Still suffering pain and can’t raise my arm up

Pillows

by Grateful Heart - 2018-07-09 11:21:17

Try a pillow under the arm that is pulling on the device. 

After more than 9 years, I still can't lay on my left side.  Mine is a CRT-D too.

Grateful Heart

Stretch

by Gotrhythm - 2018-07-09 14:06:04

Healing of a wound requires the development of scar tissue. Scar tissue isn't as stretchy as the tissue it replaces. So you get a pulling sensation.

The difficulty raising your arm is from the same cause. The scar tissue is tight. Unfortunately your arm will not get better on its own. You need to begin gentle stretching exercises to recover the range of motion.

Device moving

by El Gordo - 2018-07-09 16:35:06

I was sore after two weeks, and it felt like it was sliding around (it was) when I was in bed, both on my back and my right side. My GP told it was normal after 2 weeks (I was seeing him anyway and didn't want to bother my cardiologist), and after 34 days, I can notice the improvement; it's a lot better. 

I also used a body pillow for a while, just to give me something to lean against to get into a comfortable position. I'm still not supposed to lift my left arm, are you sure it's OK for you to do so? I'm supposed to wait 6 - 8 weeks.

Sleep

by AgentX86 - 2018-07-09 22:21:05

I slept in a recliner for the first two months.  If I sleep on my back I'll get leg cramps, so generally sleep on my stomach.  That wasn't going to work with the PM.  I had the same issue with my CABG (obviously) but did the recliner thing for five months, then.

As far as raising your arm.  I was told, in no uncertain terms, not to raise my hand above my shoulder for four weeks.  Moving the arm was encourraged but no lifting (10lb limit) and no full extension of the arm.

Pillows are your friend

by Queen50 - 2018-07-10 22:11:19

6 weeks seems to be the magic number of feeling better. I had to use pillows when I first began my journey. I still use them most nights. Hope you are beginning to feels better.