Sleeping on that side

Sleeping

by Penguin - 2024-09-04 17:56:32

I think it would be best to be your own judge on this one and use your common sense. If it hurts don't do it. When the area is less swollen and you feel less sensitive, try it if you usually sleep on that side. When you forget that you have a pacemaker implanted there (which will come) you will no longer worrry at all. 

Hi there

by Lavender - 2024-09-04 18:25:51

I'm over three years into my CRT-P device. I wasn't comfortable on my left (implant) side at all. My heart even seems to beat differently when on that side. In the past few months, I noticed that I can sleep for short periods on the left. If I'm too squished up, the device bumps into me weirdly. 
 

Others here have managed to sleep in any position. I'm a right side or back sleeper now. 
You can try and see what's comfortable. 

Oh and!

by Lavender - 2024-09-04 19:20:19

If you haven't already done so...ditch the arm sling. Still keep your elbow below the shoulder but use that arm and move it around. No heavy lifting. 

Sling/Left Side Sleeping

by 19paul51 - 2024-09-05 03:36:56

I agree with Lavender - ditch the arm sling and just be super conscious of the movement of your arm.  I live by myself and having to wear the sling was just too much of a nuisance in trying to do normal tasks.  Just make sure not to raise your arm.

As far as sleeping on the left side, I am a side sleeper by nature as I cannot comfortably sleep on my back due to the way my back curves (they actually had to put a pain patch on me in the hospital because of it).  Right is my predominant side but I would say that it will a long while before I sleep on my left - it's still too painful (it's only been a week) and I don't sleep comfortably on that side anyway.  If I need to relieve my right side and go on my back, I get up and move to a recliner for a period of time.

side sleeping

by Tracey_E - 2024-09-05 10:02:53

It's safe before it's comfortable. It took me a couple of months. I found it helpful to sleep hugging a small pillow. It supported the arm and kept me from rolling onto my sore side once I fell asleep.

Thanks!

by NGAMoose - 2024-09-05 21:07:15

Thanks for all of the responses! I only used the sling for the 1st 2 days too. I ditched it when it felt comfortable to. I'm 6'5" and about 270lbs, so, there's a good bit of weight when I lay on either shoulder. I'm definitely not lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk for now, until my Dr says otherwise. Definitely not raising my arm high either. 

Thank y'all for your responses!

sleep position

by new to pace.... - 2024-09-05 21:23:14

I slept on  my recliner on my back  for the first   couple of weeks.

new to pace

sling as reminder

by PaceCahr - 2024-09-06 17:58:44

I used the sling as kind of a large belt that restrained my elbow near my waist.

Arm was not in the sling proper, but my incision and arm was painfree enough that I found myself just tossing the arm up to do something (take a dish out of an above counter cabinet) and panic'd that I'd really screw it up. There just wasn't pain in moving that would keep me from using the arm. I certainly used the arm, but mindfully, because of the minorly annoying restraint. Kept the sling on the elbow at night too. 

I was _really_ scared about mindlessly doing something to dislodge the leads in those first 6 weeks.  And raising it over my head in my sleep, was one of those things I could imagine me waking up to discover.  

Side slerping

by Insane Bolt - 2024-09-07 00:29:58

Agree with Lavender. Arm sling caused my arm to swell. Slept in recliner but now comfortable on me back. Psychologically, I think my brain trained itself to sleep on my back! Used to be right side sleeper. But do what suits your current needs. You will find in a few weeks/months that things dó get better. Sleep tight😴

recovery varies

by dwelch - 2024-09-09 00:52:17

looking at other posts, wish I had a recliner (yes I am an adult and could have and still can buy one...)

You are a little over a week in if I am looking at the calendar right.  Night one sucks, embrace the suck.  First night first device, and first night with new/extra leads I stayed in the hospital, moving from this chair to the bed to the chair to standing, embrace the suck. they come in every six hours to do stuff including antibiotics you dont get if you go home....Anywyay, night one, sucks.  Every day/night the first week gets slightly better, no expectations of sleeping more than an hour or two in a row before having to move or sit up for a while.  Week two, maybe sleep on the other side thorugh the night, maybe not.  it is not until somewhere in week two or three that I exepect to have any success at all on the left side, as in a few hours in a row before having to roll back (likely with great pain).  (im a bigger guy than you)

Getting dressed, washing hair with both hands, driving, etc.  All take different amounts of time, you will see some of us are driving on day three or so, within the first week.   (automatic transmission, no power steering and manual on my 65 suburban was NOT fun).  I dont take any pain meds, the pain will tell you where the limit is and you should find the limit daily, you will find the elbow will get a little higher each day, you can sleep a little longer each attempt. getting dressed gets a little easier each day.

If you drive on the correct side of the road (lol) then big fuzzy fake sheepskin seat belt cover, first days use it just below the device to keep the belt off, rest of your life use it over the device for comfort.

Pro tip. medical tape and food storage bags, tape the bag so it covers your device, top and the sides, then you can just take a shower like normal-ish (one handed).  

Yes every one peels the last strips off, they dont wait, you will too.

All of this will be over before you know it, back to normal-ish in weeks (with a new better heart).  And within the year it will be like a middle toe or belly button you will have forgotten that you have it, until you bump it into something.

I wouldnt use words like safe to, although first device and must have been early days I managed to get a lead around the device and on the skin side.  was a teenager and I think I remember when I did it.  Just do things slowly the first few weeks, you want to creep up on the pain boundry not blast through it.  Just take everything slow and by the time you forget to take everything slow it is because you are back to doing normal stuff.

Welcome to the club.  Ask all the questions you want.