going back to work

I had a st jude pacemaker implanted on 1/29/15 and now it's time for me to go back to work. I'm a little nervous because I'm an EMT and in order to be cleared to full duty by my company I have to pass a physical agility test... Which I'm doing tomorrow. But for the past 3 weeks I haven't done anything physical as far as lifting and all that. I'm just nervous because my incision site hasn't fully healed and I'm also nervous about how it's going to feel while lifting, doing chest compressions, etc. Does anyone else have a physically demanding job that they went back to in the 3-4 week time frame?

Thanks!
Sara

8 Comments

I'm surprised

by Theknotguy - 2015-02-19 02:02:56

I'm surprised your doctor would say it was OK to go back to work with the incision site not healed. Based upon everything I've heard in this area (Columbus, Ohio) the doctor's wouldn't let you go back to work until the incision site was healed. What I've heard is a very real possibility of the site being ripped open if you do heavy pulling, lifting, or stretching. Discussions I've gotten into here are, "You can go back to work, but you'll hurt yourself and be right back in the hospital. Your decision."

Then, of course, you haven't been doing physical activity for the past three weeks which would make the agility test even more of a strain. Maybe your heart with the PM can take the strain but I'm still worried about the muscle soreness and being out of shape.

My suggestion would be to get clarification from the doctor who said OK. Maybe he's thinking you're only going to be lifting paper at a desk job?

Minimum time in Columbus is 4 weeks. Then only lite stuff. My cardio didn't want me lifting anything heavy for three months. Maybe he was conservative but I needed the time.

nervous

by scard2774 - 2015-02-19 05:02:28

I did explain to him at my 2 week follow up, I explained how much I have to lift, etc and he said to wait one more week. That I would be cleared after he 19th.
Let me clarify, my incision is healed, just still has dermabond on it in places. But I already told my job I'd be ban tomorrow and he cleared me after explaining everything. So I guess I'm good to go? I just really don't know. This is all new to me. The pacemaker wasn't even discussed, it was an emergency thing so I know little about it.

Whoa!

by Artist - 2015-02-19 05:02:53

My opinion is that this is way too soon to be returning to an EMT job that can entail really strenuous physical activity! I was told by my EP that the leads really do not fully form the scar tissue needed to securely bond to the heart wall until 3 months have elapsed. My post surgical instructions also limited lifting to 10 lbs. for weeks 1-2 and 20 lbs for weeks 3-4. Then I was told to slowly increase my activity. At 3 1/2 months post op I still have a lot of soreness in the incision area. If you overdo it and dislodge a lead or open part of the incision that will set back your recovery. I really suspect your doctor does not understand the extreme physical demands of EMT work. I think the knotguy is on target when he says to run this by your doctor again and make sure he knows about the demands of your job. Hurting yourself on the physical agility test will just set your recovery back. Good luck. Please let us know what happens.

doctor clearance

by scard2774 - 2015-02-19 12:02:54

Let me add that my doctor has cleared me to go back.

Seems a little soon to me

by Busdriver - 2015-02-20 02:02:26

I am just now coming up on my 90 day mark. My incision has healed very well, and I have not experience many problems. Last week I changed the oil in the car and replaced two bicycle tires without any problems. However, the next day I was sore in my left shoulder and had a couple of muscle spasms in my chest near the device. Other than that, no problems. That's very light duty compared to lifting a stretcher with a 200 pound patient. I would encourage you to give it a little more time. Ease into it, reduce the risk of hurting yourself or someone in need during an emergency run.

I Vote for "Too Soon."

by donr - 2015-02-20 08:02:34

Considering what you do & have no ability to pick & choose about what you do or do not do. You are an EMERGENCY medic. You face life or death requirements demanding activity that you may not be capable of doing.

Normal restriction is NO lifting the elbow above the shoulder for SIX weeks. That's to protect the leads.

I had a similar discussion w/ my Cardio's head nurse when I was at your point. We made a deal, based on the ROM & muscles used.

1) I could do anything w/i my capability to "Curl" - that involved no shoulder motion, so did not endanger the leads. That endangerment comes from stretching the shoulder & attendant tissue leading down the chest wall - therefore...

2) No raising the elbow above the shoulder.

3) I could lift anything up to the weight of 8 lbs. (but not above the shoulder) Why such a funny number? Because 8 lbs is the weight of a gallon of milk & everyone knows what that weighs - who knows what 5 lbs feels like? (5 lbs was the criteria they originally gave me for lifting.)

If they could give you "light Duty," I'd say fine, but not for full performance requirements. I think your Cardio was wrong to agree to this/
Donr

today's the day

by scard2774 - 2015-02-20 09:02:19

Like I said, my doctor understands my physical requirements for my job, and I feel fine, just a little sore around the actual device because the feeling is starting to come back. My EP gave me no restrictions as far as not lifting my arm over my head, or using my arm. He said I'm good to go after the 19th. How do you argue with a doctor? And he gave me my clearance letter and I already gave it to my employer. I would never do anything to endanger one of my patients. I know my limits. I am just nervous as far as how I'm going to feel after the test, and I'm nervous something is going to happen to the device or leads that will require another surgery. There is no light duty in my job.. I feel good to go, just nervous.

3 man unit??

by Grateful Heart - 2015-02-20 09:02:53

Can they put a third person on your rig or bus or whatever you call your ambulances in Texas? :-) Just for a week or two to see how it goes for you.

Then if you feel you are not ready, you can let your Doctor know you tried but you need a little more time.

I would think your company or municipality would not want the liability if you can not or should not heavy lift right away.

Just a thought.

Grateful Heart


You know you're wired when...

You can proudly say you’re energy efficient.

Member Quotes

So, my advice is to go about your daily routine and forget that you have a pacemaker implanted in your body.