Returning to Work

Hello, I just got my pacemaker about 4 days ago. I am 42 y/o the nurses in the hospital kept saying I am too young--I think it upset my wife--she didn't like the comments. I am adjusting --I have a great and supportive wife. I am in pain right now---I am taking some over the counter tablets for the pain. My question is --When is the typical time to return to work. My wife took me for a ride yesterday to enjoy the weather---the route we took was very bumpy and thus my pain has increase--I was looking at returning to work tomorrow but--I was wondering should I take off some more days to allow my body to adjust and return to work next week. I am glad I found this site since I am not a member of facebook and wanted to join a support group.

6 Comments

Depends

by Zia - 2012-04-01 06:04:37

in part on what kind of work you do. What did your doctor say about it? Everyone is different, but they should have given you some instructions based on your particular case.

Healing

by Foofyden - 2012-04-01 07:04:16

Not sure what you do for work, that is a big factor. You had a surgery so there is a healing time there, sounds like you are still feeling a lot of pain and what about your arm movement? Is it moving well enough to drive ( assuming you need to drive to work). My job is fairly physical and involves lots of driving, I went back 18 days post implant, and had to modify some aspects of my job. If you need more healing time listen to your own body you will find what you can do improves daily. Best of luck to you,

young

by Rodlyn - 2012-04-01 07:04:49

I was 37 at first pacer implant. I too was constantly being told I was too young! I'm glad you found this web site as you will learn there are alot of young people who have pacemakers now. Years ago it was not really an option for real young people. I am also new to this site and was very humbled by some of the stories from the young people in their 20's. Also hearing from the parents of kids with Pacemakers. I am an RN and waited 6 weeks before returning to work with the initial implant. My job had alot of heavy lifting back then. That was along time ago. I waited 2 weeks with the replacement surgeries. I know it is improtant to allow the leads to implant securely over time so check with your MD about this. You don't want to go back too soon.

Took me 8 weeks...

by TLR - 2012-04-01 09:04:53

But I was ready well before that. I could have gone back on restricted duties at a couple of days, but my employers were stubborn and wouldn't let me back for 8 weeks. I was then on restricted duties for a further 4 months waiting to get back to it properly. Wasn't fully operational for over 6 months.

Hard times but boy did I enjoy my 8 weeks off. Went to the gym, went out for walks, out on the motorbike, etc..

back to work

by manaman - 2012-04-02 11:04:19

Depends on the type of work you do. Your doctor should be the deciding factor (unless you are self employed). If you are in pain now I do not think I would force the going back to work issue. I've had 3 PM installed over the past 20 years and I found (the hard way) the more you ease into going back to work the better you do in the long haul. I worked maintenance work in a mfg. facility and my employer would NOT let me back into the plant until I got doctors clearance. Because I worked around a lot electro-magnetic stuff it took a bit longer because I actually had to walk the plant and see what affected the PM and I was restricted from those area by doctors (didn't sit well with boss). Biggest issue with me (I think) was the arm movement (hard to have free time and not be able to cast with opposite arm)
Anyway, don't rush it! The decision you make now WILL come into play later on.
Cecil

Listen to your body

by bjbumblebee - 2012-04-02 12:04:36

I was 18 when I had my first pacemaker, I'm now 51 and thee weeks ago had 3 lead extractions and 2 new leads and a new generator implanted. I was not able to drive for 5 days so I didn't go back to work until the 6th day and that was for 2 hours and then 4 hours the 7th day. Then I returned full time but I have an office job. I have had to restrict lifting for 30 days. The PM site was sore for the first week but my shoulder is still sore from the doctors pushing on it in order to pull out the old leads. I think your recovery depends alot on what kind of health you were in prior to the surgery.

Bonnie

You know you're wired when...

You have a little piece of high-tech in your chest.

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