >> How does St. Jude compare to Metronics ICD > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> -I just spent $300 having a replacement ICD implanted on 24 Fenb > >> 2012. The prior one last > >> six years and one day. Hope the same for this one. Doc put in a St. > >> Jude ICD. This one is a lot deeper so recovery been on the painful > >> side. This unit vibrates . My hearing is so bad I could hear the > >> alert for low battery on the prior Metronic ICD. > >> > >> Ten days out I doing very good. No pain and most the Super Glue they > >> used to close me up is dropping off. Only thing I noticed when one is > >> six years apart between procedures, you can feel the impact that age > >> has on you. I am 68 now., I wonder how replacement at 74 will impact > >> me. Bet I will be downloading a lot more movies on Netflix to pass > >> the time during recovery. > >> > >> -- > >> Craig man, P.E. > >> craig.peterman@... > >> Home 210.521.1291 > >> > >> -- > >> Craig man, P.E. > >> craig.peterman@... > >> Home 210.521.1291 > >> > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 1000? I would double check that... I have been asking about lead extraction too. About 1 in 100 patients need to be "opened" because of complications --- Make sure you have a thoracic surgeon by your side as well as the EP! Good luck and keep asking questions! ~guin On 3/8/2012 8:03 AM, McIntosh wrote:  I sure hope and pray each day is a little better!  Where are you located Sydney?  My EP on Houston wants to remove. Be removed about 1000 last Yr and even teaches it but I am so afraid.  I don't mind replacement at all, afraid of tearing heart etc etc.  I may call the doc in NY thar put it in for his opinion.  I think a lot depends on how it was put in to begin with... Judi McIntosh, President/CEO Swimsational Swim School, LLC www.swimsational.net On Mar 8, 2012, at 6:35 AM, "Sydney" <konkontu2011@...> wrote:   Hi, Yes the procedure is difficult. It is really a big deal. It can take anywhere from 3 to 6 hours and that is a long time to be on the table! My procedure took 3 hours. I had it Monday and I am still in a lot of pain and not feeling well at all. I had a lead replaced in 2008 and they left the bad lead in and added another. This time there was no choice but to have them extracted. I am 69 and I don't bounce back like I used to.  Sydney   ----- Original Message ----- From: McIntosh Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2012 10:03 PM Subject: Re: How does St. Jude compare to Metronics ICD  Wow, so sorry but glad it's over and you are ok!  I have to have it done next few months and afraid to extract old lead.  I  prob ask them to leave on and put new one.  I am 61.  May I ask if it was difficult because of procedure or just our age thing?  Judi McIntosh, President/CEO Swimsational Swim School, LLC www.swimsational.net On Mar 7, 2012, at 1:20 PM, "Sydney" <konkontu2011@...> wrote:  Hi, I am recovering from having a lead extraction and the implantation of a new Medtronic device. It was quite a procedure. Luckily the surgeon I had is one of the best in the US and probably the world.  It does get harder for your body to recover as you age. I hope I don't have to go through this again for a long while.  Sydney  ----- Original Message ----- From: Craig man To: Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2012 12:18 PM Subject: How does St. Jude compare to Metronics ICD  -I just spent $300 having a replacement ICD implanted on 24 Fenb 2012.  The prior one last six years and one day.  Hope the same for this one.  Doc put in a St. Jude ICD.  This one is a lot deeper so recovery been on the painful side.  This unit vibrates .  My hearing is so bad I could hear the alert for low battery on the prior Metronic ICD. Ten days out I doing very good.  No pain and most the Super Glue they used to close me up is dropping off.  Only thing I noticed when one is six years apart between procedures, you can feel the impact that age has on you.  I am 68 now., I wonder how replacement at 74 will impact me.  