Pacemaker Club: After surgery hint

After surgery hint

by Linnie
2021-03-22 19:15:51
General Posting
785 views
4 comments

After my PM implantation, I was told to keep my left arm down for 6 weeks, but not to not use it or it would result in a frozen shoulder. I was concerned for when I slept as I sometimes sleep with my arm behind my head. I came up with a solution. I had a wrist band that I put on my left wrist, then took a bathrobe belt and put it through the wristband, then around my waist. I tied the belt very loose, but it kept me from being able to lift my left arm, but I could move it enough to not get a frozen shoulder. I wore this 24/7 the first few days to remind me not to use my left arm.

4 Comments

arm

by new to pace.... - 2021-03-22 19:29:57

that is the opposite of what happens, you should keep moving your arm so it does not become frozen.

You should not be raising your arm above your shoulder. or lift anything heavy such as a gallon of milk. when you sleep your arm will know not to raise above your shoulder. no need to tie it to your body. the first couple of weeks i slept on my back on a recliner. that solved the problems of where my arm was.

new to pace

Belt

by AgentX86 - 2021-03-22 21:09:48

In think Linnie meant that the belt was so loose that it gave full arm movement but reminded her not to stretch the shoulder. If so, I think it was a clever idea, if overkill.

I slept on my back in a recliner too. I was having leg cramp issues, which weren't fun laid back in a recliner. Getting out to relieve the cramp was way too slow. ;-) I did relieve the cramp issue some months later with magnesium. Magnesium does work (potassium, too, if that's what ails you).

After surgery hint

by Linnie - 2021-03-23 14:53:23

Thank you AgentX86. That is exactly what I meant. The belt was loose enough to lift my elbow up, which used my shoulder. But it reminded me to not try to grab a gallon of milk with that arm.

Sling

by djg2020 - 2021-03-24 19:54:04

I had my PM last December and my dr gave me the same advice - no lifting the arm above shoulder level. I was given a sling which I wore when sleeping.