Golf & Helath Club

I just got (12/17) my pacemaker. I've read comments from other pacemaker folks about golf and exercise activities. I'm an avid golfer (handicaps not great but I love the game) and really want to get back to the game soon. As well as the health club for weigh activities etc. Looks like golf will have to wait about 6 weeks or so. But, I'm not sure about bench presses and other weight lifting activities. I see a nurse next week to have the wound looked at. Then see the Dr. after the first of the year. Any suggestions from other pacemaker folks would be much appreciated!

2 Comments

Keep moving

by Theknotguy - 2014-12-21 01:12:42

The main thing they want is for the wound to heal and the body to incorporate (grow around) the leads. Until the wound has healed and your body has incorporated the leads you have to take it easy. Don't try to cheat, it won't work.

I'm left handed, so my PM is on the same side as the arm I use the most. I won't address your golf swing because I'm the complete opposite of you. We have others who are weight lifters on the forum and I'll let them chime in on that.

You'll want to keep moving. Walking the course with your golf buddies for the 4-6 weeks would be a good exercise as you've (hopefully walking and not riding) been doing that up to now. It would be a good time to practice putting. Maybe your friends drive one extra ball to the green and you putt out? Make sure you keep hydrated while on the course. Water is the best. Probably 9 holes at first. Retire to the club, have water with lemon, then do the next 9. To keep within your weight limit, only carry your putter. You'll pee a lot but it's better than passing out.

The main thing is for the body to incorporate (grow around) the leads. That takes time and you have to let the body do its work. If you do something you aren't supposed to, pulling the leads hurts like hell and you'll stop doing it. (Found that out the hard way - pulling leads that is.)

At cardio rehab they only let me do 1 to 3 pounds at first. Due to trauma, I didn't start cardio rehab until after 8 weeks so I'll let others chime in on how early to start. Exercises were very light with concentration on keeping the arm moving without stretching it too far. There was more emphasis on doing reps completely, not cheating, and going for a good workout without going to exhaustion. We only did three days a week with a rest day in between and weekends off. Once again, point being to keep moving without pulling the leads. Until your body adjusts, do a set of reps and then quit. You can go a maximum of about 1 to 1.5 hours at first - remember I was at 8 weeks. You may feel like doing more but don't. You should be able to feel the difference between doing a mild workout and pushing it. Now is not the time to push it.

Try not to raise your arm on the PM side - elbow doesn't go above the shoulder. Don't lift 10 pounds or over with the arm on the PM side. Don't worry, you'll forget. Just don't make it a habit. If you start to feel pain, stop.

If you pull the leads (and you probably will) they'll hurt like hell. Then you'll spend the next 6-8 weeks doing mild exercise while the body heals. Very frustrating, but necessary. They'll serve as a constant reminder of not paying attention and pushing too hard.

After the leads have been incorporated you'll probably be able to go back to almost 100% of what you did before. My PM is on the same side as my throwing arm. At one year I can throw the ball for the dog as hard as I want with no problems. But I wouldn't attempt pitching in a baseball game. The leads just wouldn't take that stress.

After a year, did 4.5 miles with the dogs, moved 2300 pounds of wood at the shop, and can do about six hours on my feet at the woodshop. So I'm very close to the 100% I was before getting the PM. Hope you can make it too.

Thanks

by btward - 2014-12-21 03:12:45

Thanks to everyone.

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I am 100% pacemaker dependant and have been all my life. I try not to think about how a little metal box keeps me alive - it would drive me crazy. So I lead a very active life.