skeet shooting

I had a PM impanted 6/7/11 for brachacardia. I am going to the PM lab tomorrow for a checkup.

My PM was implanted in my left pectoral muscle because I am right handed and my MD knows that I am an avid skeet shooter. Skeet is shot with a shotgun "pocketed in the right shoulder. Your left arm and hand does little but holds the front end of the shotgun (approximately 3. lbs) as one moves the shotgun in front (leading the bird) of the clay pigeon before firing. The "kick" or concussion is absorbed by the right shoulder. The left arm and hand receives zero concussion by firing.

I am keeping my left elbow below my left shoulder as instructed. I am not sure how long I am to do this; my MD was vague and said "a couple of weeks. The incision is healing nicely and quickly (it itches like crazy.)

Question-- Hoe long brfore I can shoot a round of skeet?? Another week or so?? I do plan on asking the cardiologist tomorrow if I see him.

As soon as it is safe to lift my left elbow above my left shoulder I am pretty sure I will be ready.

Thoughts??



7 Comments

wait a little while

by sugar - 2011-06-17 03:06:45

I target shoot and have no problem with it - I do not shoot the clay but I would think that the lines to your heart should heal alittle more when you are going to put the shotgun and get a kick which might move the lines.
Just a thought. I used to work at Winchesters many years ago in New Haven before it became Olin and I was the only girl on the pistol team. I did end up with medical problems back then so skeet was out for me.

I have been trying to get my son to learn how to handle these since he was 12 yrs. old. He had no interest till he moved to LA so he is joining a rifle club in LA.

PMs can be alittle tricky early on with the kicks - I think your dr. is brobably wise to say wait a couple of weeks. Scar tissue has to form to protect your lines and pm. Just my thoughts. Maybe go to a smaller rifle to start (not sure what you use).

skeet update

by biceps72 - 2011-06-17 05:06:42

minimum of 4 weeks after PM is placed. Soooo.. looks like after July 4 for me. Basically the "no movement of left elbow above left shoulder for 4-6 weeks" rule is in effect. No weight lifting for same reason although some lifts allowed.

So I sit back (cleared for driving today--YEAA!), read, do cardio, surf the net and watch a few movies for a few more weeks. A very small price to pay imo!

healing

by Tracey_E - 2011-06-17 07:06:55

Usually they tell us to keep the arm down anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks, 6 is about average. I'd ask tomorrow at your appointment.

If the incision itches, try vitamin e ointment or aloe.

search... good idea!!!.

by biceps72 - 2011-06-17 09:06:04

I didn't realize that shotgun shooting had been discussed on this forum!!!! I didn't check before but did after BCHGIRL suggest I look on this forum.............it had been----------------------------- boy did I feel ignorant! ghOOD TO SEARCH BEFORE ASKING AN ALREADY DISCSSED QUESTION

What a great group this is!!!!!! Off to the PM lab for my 10 day check........I am excited and want to get back to normal asap!!

PLEASE DON"T feel ignorant!

by bchgirl - 2011-06-17 11:06:07

Always ask the question. I just asked about roller coasters, and it was discussed previously. Sometimes just good to "talk" to people. I just suggested the "search" to see what other ideas there might be. It just gives you even more opinions. Please keep us informed on your check up. I know what you mean about getting back to normal. I'm back to my ZUMBA routine, and still feel odd. Allowed to lift the arm at six weeks, but still feeling a little, shall be say "shy" about doing so for fear of pulling my leads out. Ready to ride the roller coasters at the end of the month, but knowing It's better safe than sorry. At 44 years old, I'm very active and don't like for anyone to try to tell me to "just take it easy." I like to go, go, go, and hate it when I have to rest. Ughhhh....Well, very thankful for these wonderful litle devices that make it possible for us to lead more normal lives though. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

No Idea, But....

by bchgirl - 2011-06-17 12:06:45

First of all, congratulations on the itching. (laughing with you not at you). I had the same thing and was assured it was a great sign of healing.

As far as the skeet shooting, I wouldn't have a clue, but wanted to share with you that there seem to be some great comments on "skeet" and "shotguns" when you do a search. I'm into roller coasters, and it didn't occur to me to do a search until I had posted a question earlier today about that subject. Everyone on here has been so helpful, and it's great just talking to folks like us going through the same issues. Anyway, just wanted to offer that suggestion. Best of luck!

How long is your life?

by donr - 2011-06-19 07:06:07

I'd wait a bit longer than 4 weeks. What would you do were you in a body cast for 6 months? you wouldn't shoot skeet!

I had a ventricular lead replaced on 29 Mar several yrs ago. TYhe next 12 June, I was in a car t-boned by a Jeep. Caught me in the right shoulder & broke 8-10 ribs & a collar bone. My Cardio about had a cow! He was very concerned about the possibility of the harpoon in my heart coming out of Moby Dick's hide. I mean REALLY concerned. My #2 Daughter is an ER Doc. She was likewise concerned. Neither of them told me why till I was nearly recovered. Physical, inertial shock to the chest can wreak havoc to hearts & their moorings. I wound up w/ some fluid around mine that took well over 6 weeks to be absorbed.

Now - A 12 gage recoil is nothing like a car impact - but it is frequent when you are burning several 25 round boxes of ammo in an afternoon. Then there are the doubles. Remember the soreness when you were a tyro? That shock wave from the recoil travels through the entire chest cavity.

Do you REALLY want to subject your heart & the new lead implant sites to that kind of punishment? Give it a rest - unless you are 95, you have a lot of yrs to burn clays.

Don

You know you're wired when...

You play MP3 files on your pacer.

Member Quotes

Life does not stop with a pacemaker, even though it caught me off guard.