Had the 2nd surgery after 10 days

Hi eveyone,
I got my first PM 4 weeks ago, I have 3rd degree of heart block which I noticed it about month ago. I was shocked when I heard that for the first time. Right after 7 days, I played soccer for about 30 min. I could not run much but I just wanted to convince myself that I am still alive! And can move, sine I love soccer and running. 2 days after I played soccer again for about 1hr. I went home and then the symptoms that I had before PM started. At the hospital they said the lead has been repositioned and I need another surgery to get it fixed. It is now about 3 weeks since the 2nd operation.
I am thinking to wait for the 6th week to come and then start running again, do you think if that’s enough or I should wait more? I am 37yr old and have sigma vdd303 PM.
Do you know if I can run the same as before PM? If so, how long it would take?
Thanks in advance for any comment.
Rob


4 Comments

oh boy!

by boatman50 - 2007-04-25 03:04:38

Your kidding right? Didn't the hospital give you discharge instructions saying to take it easy for at least 6 weeks? Keep your pm side arm below shoulder level also? Well either did mine for the first operation and I was sent home the day after the operation with instructions to keep it dry ffor a few days. The second night home I was in bad pain and it turns out a lead had pierced my heart. I had to be sent into NYC to have it fixed and boy did they let me know to take it easy for 6 weeks, keep my arm down for some time and in general give enough time to let the scars form over the leads to keep them in place. If you don't want to go back again for surgery I would suggest you rest for at least 6 weeks and get back into exercise gradually after that with doctors approval! Good Luck, Boatman

I hear that!

by dandelle3 - 2007-04-25 04:04:39

I know where your coming from. I'm the exact same way. I'm 22 and had 3 stents put in last september with a PM 2 weeks later. I tried playing soccer like a week later. It was embarrassing. You just gotta rest up. I know its tough for people like us cause we always want to be moving around but just take it easy and gradually get back into it.

exercise after PM

by CathrynB - 2007-04-25 05:04:20

Hey Rob. Welcome to the club. I'm sorry to hear you had such a rocky start with your PM and had to have a second surgery. Like you, I'm really active, but fortunately I got detailed discharge instructions along the lines of what Boatman suggests. I've been a runner for 30 years, but my doc said I couldn't run until 6 weeks post op, don't raise my left arm above shoulder level until 6 weeks (I even slept with my wrist tied to my waist because I flail around in my sleep), and all sorts of other restrictions until 6 weeks. I think my doc is somewhat more conservative than some I've read about on this site, but I'd rather be careful and not face complications or second surgeries, so I didn't mind. When I went back to running at 6 weeks, I started off slower and shorter distances and worked up gradually. Now, at 3 months post op, I'm back to running the distance and speed I did before. And do you have some sort of chest protector to keep a ball from hitting you directly on the PM? Most people are advised not to engage in contact sports anymore after getting a PM, so you may want to ask your doc about that too. I realize soccer isn't a contact sport the way football is, but you're still at risk of someone accidentally butting you with their head, shoulder, a ball or whatever. Please take care and keep us posted on how things go for you this time around. Cathryn

Hi Rob

by randrews - 2007-04-25 10:04:32

I ran a week after my pm was put in because my doctor said I could. It was ok. Then the nurse called me and said I really shouldn't be running. So I haven't...much. When I do, I run real slow and take it real easy. Like you, I need to, just to show I'm still alive. I'm coming up on 6 weeks and I hope to get back into it. I have noticed that after I run my bpm is up for a few hours after and then my chest aches for a day or so. After 6 weeks off, I think I will begin by walking long distances and on trails to help my heart adjust as well as my knees and achillies. I also think I will carry a cell phone with my from now on.
Be smart and never do anything today that will keep you from running tomorrow.
Take care,
Rusty

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