Hi Yorkiemom3, welcome to healing well forum, we are happy to have you join us here. I am so sorry for all you have gone though...it sounds like it was quite a shock for you to find out about these problems.
I have a pacemaker (not a defibulator) due to bradycardia. My heart rate was in the 20's before it was implanted. I also have extremely low blood pressures and have to take medications for this (florinef & proamatine). It is odd because I have an autonomic disorder and when I am sitting or standing my blood pressure is low but when I lay down it levels off to a normal BP. I am also on a ton of medications which I still havent gotten used to taking after all this time. I too have a difficult time breathing...it feels like someone is sitting on my chest all the time and also squezing my throat. My cardiologist has said this is due to my blood pressure. Do you notice it is easier to breath when your laying flat?
As for your shocks...I dont know? I would say that since you do have a defibulator it is shocking your heart back into a normal rythem and I have heard from people that have these defibulators that they are most uncomfortable and painful at times. My cardiologist has said that I need to have one but I have had my pacemaker for a yr and half and already had 2 lead revisions done...so I am not too eager to have another surgery on that area just yet.
I hope another member will post regarding their experiance with defibulators so you can get some ideas of what to expect. Please do feel free to continue to post as often as you like this site is a wonderful place for information and support. Take care