New pacemaker

Just had a pacemaker two days ago due to 6 second pauses when heart stopped. Heart stopped during tests on Wednesday and taken into surgery the next morning. So I don't know make, model, etc yet. I do have a Biotronik device beside my bed that at 3:00am each morning it transmits data from my pacemaker to a data base for review every morning. Any advice on what I definitely should not be doing now. I am doing practically nothing to give scar tissue time to build up around the leads and device to help keep them in place so I won't have problems later. I am still in shock having to get one. I was having syncope while driving. I hope this corrects that too. So far I can't tell any difference. .?.How are the rest of youbdealingvwithnthis?

3 Comments

Recovery

by ElectricFrank - 2012-10-15 01:10:35

Doing nothing is asking for a frozen shoulder. Just keep the pacemaker arm below shoulder level, but otherwise do some gentle rotations with it to keep it flexible.

Otherwise, get back to regular, but gentle activities as soon as they aren't too painful.

At 2 days I was out walking 3 miles/day, and started bouncing around the desert in my four wheel drive.

With the pacemaker you shouldn't have any more pauses or syncope. If you do contact the doc for a followup adjustment.

Things should be pretty well healing in 3-6 weeks depending on where they implanted the device.

You didn't mention having any problems sleeping, but if the incision is sore when laying on your side try this. Sleep on the side opposite the pacer and put an extra pillow in front of you to support the upper arm. This keeps the upper arm from falling down and squeezing the incision.

bet wishes,

frank

healing

by Tracey_E - 2012-10-15 10:10:03

As Frank said, don't be afraid to get moving again! I was walking the day I was released from the hospital. All you need to do to protect the leads is avoid lifting anything heavy and don't raise the left arm above shoulder level for 6 weeks. Anything else is fine. If you don't move, your shoulder will freeze up.

Don't drive until the dr clears you. If syncope was your biggest symptom before, I'd expect you to feel about the same overall, but without the passing out.

3 weeks of healing

by grittygrammy - 2012-10-20 06:10:42

My symptoms were similar to yours. I did baby my left arm for a week although I was using it below elbow level. Since I did not have much pain to speak of I really had to watch it. I have no problem at this point scratching the top of my head but I do still keep the arm down most of the time. Put dishes in the cabinet at eye level with no problem (3 weeks). I had to sleep in a sling with it attached to my waist because on day 4 I woke up with my arm resting on my forehead. I am going by the book and no lifting over 10 lb. and no repetitive big arm movements as in sports or swimming. This PM has made me feel so much better and I want the healing to occur with no hitches so I can get on with being active again. I drove my car at one week. Every doctor has different ways but all similar on the healing part. Best of luck and health to you. Pat

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My eight year old son had a pacemaker since he was 6 months old. He does very well, plays soccer, baseball, and rides his bike. I am so glad he is not ashamed of his pacemaker. He will proudly show his "battery" to anyone.