4 weeks post

I found this website while I was in the hospital waiting for my PM implantation, but just joined today. Before being wheeled to the OR I was still looking at specs for different PM, since it was going to come down to a choice between 2.
I have St. Jude's dual chamber, set for 50-130.
The first week was spent freaking out about everything ( blood coming through the bandage, twinges in my chest) and realizing the freaking out not only was not helping, it was only bringing on anxiety, not something you want during this recovery,
I love the real, no nonsense, very helpful insights and comments here.
I need to add 8'weeks ago,I underwent major surgery which precipitated the diagnosis of heart block, which made me become bionic.
I was told 3 months for putting my arm up over my head, and no jerky back arm movements for good after that.
I do Pilates, so that may impact on what I can do.
How long does it take to have free range of motion for the PM side?
Is anyone else here doing Pilates and what adjustments have you had to make to your work out?
Thank you for any input,
BLIP ( aka Brave Little Pacemaker)

6 Comments

Pilates!

by lucyb - 2013-10-21 11:10:10

Hi Blip,

I had my first PM implanted three weeks ago, and I too am a Pilates devotee! I also swim laps and do yoga - not a great exercise repertoire for pacemaker recovery!! Haha.

I was told no lifting my left arm above shoulder height for 4 weeks and that I could do everything normally after 6 weeks, including swimming and yoga. I think I'm gonna hold off on the swimming and yoga for 8 weeks though, just to be safe.

I specifically asked about Pilates and was told that I could go back to doing Pilates after 2 or 3 weeks so long as I did not lift my arm above shoulder height or bear weight on that arm. The really great thing about Pilates is that it's so good for rehabilitation and any good Pilates instructor will be able to give you modifications based on your needs. I'm yet to do a class post-surgery yet, as I'm still working my way back up to my normal energy levels, but I'm guessing when I go back, I'll just skip most of the arm work and do right-handed side-planks instead of regular ones. I'll let you know how my first class back goes!

Every doctor is different - reading various posts on this site, it seems that the time-frames for arm lifting and range of movement range form 2 weeks to many months! 3 months does sound rather over-cautious though, as does "no jerky back arm movements for good" - I was definitely told that I could do everything with no restrictions after 6 weeks - it might be worth clarifying with your EP or pacemaker rep. Everyone is different, so there may be a good reason why you were given the instructions you were given, especially considering you've had other surgery and complications, but it's worth clarifying.

I hope you get back to Pilates soon!

Lucy.

Pilates soon!

by BLIP - 2013-10-22 07:10:56

Hi Lucy,
You're just behind me in terms of time!
I also do a little bit of Yoga, but mostly advanced intensive Pilates ( not so intensive at the moment, but soon!).
My cardio NP was familiar with Pilates and said the straight arm triceps pulses ( reformer with straps) are not going to be a good idea. I can live with that! Tons of other exercises.
I go to a really great studio but haven't started back there yet because of restrictions from my first surgery (abdominal).
How does your PM site look? I am short (5'3") and slim, so from a side angle, there is a little bit of a bump. Otherwise it's looking OK. Still healing with the scar, but it looks pretty good so far. It's 1 and 3/4 inch and considering the PM is 21/8 by 13/4, they squeezed it in there pretty well.
After the arm lift restrictions, I think Yoga and swimming will be perfect- they both have fluid motion.
I have another visit with my PM on 11/7 and I will bring my list of questions to address my exercise guidelines.
I need my endorphins back!
Hopefully soon after I can restart Pilates. For now I am doing some of the mat work at home, and it's definitely baby steps. I need my wonderful instructors!
We'll have to watch those right handed side planks! We need to be symmetrical😄.
Do keep me posted,
BLIP ( I decided to name my PM since I have to keep it)

exercise

by judyblue - 2013-10-22 08:10:27

My doc said no yoga for 2 months, and no running for "months". Truly I am not sure how long I am not supposed to put arm over head, I am almost 4 weeks out. Doc said sleep in sling for 3 weeks. I took this to mean I could raise arm after that, but I am still careful. It feels so good to stretch arm!
I so appreciate a discussion on these issues! Keep em coming!
Judy

good work!

by lucyb - 2013-10-22 10:10:26

Blip, I'm glad to hear you've been doing a bit of mat work at home - good work! I think I might start doing the same, before tackling a class. At the moment I'm still not back up to my normal energy levels and I'm finding that I get puffed easily, especially when I climb stairs. I can't wait till I'm back to normal! You are right about being symmetrical! haha. lucky for me, I'm left handed anyway, so my right arm could do with a bit of strengthening!

