My Job

Not much choice

by MartyP - 2017-08-11 23:23:44

I'm assuming you don't have a pacemaker?

If that's the case I don't see you have much of s choice, certainly sounds like a PM makes a ton of sense.

I'm not a doctor's but that sounds like a 3rd degree heart block ... that's what happened to me, my heart stopped for 31 seconds at night while I was in the hospital... 4 hours later I had a PM.

I call it sparky and just this week, 10 weeks after the implant, went back to training and lifting.

I'm glad I have the PM as you just don't know when you might faint .... could be while driving and you could kill yourself or someone else.

My opinion is get the PM but you have to see a cardiologist...

Good luck...

Robin's right

by knb123 - 2017-08-12 08:47:55

Robin gave you good advice and I would second it. The ONLY time I mentioned having my pacemaker to someone in a work situation was when, as a volunteer for an organization, I was supposed to wear a name badge that's attached to my shirt by way of a pair of magnets. I told the volunteer coordinator that I couldn't wear magnets (or any substantial amount of metal) on my chest. The solution? I have a name badge that attaches by way of a little safety pin.

I have full range of movement and lift all kinds of things (including, from time to time, furniture) so I would not worry too much about continuing your employment. As Robin advised, you need to give it some time and then you'll be good as new. Good luck!

Work

by TBrous&Chip - 2017-08-13 07:42:36

Let your physician determine your return to work status. After you are healed the physician will write you a return to work letter that will state full release to work or state limitations, if any.

Many people with pms are doing very physical jobs and exercise routines. Hopefully your pm will manage your heart issues and you can get back to your normal activities including driving and work.   

Right now it is important for you to heal properly, as others have commented.

The pacemaker is not the problem. The pacemakers is the FIX for the problem.

by Gotrhythm - 2017-08-13 14:49:42

Lots of people with pacemakers are able to do everything you mentioned and more. If they have some other health condition they might not be able to, but nothing about having a pacemaker keeps anyone from mopping, sweeping, driving, or lifting.

For four to six weeks after the pacemaker is inserted, you will have some restrictions, but once you are healed up, you can do absolutely anything you feel like doing, and anything you could do before. Okay, except operate a jackhammer or arc-welding. I'm willing to guess a home health worker isn't required to do either of those things.

Passing out is scary and you certainly don't want to put others in danger. But the pacemaker isn't the problem. The pacemaker is the fix. It makes you less likely than the average person to pass out because the pacemaker will keep your heart going, even if it tries to stop. Think about it. There are lots of people out there, who have the same problem you had, but they don't know it--and they could pass out at any time.

The difference between them and you is that you do know it. You know it and you have fixed the problem.

You can trust your pacemaker. There is virtually no chance that the pacemaker will stop abruptly without warning. Pacemakers are incredibly reliable, and there are lots of safety checks to make sure they stay that way.

You are much safer at the wheel of a car with a pacemaker than without one. With a pacemaker, you are as good a driver as you ever were.