ICD GOOD OR BAD???

Hi, In short,  I am a 30yr old famale in the Uk.
I have Myocarditis, Dilated cardimyopathy and Ventricular Tachycardia all thought to haver been caused by a virus!!?.
My cardio has said I will probably need an ICD after I have an MRI in the next week or so.

My questions are:
What is the surgery and recovery like?
Can you feel the shocks/do they hurt?

I would be so grateful of any more info

[BionicBabe]

Hi, I am 34 and have had an ICD for 5 months. In my case and from everyone I've talked to, the surgery is not bad at all. In the U.S. anyway, they sedate you enough that you are either asleep or totally out of it and don't remember any of it. The physical part of recovery is not very bad for most people. You can't lift anything for 6 weeks and have to limit the use of whichever arm is closest to the implant site (usually your left arm). I found the pain to be very mild overall, it's most painful the first few days. The hardest part for most people is the psychological aspects, the worries and anxieties that tend to occur when one is diagnosed with a heart condition and receives an ICD. Doctors tend not to focus too much on the psychological aspects.  I have not yet been shocked. Some people go years without being shocked. I know one woman who has had her ICDs for ten years and has not once been shocked. Knock twice on wood. From what I've heard the shocks can be painful but generally last an extremely short time. Sometimes something called shock storms occurs where you get multiple shocks. Most people say that the shock is more scary than actually painful, but people experience them differently. They are generally described as like getting kicked in the chest. ICDs also are usually set to cardiovert you out of an episode of VTach so that shocks are less likely to occur. I'm still new to this ICD stuff, but I belong to an online forum that might be helpful to you...http://www.icdsupportgroup.org/. You can get support and answers to your questions by people who've had these devices for years and some who've done a lot of research. Good luck!

[John1029]

I have ICD about 18 months. First time I got an infection and it had to be remved. Second time No issues. I would do it all over again. It is better to be save than sorry. All you need is one time to save your life.
Alll the best
John

[Squarewheel]

Thank you for your kind words & very helpful info.  I have my MRI tomorroww morning so will know more soon