Yay

I am happy to see that this is a current / active website. But I have a couple of questions. I see lots of questions posted but NO answers??? My other question is does anyone have experience with backpacking with a pacemaker? Seems like you wouldn't be able to do it and I hope that is not the case. Thank you.
Dami

2 Comments

comments

by Tracey_E - 2014-05-07 10:05:04

Not many questions go unanswered!

I backpack/hike every chance I get. My pm is a little lower and a little deeper than average, so the backpack straps never touch it. Tell your surgeon about your lifestyle so they can place the pm where it will get in the way the least. If it's under the pectoral rather than subcutaneous, it's not going to get in the way.

I saw on your other post you are considering the right side. Once it heals, you can sleep on whichever side you want. Very few people have trouble with seatbelts after they heal. Backpacks are more likely to cause problems long term if they do the usual placement just under the collarbone, just under the skin. For that, it won't matter if it's on the left or right. The solution is asking them to put it deeper/lower. I don't know if that's an issue or not on the right. I do know that the reason they usually put it on the left is because it's the easiest to run the leads to the heart from the left. Just my opinion, take it with a grain of salt, but I'd go deeper on the left rather than the right. Mine is submammary, put in low enough that a tank top covers the scar. I sleep on my left. I don't even know it's there, can barely feel the edges of it if I poke around looking for it.

Carrying a backpack and other items

by Enrique - 2014-05-07 12:05:49

I have had my PM for 9 years. I go hiking every Summer carrying a backpack. I have never had a problem.

Still, I would wait until the place of insertion has healed before using anything with a strap around that area.

I have my PM on the left side. I sleep on both sides and I never give it any thought.

Restrictions with a PM?
-No contact sports...I am in my 60's and too old for that anyway.
-Some weight lifting raising my left arm...this depends on the position of the leads, for you it may be different, they can tell you about this.
-No MRI's (maybe, I have an old model)
-And going through security in airports is a pain.

My daily activities hardly changed. I feel great.

You know you're wired when...

Like the Energizer Bunny, you keep going.

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