Bet I  will be downloading a lot more movies on Netflix to pass the time during recovery. -- Craig man, P.E. craig.peterman@... Home 210.521.1291 -- Craig man, P.E. craig.peterman@... Home 210.521.1291 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 Dr. ce Epstein of Brigham Women's has been a top expert in lead extraction and has been doing this for over a decade. He extracts about 150 leads a year. Beware of doctors who say they extract 1,000! Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaQ-kP9_UUo > >> > >>> Hi, > >>> I am recovering from having a lead extraction and the > >>> implantation of a new Medtronic device. It was quite a > >>> procedure. Luckily the surgeon I had is one of the best in the > >>> US and probably the world. > >>> It does get harder for your body to recover as you age. I hope > >>> I don't have to go through this again for a long while. > >>> Sydney > >>> > >>> * How does St. Jude compare to Metronics ICD > >>> > >>> <mailto: > > >>> > >>> -I just spent $300 having a replacement ICD implanted on 24 Fenb > >>> 2012. The prior one last > >>> six years and one day. Hope the same for this one. Doc put > >>> in a St. > >>> Jude ICD. This one is a lot deeper so recovery been on the > >>> painful > >>> side. This unit vibrates . My hearing is so bad I could > >>> hear the > >>> alert for low battery on the prior Metronic ICD. > >>> > >>> Ten days out I doing very good. No pain and most the Super > >>> Glue they > >>> used to close me up is dropping off. Only thing I noticed > >>> when one is > >>> six years apart between procedures, you can feel the impact > >>> that age > >>> has on you. I am 68 now., I wonder how replacement at 74 > >>> will impact > >>> me. Bet I will be downloading a lot more movies on > >>> Netflix to pass > >>> the time during recovery. > >>> > >>> -- > >>> Craig man, P.E. > >>> craig.peterman@... <mailto:craig.peterman@...> > >>> Home 210.521.1291 > >>> > >>> -- > >>> Craig man, P.E. > >>> craig.peterman@... <mailto:craig.peterman@...> > >>> Home 210.521.1291 > >>> > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012  The extraction was done at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Sydney How does St. Jude compare to Metronics ICD -I just spent $300 having a replacement ICD implanted on 24 Fenb2012. The prior one lastsix years and one day. Hope the same for this one. Doc put in a St.Jude ICD. This one is a lot deeper so recovery been on the painfulside. This unit vibrates . My hearing is so bad I could hear thealert for low battery on the prior Metronic ICD.Ten days out I doing very good. No pain and most the Super Glue theyused to close me up is dropping off. Only thing I noticed when one issix years apart between procedures, you can feel the impact that agehas on you. I am 68 now., I wonder how replacement at 74 will impactme. Bet I will be downloading a lot more movies on Netflix to passthe time during recovery.--Craig man, P.E.craig.peterman@...Home 210.521.1291-- Craig man, P.E.craig.peterman@...Home 210.521.1291 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 Dr. Epstein is the dr who did my extraction. He is very experienced thank goodness. His information is below in this email. You do have to be sure that the dr has had a lot of experience. He told me that there was a 5% chance I would need an open heart procedure. Sydney * How does St. Jude compare to Metronics ICD> >>>> >>> <mailto: >> >>>> >>> -I just spent $300 having a replacement ICD implanted on 24 Fenb> >>> 2012. The prior one last> >>> six years and one day. Hope the same for this one. Doc put> >>> in a St.> >>> Jude ICD. This one is a lot deeper so recovery been on the> >>> painful> >>> side. This unit vibrates . My hearing is so bad I could> >>> hear the> >>> alert for low battery on the prior Metronic ICD.> >>>> >>> Ten days out I doing very good. No pain and most the Super> >>> Glue they> >>> used to close me up is dropping off. Only thing I noticed> >>> when one is> >>> six years apart between procedures, you can feel the impact> >>> that age> >>> has on you. I am 68 now., I wonder how replacement at 74> >>> will impact> >>> me. Bet I will be downloading a lot more movies on> >>> Netflix to pass> >>> the time during recovery.