elbow by my head

Peanut40,

My PM was implanted on 02/12. I'm still using the sling, but only as a reminder or when I sleep because I'm used to sleeping on my left side with my arm underneath my pillow, straight up! I did good in the first couple nights, with a lot of pillows around me to limit my movement too, but the past three nights I found my elbow by my head, actually, my ear, when I woke up, even with a sling...I think I woke up because my sling kind of choked me when I raised my arm too high...

A lady on this site told me she use her son's tie and tied her wrist loosely with her waist. I'm going to try that tonight.

I, too, am worried if my leads can get dislocated. Is it possible that rather than pulling the leads out, we might make the leads moved away from the touching points they should be? My EP told me because the leads didn't send back the signals they wanted, so they "redid" the lead placement. My surgery took more than 3 hours...

Other than that, I think I'm doing fine. Waiting for the 02/25 appointment to tell me that I can finally take my shower and drive! I went back to work on the 18th. In fact, I wanted to go back to work on the 16th but I didn't want my husband to drive in the bad weather.

This site has equipped me with a lot of useful information and courage to face the PM. Thank you. It's Lunar New Year time. Happy Year of Goat!

新年快樂 恭喜發財 身體健康

(not sure if the Chinese characters can display correctly. They mean: Happy New Year! May you have abundant healthy and wealth!)


Michelle

5 Comments

Oh no!

by etmichelleh - 2015-02-19 07:02:54

The Chinese characters can't be displayed correctly! Sorry, folks.

Michelle

Don't worry about leads

by Theknotguy - 2015-02-19 08:02:18

Telling you to not lift your arm over your head is to give the body time to heal. What they are worried about is someone going home, going back to regular activities and never giving the body time to heal. Mostly it's a precaution.

I did pull my leads but it was about 90 days out and I was throwing the ball for the dog. Pushed it a little too hard and ended up paying for it.

Raising your arm while you are asleep isn't putting enough strain on the leads or the tips to pull them out unless they were going to come out anyway.

They were telling me not to use my left arm to pull myself up but I had a re-separated shoulder on the right side and a broken rib so I had no choice at times but to use my left arm. No problem.

So there is some leeway in using your left arm and waking up with your arm over your head probably isn't going to hurt.

Stop the worrying and start getting on with your life. With the PM you've got a lot of living to do.

Thanks.

by etmichelleh - 2015-02-19 09:02:57

Theknotguy and Angrysparrow 1,

Thank you. Every time when I read your own experience, I remind myself how little my problem is, well, was. Thanks for sharing your experience to help me.

I'm 47, though sometimes I wish I could go back to under 35. I'm still trying to keep active and live my normal life. Actually, my husband worries if I am too "actively" using my left arm. I just avoid lifting or pulling heavy things with my left arm. That's why I sometimes need to have my sling to remind myself to slow down or to remind people not to bump into me in the office. (I walk fast and make my turns without looking around :) ) But except for the bed time, I probably won't use it over an hour a day.

I remember weeks ago when I came here, I was worried if I would get tired or weak, but I washed my hair in the garage sink and started doing housework the day I came out of the hospital. Just writing it down for new people as a reference.

I do feel some dull pain or funny feelings from my site, so I keep researching on this forum to understand more. But overall, I feel fine. I stopped taking my pain killer when I was in the hospital.

Michelle

Wow

by ShanB - 2015-02-20 09:02:34

I am impressed with your quick bounce back from the surgery. I'm 41 and am a week out and I'm struggling sleeping as I simply cannot lay in any position but my back. There's just too much pain still. But with my other chronic autoimmune illness the dr said my revivery will be much slower. I tried today to do more around here. The dishes, the laundry. I took my first shower. And I'm laying for it. I am using my left arm. Just not raising it far up.
Anyway, I wouldn't worry too much about pulling the leads out. It would take a lot of force I am told to do so. Just follow your body's cues. You know pretty much your limits.
Hugs and good luck.
Shannon

elbow/ head

by Peanut40 - 2015-02-20 11:02:29

etmichelleh

Our implatation and check up dates are pretty much the same. Give or take a day here or there.

I believe there is alot of anxity that comes along with what we have gone though. Some of the informatiom in the discharge papers can be worrisome.Like I am never going to be able to do that or thats the only way I know how.

Personally I tought I could never sleep on my right side, last couple nights found out I can.Sleeping like that seems to keep my left arm by my side. Sometimes mind over matter.

I am 51, On Feb. 9, 2015 went in to cardic arrest at work. Thanks to fellow coworkers, EMTs and the good lord, I am here to be telling you this.

Keep updates and concerns coming in.It helps alot to have a site like this to have people to talk to that have been there done that. I know i am. Take care and God Bless.

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