CRT-D IMPLANT

Had my crt-d implanted Wed., 1/20. Surgery went very well, surgeon commented signal output and other parameters were excellent.
I am disappointed that the recovery has been slow. I have been very weak and tired for, 4 days. Many people told me they woke in recovery, stronger than before and went home same day without an arm sling---not so for me. My arm is in a sling for 2 weeks and sore. My wife said my muscles had to be moved to get the 3rd lead in position, thus the bruising and soreness.
Am I a wimp or were those other people misleading me. I am looking forward to getting back to a fuller more active life, with a stronger heart.

7 Comments

don't worry

by bridgermichael - 2016-01-24 09:01:18

I had mine last Thursday and I am incredibly tired too - I wouldn't worry - our bodies are adjusting - surgery although run of mill and commonplace to surgeons is major to us - I am still having regular medicines painkillers - hot and temperature and I think it has kicked in a couple of times -
Keep your chin up I am sure u will be fine
Mike b
Dorset UK

sling

by Suz2015 - 2016-01-25 02:01:41

My Dr WON"T allow me to wear a sling, but , I restricted my arm at night,(bad habit of lifting arms over head for sleep),. The dr. was more concerned about the shoulder freezing up , so just be careful.
But , I too did not feel great on walking out of the hospital, Feel much better most of the time now, (implant on 11/19/15). I try to do what I can,when I feel good.
It will get easier.
Good luck and welcome

Lose the sling

by NiceNiecey - 2016-01-25 03:01:30

It just gets in the way.

Then give yourself a few weeks to get up to speed again. When I got my first PM, it was a complete shock. I was told how much better I'd feel after it was put in but I didn't realize I felt poorly to begin with!

To be honest: I felt worse than ever for the first few weeks.

Now I feel so fantastic it's hard to believe I didn't recognize anything was wrong before I got the PM.

Give it time, Friend. 4 days is barely a beginning. And the sleepiness will eventually go away too.

Welcome to PM Club.

Don't use a sling !

by IAN MC - 2016-01-25 04:01:24

There is loads of evidence that slings can lead to frozen shoulder which can take up to 2 years to clear up. You need to keep moving your shoulder without stretching the incision

Ian

Ditch the sling!

by Grateful Heart - 2016-01-25 05:01:08


LOL.

I was never given one either.....no problems with my arm. Move your arm, don't baby it. Just try not to raise it above your shoulder for the 4-6 week guidelines but use it.

I don't think anyone was misleading....we are all different and recover at different rates. Like Jen said, be kind to yourself.

They call it "minor" surgery but it is still surgery and everybody is different.

Time is your friend.

Grateful Heart

my turn

by fjj17332 - 2016-01-25 10:01:12

getting my CRT-D on friday the 29th. ready for anything. little scared i admit.

Be kind to yourself!

by JenSF - 2016-01-25 12:01:16

Hi there,

I think you're being too hard on yourself and you're certainly not a wimp! Everyone's body is different and we all take different amounts of time to recover from surgery. I've certainly also heard the stories of people who sailed through surgery and left the recovery room feeling better than ever, but there's certainly plenty of us here who experienced pain and soreness for days if not weeks. Pain and soreness is a normal response to being cut open and having a metal box implanted in your chest!

The key thing is that you're getting a little bit better each day. I bet a month from now you'll look back on this and will be amazed at how much better you feel. You'll get your more active life, just let yourself heal first.

Jen

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