Your PM site sounds like it is looking pretty good! I just put a photo of mine in the member gallery, and as you can see, it's also a pretty small scar. It looks a bit icky now, because the surgical glue hasn't worn off yet and has discolored! But I think the scar will end up being pretty minimal. I too am slim, but they managed to bury the PM pretty deeply in my pec muscle, so I can't really see a bump... maybe just a slight contour near my underarm, but it's pretty hard even for me to tell!

You keep me posted too! I want to hear how your first pilates class goes! :)

Judy N, it might be worth calling your doc to ask for clarification on the 'down times' for arm lifting and exercise. 2 months for yoga sounds about right to me, but you should ask for clarification on the running "months".. I'm not a runner but I was under the impression it was fine to go back to running after a couple of weeks... not that I feel anywhere near good enough to even try a light jog at the 3 week mark.. But some lucky people are fast to recover from surgery I guess!!!

Running

by BLIP - 2013-10-23 02:10:51

Judy: you are right, there is so much variability in when and how we can do things, and I think Lucy worded it best:,we are all different with different etiologies and outcomes and our doctors give us directions for what is best for us.
That said, months for running seems long. I noticed from the postings on this site that many men have gone back to running fairly quickly. On the other hand, they don't need a sports bra when they run. Maybe it's the logistics of running with the PM and the "bounce"? I would specifically clarify that. And also we all have other underlying conditions that led us to this point - I would rather be over cautious than not. We don't get a do over in our healing process. We need to do it right the first time.
I also remember reading somewhere that studies have shown a pretty equivalent benefit for women from brisk walking as compared to running.
As far as arm restrictions-I was to told to "sling it" at night for 2 weeks and then no lifting elbow above my shoulder for 3 months, to be safe. And no pulling my arm way back for the same time frame.
I was also told to keep moving my arm as naturally as possible ( aha, that's an easy one :-)) so my shoulder does not freeze.
Sigh.
Lucy, it was very comforting to hear your energy levels are still not there- I thought it was just me.
And your scar looks very good! Mine is horizontal more than diagonal.
Hope you're starting some Pilates at home , too.
Let me know how it goes!
BLIP

Back to Pilates

by BLIP - 2013-12-23 03:12:26

Lucyb, I am back at my Pilates studio and love it.
My cardio released me to exercising with a caveat of not pulling more than 15 lbs.
My instructor and I had a good laugh when she checked all tensions on the springs and Reformer straps and even before my surgeries I was not pulling 15 lbs. And I have never used more than 4 lb weights.
I am doing one-on-one sessions for a few months until I get my core back to what it was (3 months' hiatus) and strengthen all my muscle groups.
My instructor is classically trained and she also has certification in rehab, and basically it's as if I am rehabbing my left shoulder. There definitely is more weakness there than on the right, but with having used my right side so much more that is not surprising.
She is basically designing a new program for me-I'm the first PM at the studio.
Over Thanksgiving we were in Hawaii and I went snorkeling without thinking about swimming in a strong current and really having to move my limbs. It went great - though I did feel my left arm more.
Still walking each day. It has been 3 months and I have noticed my energy level is almost all there. I take the stairs every time I can, and it feels so good to not run out of breath after a few flights.
Judy, I hope you are back to running, and feeling energetic again.
I am using the silicone strips on my scar to help,it heal. Is anyone ales using them? It seems to be helping, if anything protecting the incision site while I wear it.
I also have a shearling cuff on my seatbelt. That works great.
Lucy, let me know how your exercise program is going.
BLIP

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