Driving Restrictions

What are the driving restrictions after having a PM? My doc hasn't said anything. He said "return to normal activities when I went in a week after surgery to have bandage removed> I haven't been driving much because I didn't feel exactly right and didn't want to take unnecessary chances. But I have driven to the store a few times and I was nervous. I have experienced a lot of anxiety since the surgery. GP gave me xanax .25 twice a day> I guess it helps a little. It's not a very strong dose. But is there a certain amount of time we are supposed to wait to be sure we won't faint?
Thanks'
Cindy

8 Comments

Hello Cindy

by 8thID - 2010-09-16 09:09:23

I'm in the states and had an ICD implanted on 7/27/10. My DR told me I could drive immediately. I really didn't feel like driving though. I've heard different answers to the question from members here. So, I guess it may be a case by case basis. Where are my manners? WELCOME! I wish you the best and hope all goes well from now on. Take Care!

Jeff

New Pacemaker

by SMITTY - 2010-09-16 10:09:41

Hi Cindy,

Welcome to the Pacemaker Club.

Driving restrictions for me were no driving for 48 hours and from what I have seen other members say that is about average. If you have reason to be concerned you should ask your doctor. The only precaution I know of is to be sure the shoulder strap is not directly over the implant site. If it is you might find it more comfortable to put a soft pad, such as folded towel between it and the strap.

As for a certain amount of time to wait, there is none. After your pacemaker was implanted it was programmed to do whatever your doctor thought was necessary for you. That pacemaker is just as dependable as the Energizer Bunny and will sit there doing what it is supposed to do day after day.

I’m not sure why you are so anxious. I wonder if it could be due to your giving the pacemaker more credit for keeping you going than it deserves. If you got it because you were having episodes of fainting, then your heart rate was probably dropping too low. Your pacemaker has two settings. One is a low setting and the other is a high setting. The low setting is the point at which your pacemaker starts working if your heart rate drops below that point. Again the doctor decided what your low setting should be. For most people it is between 50 and 70. (For me the low set point is 80, but my heart is old and decrepit.) The upper set point (usually in the range of 120 to 150) is the point which your pacemaker stops helping your heart maintain a steady rhythm. It then sits on the side line and monitors your heart function ready to step in if it determines it needs to.

I’m guessing you are like many of us when we first get out pacemaker. You think it has total control of your heart function and you would be in deep trouble if it quit. First the probability of it quitting is almost nonexistent. Second if it did quit your heart function would just return to doing what it was doing before you got the pacemaker and you would go get another one. Above all don’t let that pacemaker take over your life.

I wish you the best,

Smitty

Mine was longer

by Beckes76 - 2010-09-17 02:09:08

The last few times I had my PM replaced they told me not to drive for 2 weeks. Which I was perfectly fine with. The last time in 2005 I started driving the day that I went in for my two week appointment. It does all depend on the circumstances and everything. Welcome to this club.

Becky

Gratitude

by Poupon - 2010-09-18 03:09:51

I'm new and do not yet have a PM but I am reading all I can - this thread was very helpful - especially when Smitty said that if it were to stop, our hearts would just go back to whatever they did before. I've wondered this ever since my grandfather got his in 1967! His, BTW worked terrifically, even though it was the size of a juice box and really creepy ugly (he thought it was the most beautiful thing in the world - how's that for 'eye of the beholder'?)

Thanks Folks :-). I hope Cindy feels as put at ease by your responses as I do.

Laurel

driving

by amethyst34 - 2010-09-18 05:09:25

Hi,
I had my pacemaker put in on the 27/9/10.
Here in the uk the legal requirement for driving is 1 week, but my dr told me I should wait 4 weeks so not to prevent lead displacement.

I hope this helps

Karen

restrictions? Advises...

by sherida - 2010-09-18 06:09:42

hi,
I'm not acquainted with the states laws, but I can give you these advises and rule from the netherlands:
After pacemaker implantation: don't drive and don't raise the arm on the side of the pacemaker above the shoulder for 3 or 4 weeks. That's because leads may dislodge. Afterwards there are no restrictions to drive.
In ICD's laws may differ. After the first check up being OK (about 6 weeks after implantation), you are allowed to drive a car, unless the ICD shocked. After a shock, you are not allowed to drive for 2 months. When no new shocks occur, it 's OK to drive, unless your doctor advise is not to do so.
I hope this is a little helpfull to you!
All the best
Sherida

.25 is zip

by Duke60 - 2010-09-19 12:09:40

xanax is a fast acting short term drug used for panic/anxiety attacks alot.
.25 is almost zip.
But do not drive for a few hours after taking because if you get pulled over and the police find out, you will not be happy.
.25 is so low I think they gave it to you just to give you support as such a low dose is almost nothing. .25 should not make you faint as I take alot more then that and have for years.
Stop worrying about having a PM and your anxiety will go away.(I do not know your medical history of course)
I take 5 mg and more at a time for Post Viet Nam Stress and wait a few hours before driving because I know it is the right thing to do. Plus my body has adjusted to it.
I did have a panic attack one time years back right before I had to recover a body from a lake and that was a trip.

Too Long!!

by DollyA - 2010-10-15 02:10:12

I had my PM put it 6 wks. ago. On my 4 wk check up my Dr. said 6 months. Not because of the PM but because of the fainting. He said it is a Texas State Law that if you faint or flatline that they want you to wait 6 mths. I think this is crazy but I would hate to hurt someone. I live in a small town, my girls and family make sure I don't drive. They is the only drawback of my PM. God is good though and I'm still alive.

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