Insomnia

I have my Medtronic ICD about 2 1/2 weeks. This weekend I started having insomnia only sleeping for a couple of hours. Also, I have a pain that comes and goes in my right shoulder and top of my arm. Has anyone else experienced these effects. Thanks,
Lorraine

5 Comments

thanks

by ltrivone - 2009-11-09 09:11:02

Thanks alot for your reply. I was told to take it easy for about 6 weeks with no arm movements above the shoulder and not lifting more than 5 pounds. I think I might start just some minor exercising so that the joint does not freeze as you mentioned. I guess just little circles and things. Thanks for your help, Lorraine

Carolyn65

by Carolyn65 - 2009-11-09 09:11:25

ltrivone, I have had my Boston Scienific PM for about a month now. Right after the implant in the Heart Hospital, before I was taken to my hospital room for an overtnite observation, someone had put a sling on my left arm to limit my movement on that side (PM side).

My cardiologist's associate took it right off me the moment he saw me the next morn., with a "growl". & said my shoulder/arm would "freeze" up if I did not use that arm/shoulder. So after that, using good common sense, I moved that shoulder/arm as much as I thought I could get by with, even with some discomfort of the dissolvable stitiches around the P.M.

Do not know if this might help you, but this was my experience from having slight pain in my left shoulder/arm (the side my implant is on below my clavicle). Take care, Carolyn G. of TEXAS ( :

Hi,

by Gellia2 - 2009-11-09 11:11:20

I did just want to chime in here on the wire itself.

Today, most wires have a small screw like end. They're screwed right into the heart wall.

When I got my first pacemaker it was 1975. I was never told a thing about what not to do, or to do, so I went horseback riding. That I had never been on a horse didn't matter to me at all at the time.
Of course I fell off. Quite hard as a matter of fact. But, my pacemaker and wire was fine.

Now, I would be far more cautious! :) But PM's are sturdy little gadgets. I think I would break before it would.

Gellia

arm pain

by Pookie - 2009-11-09 12:11:02

hi.

without having time to read the other responses...this is what I experienced with arm pain....

FIRST...what side is your pacemaker on? I'm asking because 2 days after having my initial surgery my opposite shoulder felt like it was broken or someone was trying to rip it off, it was burning, it was the worst pain I've ever experienced in my life.

the result = I had severe pericarditis (where blood fills in the heart sack which surrounds your heart) and I had to have emergency surgery to save my life.

IF you are having a sore arm on the same side as your pacemaker, that is quite normal, and in time it will get better. And you are correct, do little things like shrugging your shoulder and doing little circles, or "walking" your fingers up a wall so you won't end up with Frozen Shoulder.

good luck & keep us posted.

Pookie

thanks

by ltrivone - 2009-11-09 12:11:18

the pain is on the same side as the icd. thanks,

You know you're wired when...

You have an excuse for being a couch potato.

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