Raising left arm six weeks post

   Hi, my PM procedure was six weeks ago.  I've been very careful and all is going well.  I would like to return to the gym and resume light strength training. I feel like my left side has atrophied!  I have been walking and riding the recumbent bike.

   The PM Club has been such a wonderful resource for me.  This experience was so sudden and unexpected ~ my doctors answer my questions but they can't provide the support that you do.  Thank you.

 


5 Comments

Raising left arm after 6 weeks

by Gemita - 2022-11-27 13:25:32

Claudia, it seems you are doing really well and I am so pleased to hear you want to try to do even more.  

If you feel well enough to resume light strength training and to return to the gym and your doctors are aware of what you want to do, then I would start slowly and gently and stop if you feel at all uncomfortable.  Always exercise according to tolerance and build up slowly, in other words, "pace yourself" with your exercises and you should come to no harm.  Do you want to share with us the strength training exercises (weights) you intend to do, so that more experienced members may comment?

I can remember getting out into the garden, raising my arms and pruning some thick stemmed shrubs at 6 weeks.  It was quite an effort, but no harm was done.  As soon as I felt fatigued, I stopped.  I think our doctors err on the side of caution to make sure our leads don’t dislodge, since you wouldn’t wish to go through the procedure again but at 6-8 weeks we should be able to start gently with strengthening exercises in the gym

Left arm exercise

by claudiaann - 2022-11-27 15:46:52

Thank you so much for your reply!  I wouldn't attempt too much yet because I definitely do not want to go through the procedure again.

However, would like to start with light free weights, maybe 2.5 pounds and get back to the seated arm machines at the gym - arm extensions, chest press, and the chest fly.  Anything for triceps.  Speaking of gardening, I have a lot of work to do there as well.  

I know my body is healing and and I'm looking forward to returning to my normal life!

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

So happy you’re healing!

by Lavender - 2022-11-28 08:59:58

I too would recommend a therapeutic massage from a licensed massage therapist to loosen that left side. I go twice monthly. 

Just to clarify

by Gotrhythm - 2022-11-28 14:10:25

I'm responding to your comment rather than original post.

At 6 weeks post implant there is no danger that you will dislodge the leads or do any damage to your pacemaker or leads through exercise. None.

The same healing process that has sealed the wound you can see, has been at work on the inside, covering the leads with scar tissue that will hold them in place for many, many years.

The advice to go easy is because, if you really haven't lifted the arm for six weeks, you may have shortened ligaments and tendons in the area which will need to be gently stretched to restore full range of motion to the shoulder joint. I would suggest at least a week of stretching up, back and side, several times a day, before any strength-training is attempted.

Left arm exercise

by claudiaann - 2022-11-28 16:53:05

Thank you, all of you, for the wonderful suggestions.  I hadn't thought about stretching and icing the shoulder, although I should really know better.

Angry Sparrow, just curious.  What role does plenty of water play in my recovery?

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