> >>>> >>> --> >>> Craig man, P.E.> >>> craig.peterman@... <mailto:craig.peterman@...>> >>> Home 210.521.1291> >>>> >>> -- > >>> Craig man, P.E.> >>> craig.peterman@... <mailto:craig.peterman@...>> >>> Home 210.521.1291> >>>> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 Good to hear. Dr. Epstein is the " extraction god " . They do about 100-200 extractions a year at Brigham and Women's cath lab. http://www.cardiovascularbusiness.com/index.php?option=com_articles & view=article\ & id=17305:innovations-in-electrophysiology Sydney, did they do laser, RF or mechanical extraction? Do you know? Oh, and how old was the lead removed? > > >> > > >>> Hi, > > >>> I am recovering from having a lead extraction and the > > >>> implantation of a new Medtronic device. It was quite a > > >>> procedure. Luckily the surgeon I had is one of the best in the > > >>> US and probably the world. > > >>> It does get harder for your body to recover as you age. I hope > > >>> I don't have to go through this again for a long while. > > >>> Sydney > > >>> > > >>> * How does St. Jude compare to Metronics ICD > > >>> > > >>> <mailto: > > > >>> > > >>> -I just spent $300 having a replacement ICD implanted on 24 Fenb > > >>> 2012. The prior one last > > >>> six years and one day. Hope the same for this one. Doc put > > >>> in a St. > > >>> Jude ICD. This one is a lot deeper so recovery been on the > > >>> painful > > >>> side. This unit vibrates . My hearing is so bad I could > > >>> hear the > > >>> alert for low battery on the prior Metronic ICD. > > >>> > > >>> Ten days out I doing very good. No pain and most the Super > > >>> Glue they > > >>> used to close me up is dropping off. Only thing I noticed > > >>> when one is > > >>> six years apart between procedures, you can feel the impact > > >>> that age > > >>> has on you. I am 68 now., I wonder how replacement at 74 > > >>> will impact > > >>> me. Bet I will be downloading a lot more movies on > > >>> Netflix to pass > > >>> the time during recovery. > > >>> > > >>> -- > > >>> Craig man, P.E. > > >>> craig.peterman@ <mailto:craig.peterman@> > > >>> Home 210.521.1291 > > >>> > > >>> -- > > >>> Craig man, P.E. > > >>> craig.peterman@ <mailto:craig.peterman@> > > >>> Home 210.521.1291 > > >>> > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 I he used the laser for extraction and the lead had been in for six years. Sydney * How does St. Jude compare to Metronics ICD> > >>>> > >>> <mailto: >> > >>>> > >>> -I just spent $300 having a replacement ICD implanted on 24 Fenb> > >>> 2012. The prior one last> > >>> six years and one day. Hope the same for this one. Doc put> > >>> in a St.> > >>> Jude ICD. This one is a lot deeper so recovery been on the> > >>> painful> > >>> side. This unit vibrates . My hearing is so bad I could> > >>> hear the> > >>> alert for low battery on the prior Metronic ICD.> > >>>> > >>> Ten days out I doing very good. No pain and most the Super> > >>> Glue they> > >>> used to close me up is dropping off. Only thing I noticed> > >>> when one is> > >>> six years apart between procedures, you can feel the impact> > >>> that age> > >>> has on you. I am 68 now., I wonder how replacement at 74> > >>> will impact> > >>> me. Bet I will be downloading a lot more movies on> > >>> Netflix to pass> > >>> the time during recovery.> > >>>> > >>> --> > >>> Craig man, P.E.> > >>> craig.peterman@ <mailto:craig.peterman@>> > >>> Home 210.521.1291> > >>>> > >>> -- > > >>> Craig man, P.E.> > >>> craig.peterman@ <mailto:craig.peterman@>> > >>> Home 210.521.1291> > >>>> > >> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 9, 2012 Report Share Posted March 9, 2012 What city and state would that be in? I may have to get a lead taken out in the future also because I have 4 in there now. Ruth in PA From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Hugo Sent: Thursday, March 08, 2012 1:42 PM Subject: Re: Lead Extraction Dr. ce Epstein of Brigham Women's has been a top expert in lead extraction and has been doing this for over a decade. He extracts about 150 leads a year. Beware of doctors who say they extract 1,000! Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaQ-kP9_UUo > >> > >>> Hi, > >>> I am recovering from having a lead extraction and the > >>> implantation of a new Medtronic device. It was quite a > >>> procedure. Luckily the surgeon I had is one of the best in the > >>> US and probably the world. > >>> It does get harder for your body to recover as you age. I hope > >>> I don't have to go through this again for a long while. > >>> Sydney > >>> > >>> * How does St. Jude compare to Metronics ICD > >>> > >>> <mailto: > > >>> > >>> -I just spent $300 having a replacement ICD implanted on 24 Fenb > >>> 2012. The prior one last > >>> six years and one day. Hope the same for this one. Doc put > >>> in a St. > >>> Jude ICD. This one is a lot deeper so recovery been on the > >>> painful > >>> side. This unit vibrates . My hearing is so bad I could > >>> hear the > >>> alert for low battery on the prior Metronic ICD. > >>> > >>> Ten days out I doing very good. No pain and most the Super > >>> Glue they > >>> used to close me up is dropping off. Only thing I noticed > >>> when one is > >>> six years apart between procedures, you can feel the impact > >>> that age > >>> has on you. I am 68 now., I wonder how replacement at 74 > >>> will impact > >>> me. Bet I will be downloading a lot more movies on > >>> Netflix to pass > >>> the time during recovery. > >>> > >>> -- > >>> Craig man, P.E. > >>> craig.peterman@... <mailto:craig.peterman@...> > >>> Home 210.521.1291 > >>> > >>> -- > >>> Craig man, P.E. > >>> craig.peterman@... <mailto:craig.peterman@...> > >>> Home 210.521.1291 > >>> > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2012 Report Share Posted March 10, 2012 Hi Ruth, Brigham and Women's Hospital is in Boston , MA Sydney * How does St. Jude compare to Metronics ICD> >>>> >>> <mailto: >> >>>> >>> -I just spent $300 having a replacement ICD implanted on 24 Fenb> >>> 2012. The prior one last> >>> six years and one day. Hope the same for this one. Doc put> >>> in a St.> >>> Jude ICD. This one is a lot deeper so recovery been on the> >>> painful> >>> side. This unit vibrates . My hearing is so bad I could> >>> hear the> >>> alert for low battery on the prior Metronic ICD.> >>>> >>> Ten days out I doing very good. No pain and most the Super> >>> Glue they> >>> used to close me up is dropping off. Only thing I noticed> >>> when one is> >>> six years apart between procedures, you can feel the impact> >>> that age> >>> has on you. I am 68 now., I wonder how replacement at 74> >>> will impact> >>> me. Bet I will be downloading a lot more movies on> >>> Netflix to pass> >>> the time during recovery.> >>>> >>> --> >>> Craig man, P.E.> >>> craig.peterman@... <mailto:craig.peterman@...>> >>> Home 210.521.1291> >>>> >>> -- > >>> Craig man, P.E.> >>> craig.peterman@... <mailto:craig.peterman@...>> >>> Home 210.521.1291> >>>> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2012 Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 okay for those of you with the recalled lead have you had ti taken out when the icd needs replacement if so how long was it in and diod you have complications ???? is lead extractions risky ???? and has anyone in the indiana area had this done if so who don it and was thre problems? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2012 Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 Hi Stacey, good to hear from you. I had extraction of two leads two weeks ago and am still healing. It is a lot more serious surgery than just having an implant. You have to make sure that your surgeon is experienced. I live in the Boston area so I don't know anything about Indiana. Sydney lead extraction okay for those of you with the recalled lead have you had ti taken out when the icd needs replacement if so how long was it in and diod you have complications ???? is lead extractions risky ???? and has anyone in the indiana area had this done if so who don it and was thre problems? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2012 Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 how long had your lead been in before they took it out? From: Sydney <konkontu2011@...