going back to work

I am getting a pacemaker in August. The Dr. told me that there is a two week recovery period but later I started to wonder if I will actually be able to go back to work then. I am a 53 yr old in-patient hospital pharmacy technician and the work is extremely physical and stressful. It includes lifting heavy things, pushing heavy carts and running all over the hospital non stop and am on my feet all day. Should I be prepared to be off longer than two weeks?. I try to call my doctors office to ask them this so I know approximately how long to ask off for and also if I need to file for disability etc. The nurse has not called me back and its been a few days which is nothing new with this medical group. I had the same problem when having surgery on my shoulder and feet (all work related) Any advice would be appreciated

8 Comments

depends

by ohiolaura - 2013-07-10 10:07:25

I suppose it all depends on you.Can you go back part time,limited maybe,just to see how you do?
I guess everyones different,just would depend on how you do with it all,surgery,recovery and how you are before surgery and after.
I went back to work 10 days after,thought I was ready,but wasn't totally.Then I took off another 2 weeks,and then I was better.
I work in a salon,do nails and hair,couldnt do hair as I couldn't raise my arm for 6 weeks.It varies from one to another I suppose.
Keep asking,see what else others say.
Laura

Back to work

by Jax - 2013-07-10 11:07:13

I went back to work after 10 days-- but it actually took me longer to recover. After 2-2-1/2 weeks I was good. I was exhausted all the time. Everyone is different. I guess when you feel more yourself i would wait another few days and then try it... But don't be surprised if you need more time especially if yr job is sooo physical. If you can't try it .... I would plan for a little extra time off.

thanks

by rebelsoul - 2013-07-10 11:07:31

Oh it sounds like it may be more than 2 weeks for me then. No there isn't really any thing limited that I can do. The work is non stop kaos. It's hard enough just to get out on time never mind doing light duty lol. They wouldn't put me on part time either. Being a pharmacy tech is what caused me to have shoulder surgery last year, surgery on both feet a few years ago and surgery on both hands before that. So it is very intense. Also compounding with a motor and pestle using a lot of shoulder action. I did hair and nails years ago. I can see how that would be hard having your arm up all that time and working on the nails, filing them. Thanks for sharing your experience. It gives me an idea of what I'm looking at, joni

Hi reb

by Shepheart - 2013-07-10 11:07:43

I was 58 when I got my pm last fall. My job is quite physical. The surgeon signed a note saying I was to be off work for 2 weeks. I was not ready after that time, I had some other issues so I got an extension. The work place insurance coverage said it was standard for them to give 4 weeks off for pacemaker implantation for my type of work. Hope that helps.

1 week should be good.

by Tcobb89 - 2013-07-11 02:07:57

I am 24. I had open heart surgery, new valve and a pacemaker put in back in 2010. The pace maker wound and soreness was gone within a week. The only directions you will have is not to lift anything over 20 lbs, raise your arms, (which ever side they are putting in) up above your head. Pushing carts and things like that will be the same, 1 week and thats it. I am younger and they always say younger heals quicker than others, but i promise you that this procedure will be fine and easy to cope with… No disability will be necessary… I would take 1 pain med. every 4 hours for the first 4 days, that also helps you heal quicker also. once they put mine in I didn't even know it was there… no scaring either. I hope you do good and that this helps a lot...

at least a month

by KathyB - 2013-07-11 10:07:07

I agree with Angrysparrow, 2 weeks is not enough time. I am a nurse in a critical care unit and my doc told me at least 4 weeks. I went back after 4 and I was very careful when lifting patients or pulling for fear that I could move a lead. It took me another week after I went back to work to feel like there was nothing wrong with me. If they could put you on limited duty for 2 weeks then going back after 2 weeks would work. Hope you find your answer among all of us.

Everyone is Different

by bearss27 - 2013-07-11 11:07:39

I feel each person is very different on there recovery and age doesn't really make a difference cause my doc is making me take two months off and wouldn't even let me drive for over 1week. He still seems to have me on a very limited activity level. I am only 24 years old even though I feel alot better than I ever have my arm still bothers me when I just move it around to much and the doc told me no lifting with that arm and not over like 10pounds with the other for two months. I feel my doc is being alittle over cautious but I would rather be more cautious than mess something up. I just try to pay attention to what my body tells me and when I get tired I rest and try to just do what my doc tells me. I was working as a cashier and the doc won't write a return to work note until at least two month and gave my job a note saying that I needed off until further notice so that it wasn't a set date so he would judge by how I was doing at two months. Now I do take into consideration each doc is different on there opinions but a good doc will go not just by a set general rule but also by how the patient feels and is recovering. I just take each day as it comes and just lisen to what my body tells me and feels thats a good idea. Just dont stress to much about everything.
Mary Katherine

healing time

by LisB - 2013-07-11 12:07:51

My opinion: I just had my pacemaker put in about 3 weeks ago. There is no way I could push or lift heavy objects. I was in pretty good shape before the pacemaker (it was an emergency procedure as I had 3rd degree heart block) and I'm 61. I feel pretty good, but get sore and am still healing inside and out. So, a month sounds right to me. I have a sedentary job, so I'm back at work, but I sure don't want to clean the house when I get home. I wish you the best.

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In fact after the final "tweaks" of my pacemaker programming at the one year check up it is working so well that I forget I have it.