How soon is too soon?

It's been about 1 1/2 weeks since my pacemaker implant. I would like to start some exercise: just walking. I guess I am afraid to allow my arms to swing naturally while walking for fear that I might dislodge something! I tried to walk on a treadmill with natural arm swinging (no vigorous arm swinging!), but after a short while, my pacemaker incision site began to hurt a bit. Did I start exercising too soon? Mind you, I only walked moderately (3 mph) for 1/2 mile! It looks like it's going to be a slow process. . .

5 Comments

Walking

by Grateful Heart - 2016-02-24 06:02:59


If you feel up to it, you should be fine walking. You want to move your arms, just not above your shoulders for the first 6 weeks or so but move them so you don't get "frozen shoulder". There is plenty of slack in the leads so it should not dislodge.

What you are probably feeling is the bouncing or rubbing of the PM at first when exercising. It is noticeable until your body adapts to it being there.....it's a few extra ounces on one side.

Grateful Heart

walking

by Tracey_E - 2016-02-24 07:02:25

Unless you have other things going on and have been told to hold back, it's fine to do non-impact exercise as soon as you feel up to it. I was walking the day I got out of the hospital. Go ahead and swing your arms, that's ok too. Don't swim or swing a golf club and don't raise your arm higher than shoulder height for a few weeks, other than that it's good to move the arm normally so your shoulder doesn't freeze.

If it hurts, ease up and try again in a few days. Ice will help it feel better. It's just tissues healing, it's highly unlikely you did any damage.

Hey

by lcw306 - 2016-02-25 01:02:26

I had a similar experience when I received my pacemaker this past August! I was told I could walk and do non-impact exercises as soon as I felt up to it basically! As long as you do not lift your arm higher than shoulder or swing your arm or anything! I am only 25 and have been in decent shape but it took me a while to get back at exercise! After the first couple of days, I started with a walk up and down my street or a trip to Wal Mart, something small! Then gradually built it up! I was so afraid of dislodging something because I could feel it and had some pain too! By the end of my 6 week recovery I felt better than ever!

I also found I would try to keep my arm straight as possible when walking because it hurt, but my doctor told me this would only make it worse, lol! It is hard not to worry though :)

Back to running

by Sarbear - 2016-02-25 12:02:14

My doctor cleared me for running about 2 weeks after I had my pacemaker put in. It felt weird the first day, but I'm up to about 5 miles now (3 weeks out) and feel great! I think it depends a lot on your underlying conditions-I'd call and ask to be sure. Good luck!

Thank you!

by Pinecone - 2016-02-26 07:02:52

Thanks for the kind words from everyone. I guess I'm just afraid right now. Everything so new. I will not be cleared to go back to work for the next 6 weeks . I guess I'd better take care of myself (physically, mentally and emotionally). It is really hard to "live" with the L arm restrictions but I am coping. Time to get to those home projects that I never seem to have time for!!! Thanks again and I am glad that I found this group!

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