ICD delievered 37 shocks in 20 minutes

[AConcernedDaughter]

Can anyone please help?  My mother is 72 years old.  She had an ICD implanted in October of 2009.  On January 4, 2010, her ICD went off 37 times in 20 minutes due to fatal v-tach.  Her cardiologist put her on amiodorone and lopressor.  She came home January 15, 2010, and the medicine is working.  However, here is the problem:  Only at night, in her bed, which is next to the ICD communicator, she awakens with what she describes as an electric shock or static electricity noise and/or buzzing in her head.  As a result, she's been sleeping on the couch.  Again, it's only at night, and only in her bedroom.  WHAT could be the cause?!  Her doctors told her it's a psychotic reaction to the trauma of 37 shocks.  But she doesn't believe that, and neither do I.  By the way, they checked the function of her ICD in the hospital and told her it was fine.  Please, please help!  Thank you so much.

[AConcernedDaughter]

Wow!  Thank you SO much for your response!  I am going to ask her doctor exactly what you said.  Because, yes, her ICD also functions as a pacemaker.  She said the sound does remind her of "a camera charging up the flash".  And she did have a phantom shock before, but she says this is different.  Again, I really appreciate your post, more than you know!  She has an appointment on February 9th - I can't wait to see what the cardiologist tells her.  Take care!!

[kevk]

I hope your mother is feeling better, 37 shocks ouch. Does your mothers ICD have a pacer ? She may be being paced when she is feeling or hearing the noise. Ask her doctor if the ICD has been monitoring her heart or charging for treatment during these episodes. I can hear my ICD charge up for treatment, Mine sounds like a camera charging up the flash. The trauma thing your doctor is talking about is called phantom shocks to us with ICD`s.  I do not think your mom had a phantom shock or she would have thought she was shocked. I have had two phantom shocks where I awoke thinking I had just been shocked but nothing really happened. Her communicator should not cause any problem but you could try moving it for a while to see. Best of luck to you and your mother and please keep us posted on what is happening.