Recovery time

Hiya I am 46 and have had a pacemaker fitted 3 weeks ago. I teach in a primary school and am due back in a couple of days. I have had no advice as to if I should go back or take some more time off. Not sure what to do. Any advice anyone.

8 Comments

Recovery time

by Sue125 - 2015-08-30 01:08:00

Thank you thats very helpful. Yes I'm in the UK. You are right it is a very demanding job both physically and mentally. I feel ok but still feel bruised around my pm. I get tired easily and I'm still in shock about getting a pm. I will give someone a call. I will let you know what they say.

returning to work

by Tracey_E - 2015-08-30 01:08:09

Everyone varies when they are ready to go back but by 2-3 weeks most are ready for at least a partial return to work. It depends how strenuous your job is, what other health issues you have, how long you needed the pm before you got it. If you tire easily, can you start with half days or get a break in the middle of the day? You shouldn't raise the left arm above the shoulder or lift anything heavy, so you may need help getting the classroom ready.

and...

by Jane21 - 2015-08-30 01:08:09

Oh Sue, I have sent you a private message. Jx

I'm a Primary Teacher too.

by Jane21 - 2015-08-30 01:08:21

Hi Sue
Am guessing that like me, you are in the UK.
My PM was fitted 6 weeks ago and like you I wasn't given any info at all about return to work,
As I'm stating at a new school to boot, I had to know if I was okay, so I asked. Initially I asked the pacemaker technicians and then confirmed this with the Cardiologist at my 6 week check up. He gave the green light.
I would say you are not ready for your role as a Primary Teacher until the 6 weeks is up. However, I am not a doctor, so I would suggest you give your technician department a call on Tuesday and see what they say.
Just bear in mind how active a job it is and how much lifting and stretching you will be doing in the first few days. I was in school on Thursday and Friday last week, moving furniture and putting up displays and that was hard enough 6 weeks on. Personally I don't think you should be doing all that just 3 weeks after your op.
Please give someone on your care team a call and see what they have to say, it is not a silly question at all.
Let me know how you get on. Jx

I'm a teacher, too

by barnet38 - 2015-08-31 02:08:01

Hi there,

I teach middle school band in the U.S. and have over 300 students in my classes every day. I will be due for a replacement sometime this school year and am also struggling with how much time to take for recovery. The last time I had a replacement was 8.5 years ago and I was only allowed 1.5 weeks for recovery before returning to work. This was NOT enough time.

This time around I am making sure my doctor knows how many students I am responsible for, how much I use my arms conducting, lifting, and moving equipment, etc. I do not have the choice to return to work part time and gradually add hours as I feel better. I know that I will likely need 2.5-3 weeks this time, and my doctor is being supportive.

I would appreciate it if you can let me know how you feel after returning to work and how much time you end up taking.

teaching

by hopefulheart - 2015-08-31 02:08:47

Hi, Sue
Yes, those of us who teach (retired now) miss our young students and our rewarding job, but you and your students need and deserve you at your best. After an emergency ICD implant, I went back after 6 weeks.
That was my medical care's instruction. I am glad I followed that advice. That does not mean I just layed around for 6 weeks. I increased my activity, ate healthy and adjusted to my new friend. By not irritating my incision site with too much tugging or bumps, it helped me avoid negative problems and scarring. I taught with my ICD for 7 more years before retiring. Take care
hopefulheart

Return to work

by MissSmith - 2015-08-31 08:08:24

I have had my PM three weeks too, nearly four. I am having at least 6 weeks off before I return to work. I was told to expect 6 weeks to be fully healed. My job is physical most shifts. GP and work are supportive. When I go back it will be a phased return. At home I feel almost back to normal but am avoiding lifting my arm up and heavy lifting, Sleeping can be uncomfortable at times so disturbs my sleep. I drove a short distance yesterday for the first time. I don't want to look back and wish I had done things different. I am also in the UK.

bamet38

by Tracey_E - 2015-09-01 01:09:38

If you do the replacement on a Thursday or Friday, you should be fine by Monday. Most of the soreness the first time is from making the pocket. Most of the restrictions the first time are from the leads. Assuming your leads are ok, they will go in the same place so it's all scar tissue. If I get it done early in the morning, I'm home fixing my own lunch. Super easy!

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I, too, am feeling tons better since my implant.