4 days post OP. How long does it take for your arm to become mobile

Hi all, I had a pacemaker fitted Monday(6th march 2017. I have sick sinus and complete heart block. I had it under the muscle. I still cannot really use my left arm. Struggling to dress, make food etc. I'm 33 and thought I would bounce back a lot quicker than I have. Can anyone tell me roughly when il get some movement back without the muscle pain? Thank you :) 

6 Comments

recovery after subpec

by Tracey_E - 2017-03-10 13:00:44

Are you icing a lot? Ice will help a lot with the pain and swelling. I was using my arm by the end of the first week but it took more like a couple of months before I could bend/twist/lift and do my full routine at the gym without feeling any twinges. I don't mean it hurt that long, just that it took that long before I stopped noticing the twinges. The pain went away and use of arm came back fairly rapidly after the first week. It's important to use the arm because you don't want your shoulder to freeze so resist the urge to not use it at all. Recovery is definitely a little longer and harder when they put it under muscle, but imo it's well worth it in the end. Once you get past this part, you should barely know it's there. Ice, ice and more ice until then! 

Ice brilliant!

by Chantellerose - 2017-03-11 04:51:07

Thank you Tracey I haven't used ice until now but am going to start! Thank you xx

Mine was also put in March 6, 2017 @ lead Metronics

by DRG - 2017-03-11 14:52:01

Today I removed the dressing but not allowed to raise my arm over my head.  Allowed to start driving Monday the 13th.  I do find my short term memory leaves much to be desired.  I could not tell you my phone number as an example.Long term memory is not a problem

Memory

by Chantellerose - 2017-03-11 17:32:40

Thanks drg...was your memory an issue before?? Or just after your surgery? Hope you are healing well!

give it time

by dwelch - 2017-03-14 01:21:24

I am on number four going for number five soon.  I found that (right after they put one in) I tended to keep my shoulder stiff to avoid moving the skin around the incision, making the shoulder muscles really sore.  Just takes time.  For one of the replacements I had a vehicle with an automatic transmission, that was fun not using the left arm.  Even with automatics found I used my left more than I thought.  Just give it time, before you know it you will forget you have it (until you or someone bumps it or you have a reminder call for an appointment).  

Arm movement.

by snoop-doop - 2017-03-28 12:02:00

I had mine done Oct 1, 2015 and i wound up getting frozen shoulder. I still can't move it normally, i think my PM is sitting on some nerves.

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