sleep positions and physical therapy after surgery

recovery

by Tracey_E - 2018-09-09 18:49:14

It's early days, you will be able to sleep on your left side again in a few weeks.

Definitely don't use the sling. If you are using the arm normally (aside from not lifing or raising it overhead) you should be ok without pt. Some soreness and stiffness is to be expected, you aren't sleeping the way you usually do and your movement is restricted. Ice, heat and massage can all help with the stiffness. As we get back to normal, the aches and pains go away. 

Recovery

by AgentX86 - 2018-09-09 19:05:52

Just use your arm for normal everyday things, just don't life anything that weighs more than five or ten pounds (your doctor should have discussed this) and don't reach your hand above your shoulder, behind your back, or extend it completely forward for four to six weeks.  As time goes on you can do a little more but take it easy for the time being.

As far as sleep goes, I discovered when I had my bypass surgery, in '14, that sleeping in a bed was going to be a problem.  If I sleep on my back I get leg cramps and normally sleep on my stomach.  That wasn't going to work with a sternotomy so we put a recliner in our bedroom (it's good for watching television, too ;-) so I could sleep in it and I did for five months. When I got the pacemaker, it was a natural and I slept in it for two months.  I didn't trust myself to not roll over at night, so I gave up on the bed. Truth be told, I probably could have slept in the bed for at least a couple of weeks but I was chicken. It really hurt if I did something stupid and still didn't trust myself to not roll over on it.  After almost seven months, it can still hurt if I sleep on it wrong.

Using my left arm

by loblolly - 2018-09-09 22:57:23

I've been following my surgeon's advice and everyone's and trying to use my left arm normally today, Just not lifting anything heavy, or reaching etc,. Also I went for a short walk, a bit longer than yesterday, and the arm does feel better. My neck still hurts, but I will try the heat and massage, along with tylenol.

Trying to focus on the positive- I'm alive! I have no previous history of heart disease, but last Monday I started feeling so dizzy I thought I would pass out. When I took my blood pressure and pulse, my pulse was only 32. I thought my monitor was malfunctioning, but after a few minutes my pulse was still in the 30's. At the ER an EKG showed I was in total heart block- the signal from the atriums was not communicating with the ventricles. So after having no idea I had any heart problems, only 7 hours later I  had a pacemaker installed.

Thanks for the encouragement- sounds like aches are part of the recovery, and will ease with time as my body heals.

Better today ( day 7) !

by loblolly - 2018-09-10 15:23:19

Tried everyone's suggestions last night to use heat on my sore neck and shoulder ( one of those moist heat packs you can heat in the microwave, ) , and it really helps.

Got my new fashion accessory in the mail today- my Medic-Alert bracelet that says I have a pacemaker and heart block.

Continuing to adjust to my new reality -one week ago I had no idea I needed a pacemaker or that by the end of the day I would have one implanted. This site is really helping me cope and adjust. Thanks everyone!

give it time

by dwelch - 2018-09-11 00:54:25

Dont use the sling.  Definitely try to use your arm.  The pain will guide you, move it up to but not too far.  Your skin will move and that pulls on the incision and that causes pain.  We have all been through this some more than others (I am on my fifth one).  I think this last one I couldnt sleep on that side for a couple of weeks at least a week.  And certainly that first week sleep wasnt that great, had to get up a number of times and move about, sit in a chair, try again.  ive had the frozen shoulder thing or at least whatever I had was pretty painful if it wasnt full on frozen shoulder then I would hate to see what that feels like.

Again use it, walk around move it, you wont be able to brush or wash your hair with that hand for days or weeks depending but other stuff where your hand is in front of you, changing the channels with the remote, holding the saucer or cup to have some tea, cooking but not necessarily lifting heavy pots or pans, should be trying to do those things, and before you know it you will be back to full mobility without any pain.

Recovery

by Sheppy - 2018-09-24 17:23:52

I got the pacemaker installed on 9-1-18. I guess the doc scared me into wearing the sling to bed every night but not during the day. I think he instilled in me the fear of disloging a lead, or worse. Nights are miserable, but days are great. Cooking, tying shoes,showers, naps on the couch, all good. But,, pulling up my pants,,can't do it with the laft hand,, fear??? That would be putting a strain , like putting your hand behind the back?? more fear?? But for now, I manage with the right hand. I know, I know. It's been 3 weeks now. I should be over the fear, but another week before I see the Doc.

Like all the first-timers, this is all new,,, wonderful that I am vertical, but also a little scarry.

So glad I found this group. I am not alone,,,