New PM

Hello I just got my pacemaker (St Jude PM3210) installed Thursday and I was just wondering how easy it is to dislodge the leads. I was told not to raise my left arm above my head or behind my back. Since I have not been in any pain, I have found it difficult to remember that I just had the surgery. Therefore, more than once, I have done exactly that. Left arm up or behind my back. I have tried very hard to follow doctor's instructions, but I am worried that I will dislodge one of the three. I know they try their hardest to get the leads stable, but I am a worrier and am concerned I will be the cause of this particular failure.
Any ideas or experience with this issue?

8 Comments

Frozen shoulder too!

by golfgirl - 2012-01-16 01:01:09

Since I was recovering from a car accident with whiplash, concussion, shoulder and back pain and knees, I was becoming weaker and weaker when they finally discovered the reason I blacked out was due to my heart rate (25 bpm) how no one noticed the three times I was in ER is unbelievable. However, when I had the PM they told me not to move for 2 weeks, then slowly get back to normal, but I was to move my arm some, just not over my head, to prevent a frozen shoulder. I could not move for the first week even if I wanted to, then the second week, I could get out of bed, but Hubby washed my hair etc. When I finally was well enough from the accident to finally start walking, etc, I could barely get my coat on, and it has been almost a year, still seeing a chiropractor, physio therapist and a massage therapist for the pain in both my shoulders, torn router cuff, torn ligaments etc. Don't know how this happened, but it is a pain. If it had not been for the accident prior to the PM I would probably have moved it a lot more or used it to prevent this from happening. When it is time to get the Pm battery changed, I hopefully will be in better shape to recover afterwards and will use the shoulder earlier.

Be very cautious

by auntiesamm - 2012-01-16 01:01:50

I have not posted for 2 or 3 years but glad to be back. My pacemaker was installed May 2006. I am paced 100% in the left ventricle and about 30% in the atrium. On visit in July 2011 I was told I had about a year left on battery. So much depends on how much you are paced as to when the battery needs changing. Since last summer I have gone every 3 months as a safeguard and expect about this time next year to need replacement.

About raising your arms: It is very difficult to remember. Here is what I did. I put yellow sticky notes on all the cabinets above shoulder level, shelves, pantry, clothes rods, etc, that served as a reminder. Looked mighty strange to have a sea of yellow surrounding us but it served the purpose. I was told that after a few weeks the leads should be solid enough that there is no longer a danger of pulling them out. Others may have suggestions for you as well. At this point I seldom think about my pacemaker, sometimes for days on end. It is simply the computer that keeps me running! Good luck and God bless.

Sharon

Just be reasonable

by ElectricFrank - 2012-01-16 02:01:10

I was out walking 3 miles a day soon after the implant. I gave my wife authority to yell at me if I stretched, but still managed it. I started the day I came home from the hospital doing shoulder rotations and just avoided going too high. I never had any shoulder problems and have been using the same leads since 2004.

Bottom line don't freak out about it. We have people on the forum who have had lead problems and did every thing right. Then the ones who went wild and never had a problem.

frank

Thanks all

by beautiful diaster - 2012-01-16 04:01:59

for the advice. I will try to be reasonable and stop worrying.

Post surgery

by allison - 2012-01-16 10:01:02

I wore a sling--then there was no problem....

I did that too

by t-bee - 2012-01-16 12:01:14

but they didn't become dislodged. It is so hard to remember not to raise your arm. The doctors do such a good job of scaring you to death about dislodging the leads and requiring a second surgery to fix it. They should be warning you about not using your arm enough. That is what is happening to me now. I got my pm in Sept 11, and treated my arm like it was broken. Now I am starting physio to try and get full movement back. Don't seize up like me :)

Tina

Wire dislodged

by dsaunders - 2012-01-16 12:01:50

Hi! I have had experience with this...I had my PM put in 2 yrs ago. It never felt right and I had it checked many times. It seemed to be pacing ok. Finally after 6 months they x-rayed my chest and found the bottom wire was out. It was flopping around trying to pace me. They said it was very rare and they wanted copies of my x-rays to use for teaching purposes. It felt like a fish out of water flopping around in my chest....very uncomfortable. I had to have the surgery again to reattach the wire. I'm not sure how this happened. It was hard to keep my arm down. Believe me I kept it down and still the second time.As a result I ended up with a frozen shoulder...not fun..:( Good luck..I recommend keeping it down...I got a sling the second time.

Your Cardio Surgeon...

by navy_bill - 2012-01-17 12:01:52

...is your best answer. I was diagnosed with bradycardia in 2005, I was 59 at the time. There is some history behind this, but how about tackling your question for now. My pacer installer told me to not do any golfing or weightlifting overhead, other than that I was good to go right from the operating table. It generally takes a few months before the scar tissue builds sufficiently for the leads not to come out. Give it time and you will be just fine. Your cardiologist should tell you when your activities are no longer restricted. Live long and prosper!!!

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