PLEASE HELP

A one-wire-pacemaker were planted on me on 23/09/2013.At this stage I don't know all the musts and must nots.

Can somebody perhaps assist me because I am still stupid as far as this is concerned.

Thanks.

8 Comments

sleeping

by Tracey_E - 2013-10-14 01:10:20

You can sleep on your left side as soon as it's comfortable.

We can go through metal detectors, we'll just set them off so it's best not to do it. 3D scanners at the airport are ok. We should avoid the wands they sometimes use when you don't go through a metal detector, they can mess with the settings. If someone tries to use one, below the waist only, be very adamant about not letting it near your torso.

Most welding is ok, just don't arc weld.

Unless your device is mri-compatible, you can't have an mri.

recovery

by Tracey_E - 2013-10-14 09:10:36

It takes a while to get the hang of all this, not starting off an expert does not make you stupid!

Did you get post-op instructions from your surgeon? It varies but most of us are told no heavy lifting or raising the left arm (assuming it's implanted on the left) higher than shoulder level for 4-6 weeks.

PLEASE HELP

by DIRK - 2013-10-14 10:10:41

Many thanks for your comment Tracey.

All that the surgeon told me was that I am not allowed to do welding. The ward sister told me about the lifting of the left arm and that I am not allowed to go through a metal detector.

Could you please tell me if I am allowed to sleep on my left side. (I am asking this because I heard that it is prohibited.)

Thanks.

Left side...

by lbdina - 2013-10-14 11:10:11

Hi Dirk.

I am finally sleeping on my left side, but it is still a little uncomfortable. My muscles move and flex, but the PM doesn't. It was at least 6 weeks before I started sleeping on my left side, and it still is not as comfortable as it used to be. I found sleeping on my back and right side easier.

I'm not aware of any prohibitions against sleeping on the left side, but you might want to give it some time. If you can eventually play golf, tennis, go skydiving, etc, I can't see that sleeping on your left side would be a problem.

BTW, Arc Welding is one of those things that is generally discouraged, especially if voltages are high. You can do a search for "welding" this site (Search button in upper right) and see many previous posts on the subject.

Lou

You found a great site for info

by KAG - 2013-10-14 12:10:38

You can do searches (see upper right corner of page) on newbies, new, learning, etc and you'll find lots of info. All of us were newbies at one time and over time have learned a lot. Probably more about hearts and PMs than we ever wanted to know. Also the abbreviations list will help, on the left middle side of site.

It's helpful if you have questions to tell us why you got your PM, low HR, Sick Synus Syndrome, AV Block? Any meds you're on? Mine was due to total AV block which came on very suddenly. Got my PM in June.

Also I found it very helpful to learn about my PM, type, modes and settings. You can get a copy of your PM interrogation report which has all this, and more, info. They usually set your device to settings which are OK for many people but if you're active you may need to get your settings adjusted to support your activity level. I'm 58 and was OK when moving around the house but got SOB and fatigued when doing more strenuous stuff. A simple tweak to my UTR fixed it and I've been good so far.

It took a while to heal from the surgery and get back into my routine, about 6weeks I'd guess, and now I very seldom think about it. Only when I get in certain positions or I'm lifting something heavy I'll feel it and may get a twinge, but nothing I can't ignore.

So ask questions, and get back to your normal routine as soon as possible.

Kathy

PLEASE HELP

by DIRK - 2013-10-15 03:10:17

Many many thanks to IBDINA, KAG and TaceyE for your helpful comments.

What I forgot to mention is that I got a pacemaker because of a ARTICULAR FIBRILATION, in other words my heartbeat were low and high and low and high.

Ibdina I agree with you. At this stage it is very uncomfortable when I sleep on my left side. After a while I experience that my left shoulder is beginning to ache.

Ibdina you are touching a point that I wondered about. "Playing golf". I assume I will be able to play golf again after the pacemeker has "settled".

Another question, if I may : "Where do I get some or other proof that a pacemaker was inplanted?" I am asking this bacuase after time the wound will heal and the will be no marks anymore. It might happen that somebody don't believe me when I refuse to do "something" that can affect my pacemaker.

Thanks again.

golf

by Tracey_E - 2013-10-15 11:10:30

I live in an area that is HUGE for golf (we are between PGA and LPGA headquarters and have the highest number of golf courses per capita in the US) so my dr has a special part in his instructions for golf. Putts and chips are fine as soon as you feel up to it, wait 3 months for a full swing.

Did they give you a temporary id card when you left the hospital? I got one in the envelope with the warranty and instruction manual. A few weeks later the permanent card came in the mail. But odds are pretty good nothing will come up that you can't do! In 20 years the only time I've needed my card was federal buildings in DC, they are crankier than airports. I always pull my card out at the airport but no one ever looks at it.

PLEASE HELP

by DIRK - 2013-10-15 11:10:35

Thanks very much Tracey

I will enquire with my docter about an id card and instruction manual. When I left the hospital I only recieved the prescription for my medication for the next 6 months.

I will give the golf a fear chance before I start again.

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