>Subject: Re: lead extraction Date: Tuesday, March 20, 2012, 4:24 PM Hi Stacey, good to hear from you. I had extraction of two leads two weeks ago and am still healing. It is a lot more serious surgery than just having an implant. You have to make sure that your surgeon is experienced. I live in the Boston area so I don't know anything about Indiana. Sydney lead extraction okay for those of you with the recalled lead have you had ti taken out when the icd needs replacement if so how long was it in and diod you have complications ???? is lead extractions risky ???? and has anyone in the indiana area had this done if so who don it and was thre problems? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2012 Report Share Posted March 20, 2012  One of the leads had been in for six years. I guess the longer they are in - the more difficult they are to remove. Sydney lead extraction okay for those of you with the recalled lead have you had ti taken out when the icd needs replacement if so how long was it in and diod you have complications ???? is lead extractions risky ???? and has anyone in the indiana area had this done if so who don it and was thre problems? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 21, 2012 Report Share Posted March 21, 2012 Sydney, How long did the surgery take? Was it considered open heart surgery? Are you in a lot of pain?   Questions Questions!!! J    I think you must be one of the first on this list to get it.  I’m going to need to have it done someday because I have 4 leads in there now. Ruth From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Sydney Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2012 5:46 PM Subject: Re: lead extraction   One of the leads had been in for six years. I guess the longer they are in - the more difficult they are to remove. Sydney lead extraction okay for those of you with the recalled lead have you had ti taken out when the icd needs replacement if so how long was it in and diod you have complications ???? is lead extractions risky ???? and has anyone in the indiana area had this done if so who don it and was thre problems? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012  Hi Ruth, Lead extraction is a big deal! Be sure that you have a surgeon who is very experienced in doing the procedure. There was a 5% chance that I would need open-heart surgery. Thank goodness I did not, but I was on the table for 3 1/2 hours. Sydney Re: staying in touch! Date: Saturday, July 14, 2012, 10:08 AM > AND for the record -- ~guin (ME), I am a 53 yo female who has had an ICD since 1999! Guin, I remember you! And Turk, who left us too soon. Remember H., and Ronnie. Jon Duffey is over on FB if anyone wants to"friend" him there. And of course I remember Stacey.... you were justa teenager when I joined this list in 2001! My husband Rich was the"Zapper" (or would that be Zappee? lol). He passed away in 2005, butnot because of his heart. He was murdered by an incompetent, drugaddicted ER doc who left him without a patent airway for 50 minutes.Did Bill (BILLANDMARTHA) pass away?I'm glad to see so many familiar names still here, sad that there areso many news ones -- but glad that you have your devices. Modernscience is amazing. Sue^'^ ^'^ ^'^ ^'^ ^'^ ^'^“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to liveforever.†-- GandhiSky Paintings and Science Stuff:http://auroraborealispage.net/aurora.htmlWhere My Spirit Lives:http://auroraborealispage.net/alaska.htmlToby, the Owl Who Flew Away:http://www.auroraborealispage.net/owl.html------------------------------------Be sure to visit and use other ZapLife.org services:The ZapperBBS at http://zaplife.org/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=11 - Email list forum at /2 - Email delivery of the Zapper Newsletter at 2/3 - Email list forum for those involved in ICD litigation at 3/ZapChat - Real time online support group (Thursdays 8PM EST) at http://www.zaplife.org/chat.htmlZapFAQs - A glossary of ICD/arrhythmia terms and abbreviations at http://www.zaplife.org/zap4.htmThe ZAPPER Home page at http://www.zaplife.org/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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