Recovery time

No rule

by Gotrhythm - 2017-06-24 17:09:22

There's no rule that I know of.  Some people feel better instantly. I did. But it still took about a week to get past tiring easily and having low energy.

Other people report longer periods.

It's still very early on. Give your body a little healing time. Keeping gently moving your arm and shoulder. Do what you feel like doing and rest when you need to.

You obviously have strong powers of recovery. You'll get there.

Recovery Time... Takes a bit more time...

by JoJo B - 2017-06-24 17:49:43

Hi, welcome, hope all is going well.  You and your friends will be able to relax and calm each other as you learn more about the basic purpose, processes and healing stages of your new surgery. You should be returning to many normal routines right away, others as your energy returns and you adjust to any quirky feelings of your pacer. Sounds like you have lots of experiences in surgical healing, and while you are now able to have your pacer help you to feel better, it is of course more than a scratch to get through those stages. You've heard "everyone heals a bit differently" by now I'm sure... boring, yes, but still true. Besides the skin, tissues, nerves, etc, working hard to fight infection and patch you together, you have some new strangers residing inside you that need to make friends with your system, learn the ropes and adjust, with the help of checkups and having equipment monitored and settings adjusted as needed to accommodate your health and activity level. That pacer generator is taking up new space and the annoyed tissues are not going to settle down and help the generator lie flat for some time - months to a year.  The incision takes a few weeks or more to fully close, the colorful bruising and itching takes longer, and the adjustments your doc or tech may need to make might not happen as quickly as you'd like because it's best not to make a bunch of changes at once so they can see how things work with each change. Healing might be a breeze, or it might be a bit different this time. Those activities you mentioned seem very reasonable in a week or more, so your friends and family need to understand that you are bouncing back, but with a newly implanted electronic device inside you this time. And though it will be soon enough you forget it's there, that time takes what it takes, not a hard and fast formula, but nothing for everyone to fret over - you are still you!

Do keep moving and safely exercising, without raising your upper arm (pacer side) above the shoulders for 6 weeks or so, but that leaves a lot of latitude for using your lower arm to help out a lot and do normal things, like meeting your head bent over a bit to wash your hair, cooking, driving, typing, etc. Just don't lift more than 7 pounds yet (or what your doctor says). You can do a LOT, which helps to aid healing, and you can see from the billions of posts here that people do awesome things with amazing arrays of activities! It's great news you now have something that you needed, and the time does pass more quickly than you think you can stand. Closely watch the incision for signs of any infection, call or seek medical help if infection or severe pain is going on. Sometimes it takes a while for infections or other issues to show up, therefore all the cautions. Most questions will already have answers here, tons of advice and experiences of all types, and many folks will be glad to address pretty much anything you ask.

Takes about 1 to 3 weeks or more for your energy to start feeling closer to normal, sooner if you're fortunate, longer if you try too much too soon. Best wishes!

Be patient!!!

by Debbie-55 - 2017-06-25 22:28:16

Legomom, please be patient with yourself. I think we got our pm on the same day- June 20th for me. I had a crt-d implanted which was very hard for me to accept. I work for a major airline and absolutely love my job. All of a sudden, after being able to work endless hours, my energy level dropped that I contributed to my age-62. Wrong! It was my heart. My ef was at 20, and went on short term disability for 92 days until the surgery was done. Realize this is a major emotional and physical ordeal you are going through. Everyone reacts to situations differently but take one day at a time and be thankful you are alive will be better soon. Everyday you will feel better in one way, and not so good in another way. But, that is okay. My energy level isn't where I would like to be, but my pain is better than on day 1, day 2, day 3, and today I have very little pain. Don't be hard on yourself! Everyone is different, but one day we will be as good as new. I know it,because we have each other, within this wonderful support group to help each other. Hang it there girlfriend, each one of your posts will show how strong you are!!!

Thanks for encouragement

by Legomom - 2017-06-26 01:11:03

This afternoon was rough. Had a bout of being unable to "get air in", but I think it was due to asthma issues and anxiety. One thing I wish the doctors would understand is that I (and maybe others) had no idea this was something that was going to happen. No prep time before, means extra psych care afterward!  

Anyway, back when my Dad had his first heart issues they gave him a "t pill" as we called it. It was for his anxiety. Uh, that MIGHT be helpful for someone who has anxiety, as well as another condition that causes breathing problems. Anyway, I am very grateful for this group and I have pushed myself to reach out to my friends close by who are helping me with the daily things I can't do right now. 

Blessings.