Household Chores

How long after the procedure can I do things like reach down in the washing machine to unload it. I assume not for awhile with my left arm but what about my right arm?

4 Comments

Hold off

by Theknotguy - 2020-06-19 15:30:12

Standard response is 4 - 6 weeks and no more than 10 pounds on the arm on the same side as the pacemaker.  Opposite arm you can lift moderate amounts. What you don't want to do is to lift something with the opposite arm and strain the back and stretch muscles on the other arm.  

I told my spouse I couldn't help with dinner dishes as the dish water would corrode the leads going into the heart.  She said, "Nice try, Sherlock!"  So it didn't work.  But, you never know.

 I'd tell the spouse it would be a minimum of three months for pulling the wet, damp clothes out of the washer and get him to do the work for a change.  Enjoy the time off while you can.  If you don't show him the forum he'll never know.  

Hope your adjustment to your pacemaker goes well.  
 

That IS Me

by JerseyGM - 2020-06-19 17:01:19

I live alone so there is no one else to pull the clothes out of the machine. I guess I'll have to import some help. Thanks for the response.

movement

by Tracey_E - 2020-06-21 10:29:40

Stretching down should be fine. Wet clothes don't weigh that much and it's not an overhead movement. My instructions were nothing overhead or more than 20#. 

Thank you

by JerseyGM - 2020-06-21 11:21:51

Thanks for the response. They told me 10 pounds, lol. Anyway, coming up to to two week follow-up on Wednesday so I guess I'll be able to get more guidance then. Thanks again

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker interferes with your electronic scale.

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