First Dr. follow up visit

Well, I had my 4 week checkup with my Dr today. He said no continuing my job as a massage therapist. He said too risky of pulling leads out. He also said that I will have a limit of lifting only up to 20 lbs for the rest of my life. My heart is 100% pacemaker dependent for the bottom part of my heart. I am also having a lot of what feels like atrial flutter especially on exertion. He says give it some time before we look into a-fib issue. I have that "clicking" feeling a lot when I lean forward, and feel full quickly when I eat, with a lot of belching to follow. I am really trying to keep a positive attitude, but it feels like I have dove off into a canyon of limitations and possible more side effects to deal with this thing. Forgive me for whining here, just a little down tonight. I know that I am still a blessed woman.

5 Comments

Worse than ridiculous!

by donr - 2012-08-11 01:08:59

I took a Jeep Cherokee in the right shoulder at 35 mph a mere 9 weeks post-op.

I darned near wound up in the rubbish bin of history while my PM & leads acted like the Energizer Bunny!

Unless this guy knows something we don't know, he's worse than an old woman in attitude.

After all, you aren't going to be rassling alligators or polar bears!

Do what he says till you feel stable then go for a second opinion.

Don

Hi,

by Gellia3 - 2012-08-11 07:08:03

I'm with the rest on this. I've had a PM for 37 years now and I don't think there is anything in life I've missed.

As for massage therapy, I don't think having a horse drag you around, trying to ride but falling off more often than not (and a bad fall two weeks post implant), is any worse than doing a massage.

And, 20pounds? Oh, my. I am glad that's not my dr cause I've lifted far heavier than that since my implant. I still pick up my 80# granddaughter with no problem and certainly have lifted far more than that in the past 37years.

Once those leads are scarred into place it takes alot to get them to move at all. That's assuming they were placed properly to begin with.

Once you have given yourself time to heal really well, say a couple of months or so, ask your dr again why he thinks the leads could come out with massage therapy. If he still gives you the same answer, I'd be with Frank and asking about how confident he is in the way he placed them.

GOOD LUCK. Just having a PM shouldn't keep you from doing the job you love.

Best to you,
Gellia

Ridiculous

by ElectricFrank - 2012-08-11 12:08:35

I suggest asking the doctor what he did wrong with your implant that he is so worried about your doing massage. I don't have a very good feeling about this guy.

Basically all that is required is to avoid raising the pacer side arm above shoulder level for a few weeks. (3-8 weeks depending on cardiologist) and don't do sudden heavy lifts with it. I'm not a professional massage therapist, but have done lots of it. Use your knowledge of the body to take care of yourself while you work back up to full level. You might want to avoid large or obese clients for a while. I remember giving my wife a massage about 4 weeks after back surgery. My suggestion is to give it about 6 weeks and then try giving a friend a massage where you can see how it feels.

good luck,

frank

Life goes on

by novie - 2012-08-13 01:08:57

I had my PM last May 24, 2012 due to sick sinus syndrome...my HR 30/min...believe me if not for the ECG..I will not have this...but thanked God I did....anyway,I was back in ER less than a month later due to atrial fibrillation HR 160/min and my heart fluttered at the same time. God, I thought I was dying...first time I ever been scared in my life....I am now taking Bisoprolol plus baby aspirin as my maintenance plus lipitor at night (high cholesterol runs in the family)...and I've been doing great....so far....
I am a 50 years old and work as a cashier in a big grocery chain here in Canada....just imagine me lifting bags of groceries for 40 hours a week..yap!!! The work pace( I'm a very fast worker) that I've done in the past is still the same after the PM implant.
I am back to brisk walking, yoga,aerobics, dancing combo just to keep me going....I am taking it easy on my weights though....just listen to your body....gradually, you'll get back to what you love doing the most...it is always nice to have a second opinion from another doctor....still it's up to you
take care
novie

ditto ditto ditto

by Tracey_E - 2012-08-13 09:08:37

Sounds extreme to me, I'd get another opinion. I lift over 20 lbs all the time, been paced 20 years now

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