New Pacemaker

Hello, I am a new pacemaker recipient, two leads. I had my surgery three weeks ago. How long is the recovery process and what are some restrictions on exercise?

7 Comments

Check with your Dr.

by bluebowtye - 2014-02-25 03:02:12

Hi quickclick. I am a very new PM recipient too. My surgery was last Monday. I also have 2 leads. As far as the recovery process and exercising I think it is best to check with your Dr. to see what he/she thinks is best for YOU. We are all different and what works for one may not be best for another. From what I hear recovery times vary. Some people feel better right away while others need more time. I personally have had some good days and some not so good to where I don't feel right at all. I think the more rest you can get the better as you want to take things slowly so your body can adjust. As far as exercising goes I think a lot depends on how active you were before, what kind of exercises you do and most of all how you feel. I was told I can start walking right away but I live in IA on a gravel road and since it's winter my Dr. does not want me out on the snowy icy roads as he does not want me to fall down. He told me yesterday I can start slowly riding my exercise bike but as of yet I have not felt up to it. I was told to not lift my left arm above my head and no lifting anything heavier than 10 pounds for a month so weight lifting of any kind is out of the question for awhile. Please consult with your Dr. before attempting any sort of exercise program as you don't want to pull the leads out and have to go through surgery all over again. I wish you the best of luck! Take care.
~Sheila

all dr different

by wjs1954 - 2014-02-25 04:02:21

Guess mine is pretty liberal. I also had a two lead pacemarker yesterday, hospital and doctor said don't take it to easy. Get out, get moving! Have a treadmill and exercise bike at home be on the bike tomorrow and outsidefor a walk. Probably not be doing much have to see how it goes. Little sore today bur outthan that feel great !!
I would go with what the doctor says, i was pretty active prior to late November when i went to the Dr.

Four to six weeks

by Theknotguy - 2014-02-25 04:02:26

Depending upon the amount of trauma you received before getting the PM determines the amount and kind of exercise you can do. Typical time is four to six weeks before you can lift your elbow above your shoulder on the PM side. You shouldn't lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk (8 pounds) on the PM side unless in an emergency. You shouldn't use the arm on the PM side to pull yourself from a chair or support yourself on that arm.

Everyone forgets and lifts their arm over their head. Everyone forgets and lifts something more than eight pounds. Everyone forgets and uses the arm to push themselves up. If you do, don't get concerned, just don't make it a habit.

You will want to keep the arm gently moving on the PM side. If you don't you'll get a stiff shoulder and it will slow down your rehab. Notice I said "gently" move the arm. No sudden or jerky movements. Shouldn't lift anything more than a 1/2 liter of water with the arm on the PM side. If you do anything you aren't supposed to, it will hurt enough to let you know you shouldn't have done that.

I was moving a three pound bar and stretched too far. Pulled my leads and it hurt. Didn't do that again. Also didn't damage the leads. In most cases you get a warning before you actually damage something.

Bluebowtie is correct, you don't want to fall because of ice and snow. So if you're in an area where you have a lot of ice and snow you may want to confine your walking to the inside of shopping malls. Several of the malls in my area have programs for "walkers". You may want to contact them and see what's available in your area. If your medical insurance company will allow cardiac rehab, I strongly suggest that.

You'll want to get moving and keep moving as quickly as possible. You don't want to go home and just sit. That's the worst thing you can do.

You'll also notice all sorts of tickles, tingles, thumps, bumps, and assorted funny feelings. That's normal for a person adjusting to a foreign object in their body. As long as you don't have a lot of pain, aren't running a fever, and aren't dizzy or light headed, you're probably OK. You can always post a message on this forum and get an answer if you feel something and are concerned.

There is almost nothing in the typical home environment that will affect the pacemaker. So you don't have to worry about refrigerator magnets, home wireless, your short wave radio, regular radio, cable TV box, electric drills, mixers, microwaves, induction cooking, nintendo games (and the like), remote car starters, 110 volt power cords, and almost anything else. Most of the warnings you see are CYA by the manufacturers attorneys.

You don't want to shower directly on the PM site scar until after the scab is healed. To take a shower you can cover the site with a dry wash cloth then pat it dry. If you're like me it will hurt enough and you won't want anything on it. After the scab heals you can put water directly on it. But once again, if you're like me, you won't want anything on the PM site scar.

You've got a lot of living to do. Get out and enjoy it.

Theknotguy

Get active

by jhayes002 - 2014-02-25 10:02:16

I have been an active racquetball player before and after my ICD implant. Stay positive, carpe Diem, and listen to your body. When I am playing racquetball, if I need a time out I call it. catch my breath and then get after again.

Keep depression at bay by getting off the couch and go for a walk.I went to the local track and jogged the corners and walked the straights. Increase your laps over time. your confidence will build and you will forget about that damn thing.

Never miss your meds.

JimmyHayes

New Pacemaker

by quickclick - 2014-02-26 06:02:28

Thanks for all the good responses. This is my third week, today, of receiving the PM. I have had some minor chest pains, which I did take some nitro for. I also take a pain pill for some of the pain.
As far as exercise, I am a on and off pool aerobic participant, but that is due to having cataract surgery on both eyes over the last month.
I was told by the nurse who took off my surgical bandage that I could start taking showers, which was two weeks ago. Like you say, each doctor's instructions are different. I was told about the arm movement and not to drive for a month. Luckily, my wife is a great help and can drive.
Receiving the pacemaker was a bit of a shock that I needed it. I started with my heart problems in March 2012. I was put on warfarin, had ablations, 2012, on both sides of my heart and was during well on my regimen. I still had extra beats and skipped beats over the next year and my heart rate was in the 50's most of the time. I went into AFIB three weeks ago, 12 hours before I went to the hospital. I had a heart cath the day after I was admitted, had only around 30% blockage, but when I returned to sinus rhythm my heart rate was in the mid to high 40's and sometimes in the high 30's. There were no medications involved in keeping the rate low. Glad I was close to the hospital.
I am also glad there is this web site to converse with people with the same situation. Thank you quickclick.


Medic Alert Bracelet

by quickclick - 2014-02-28 12:02:49

How many PM users wear a medic alert bracelet to notify emergency provides that you have an implant?

The comments help!

by Kaitland - 2014-03-09 12:03:30

I am in the process of scheduling a pacemaker and reading these comments have helped me so much! I am active too and have been concerned about continuing spinning classes, elliptical, and weights and recovery in general. So happy to find this site!

You know you're wired when...

Your electric tooth brush interferes with your device.

Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.