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new ICD
I just got my Medtronic ICD implanted on October 3. Last night during the night I stretched my left arm over my head. I panicked and immediately put it down, but I am terrified that I messed something up. I see my doctor for a wound check on Friday. Anyone have this happen to them? It is hard adjusting to this!
10 Comments
Should be OK
by PacerRep - 2013-10-07 01:10:25
I doubt anybody ever batted 1000 when it comes to keeping that arm down, it happens, the key is just don't keep doing it. Raising your arm once does not mean that you dislodged the lead. If you feel fine, just wait until your friday check and have it looked at, they will be able to tell if anything is wrong, but I wouldn't sweat it.
yep
by Tracey_E - 2013-10-07 04:10:02
We've all done that a time or three. By the time they send us home, the odds of dislodging a lead are pretty small and the restrictions are mostly precaution. When I got my first one, I wasn't given any restrictions. When i had a lead replaced a few years ago, they said 4 weeks.
Be careful overusing the sling. While we aren't supposed to raise it high or lift, it's important to otherwise move the arm normally so the shoulder doesn't get frozen.
I slept hugging a small pillow with my left arm, kept me from raising it up or rolling on my sore side in my sleep.
Use a pillow
by Acin - 2013-10-07 04:10:02
Hello - Like TraceyE said; the pillow is so much more comfortable. That is what I did. I hated that sling. I too was so paranoid about raising my left arm and I know that I did by mistake several times. No damage - just discomfort. Hang it there - it does get better.
Should be fine
by Grateful Heart - 2013-10-07 06:10:58
We've all done it.
I vote for the pillow too. You don't want frozen shoulder.
Adjusting to your new normal takes a little time. Glad you found the site. Like Acin said, it gets better.
Acin.....look how far you've come!
Grateful Heart
new ICD
by katbrad1 - 2013-10-07 07:10:31
I am so thankful I found this site!! Thank you all so much!!
Bathrobe belt
by Marie12 - 2013-10-07 08:10:24
Right after I came home from my icd implant, I used a bathrobe belt tied around my waist and the other end around my wrist. This kept me in position of not putting my arm over my head without having to use a sling (they didn't even recommend that). I used it for the four weeks and after I stopped I noticed the area was hurting again so I used it for another week and since then everything has been fine. I did not find it disturbed my sleep at all.
New ICD
by katbrad1 - 2013-10-08 10:10:32
You all ROCK! Thanking God I found this site! I am 58. So definitely don't want to lose range of motion. Thank you all!
Lifting arm above head
by marrm - 2013-10-11 10:10:51
I was concerned about the same thing when I once lifted my arm before I was fully healed. My wires are fine. As for sleeping, the nurse in the hospital told me to wear a t-shirt to bed and keep the arm that should not be raised inside the t-shirt - don't put it through the armhole. This worked for me as I am one to put both hands under my head when I sleep. I did this for for four weeks. A little uncomfortable, but it kept my mind at ease.
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As for my pacemaker (almost 7 years old) I like to think of it in the terms of the old Timex commercial - takes a licking and keeps on ticking.
new ICD
by katbrad1 - 2013-10-07 01:10:07
thank you! I am using the sling they gave me from now on, especially when I sleep!!