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Sleeping
- by SeekingSupport
- 2023-04-14 19:36:12
- Surgery & Recovery
- 700 views
- 4 comments
Hi everyone !
It's been 2 months since my ICD surgery. It's on my left side. I've been sleeping on my right side ever since. Haven't slept on my left side yet. I'm worried I'll move the pacemaker or squish on it or make it sore by pressing on it ?! However. When I turn on my right side, my breasts are quite heavy so when I turn, my left breast pulls down on my pacemaker and it hurts. And I wonder if it's moving the leads. Don't know how to get comfortable or stop the pulling pain from the heaviness of the breast ? TIA
4 Comments
All danger to your leads is past!
by Gotrhythm - 2023-04-17 12:19:18
You said, " When I turn on my right side, my breasts are quite heavy so when I turn, my left breast pulls down on my pacemaker and it hurts. And I wonder if it's moving the leads."
Putting myself in your shoes, I wonder if you are thinking that the pain you feel is leads being pulled, and that makes you think the leads could be pulled out.
The answer is no. The pain is from the scar tissue (and possibly some swelling) that is being pulled on. Scar tissue is less elastic than the tissue it replaces. That's why you need physical therapy after you've had a broken bone. The scar tissue needs to be worked to stretch it.
Scar tissue begins to form very rapidly in the body. Assuming the leads were put in right in the first place, after 10 days there is little chance you could dislodge the leads. After 6 weeks essentially none. After two months, all chance is gone.
So what is causing the pain? There likely is some swelling still. Funny, it's hard to see how much swelling there was until it's gone. And the scar is still tender. If you pull on it, or the surrounding tissue, you'll feel the pull because the scar is tighter, less flexible.
What to do? Even though it hurts, it's safe to turn over. Use as many pillows as you need to bolster yourself into a comfortable position to sleep.
How long it takes to be able to sleep in your favorite position is individual.With my first pacemaker, it was about 6 months. With the second, a couple of weeks.
Thank you !
by SeekingSupport - 2023-04-18 22:19:07
Thank you all for your words of support and advice !!! It's really appreciated!
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Since I got my pacemaker, I don't pass out anymore! That's a blessing in itself.
Pillow up!
by Lavender - 2023-04-14 21:46:26
My pacemaker is two years old. I still sleep on my right side or back. I used to be a left side sleeper but I am uncomfortable now on the left.
I sleep with a pillow under my head, a body pillow between my legs as I lie on my right side. I have a small third pillow that I tuck over my pacemaker so basically my entire side is pillowed up.
If I roll on my back, the body pillow goes under my knees.