Yoga and more

Hi PMC members,
I am now one week into life with a pacemaker. I knew I had a slow heartbeat just not aware how low is was getting until I was recently rejected for minor foot surgery. My heart rate was 33 at the time. Three weeks later I had the pacemaker procedure, which was painless. I was awake and given a local, spent one night in the hospital for observation and now delighted at the age of 66 to have the possibility of a healthier body. I'm now sleeping much better. Maybe my expectations are too high just not feeling the energy boost I had anticipated. I look forward to the new me in the near future but have some concerns as to how long before I can start back into yoga and weight bearing exercises etc. I appreciate any comments concerning other's energy level after the surgery. Thanks in advance.

5 Comments

One week Post-op - Hmmmmm...

by donr - 2013-09-21 08:09:41

Judi: Please go to the search button, top right corner of page. Search for "Some tough love for newbies," & read it.

At 66, you are not going to spring back like a teenager from any surgery, even this relatively minor procedure.

Digest what I wrote in the message in the archives, then consider your concerns about exercise.

I'm a few yrs older than you are (77) & rec'd my PM at 66, same as you. HR was nearly the same (36) when I had the PM. Bounced back fairly rapidly from that one to my normal living. We all do not bounce back that fast, so expect it to take whatever it takes. Look forward to a full recovery, gently push the boundaries of your capabilities & it should all come back.

I was one of the lucky ones, I came home from the hosp & other than being a bit sore, resumed my normal level of activity.

Don

exercise

by Tracey_E - 2013-09-21 08:09:53

Check with your dr first but I was told no arm above the shoulder or weight over 20 pounds for 6 weeks, anything else is ok. After that, ease back into whatever I want. I started walking the day I got home, added recumbent bike and some lower body exercises a few weeks later. It took me about 3 months to get back to my full routine with weights, push ups, etc without any discomfort at all.

We're all different in how fast we get our energy back. Surgery was only a week ago. Even though it was minor and you came through it very well, it is still an adjustment for your body. Who knows how long your rate had been down, which is hard on your body. As you feel better and sleep better, your energy should return.

Are you tired all the time or just on exertion? If it's on exertion, the settings may need tweaked a bit.

Expectations too high

by Cobpop - 2013-10-07 03:10:48

I would say you should take the first 30 days to rest and reflect on how lucky you are to have a pacemaker.

There will be time for yoga and exercise once you've given your body the time it needs to heal.

Six months after my implant I trained for my first half marathon. Now six races later I am running four miles three days a week and swim a mile at least 1 or 2 days a week.

If you like yoga there should be time for that in the near future.

Good Information

by Joey1953 - 2013-12-08 08:12:04

TraceyE, donr, & Cobpop you have given me new hope. I go my PM on 11/3 (?) and because of being so out of breath and on top of that obese I was basically a couch potato, I lost 50 lbs before PM and was feeling that I was ready to start exercising again now I am afraid to do much of anything, thinking the PM will move or some other thing. Your posts are positive and for that I want to thank you. Anyone from New York?

Good Information

by Joey1953 - 2013-12-08 08:12:04

TraceyE, donr, & Cobpop you have given me new hope. I go my PM on 11/3 (?) and because of being so out of breath and on top of that obese I was basically a couch potato, I lost 50 lbs before PM and was feeling that I was ready to start exercising again now I am afraid to do much of anything, thinking the PM will move or some other thing. Your posts are positive and for that I want to thank you. Anyone from New York?

You know you're wired when...

You’re officially battery-operated.

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Since I got my pacemaker, I don't pass out anymore! That's a blessing in itself.