28 with a pacer

HI Im 28 and just had my pacer installed 12-17-07. Merry Christmas to me =) IST for 3 years then all of a sudden Brady with a missing P wave so they slapped one in. No other heart issues or conditions that run in the family. I wasnt born with any defect and I dont have any heart disease or structural issues. I have two kids at home. A 2 year old and a 4 week old. I have been told I cant pick my 4 week old up or even support her wieght for at least 4 weeks. How restrictive do I really have to be?

7 Comments

Hi!

by TKS - 2007-12-23 01:12:43

I was told couldn't lift anything heavier than a gallon milk and raise my arm above my head for three weeks. After that I could do about anything I wanted. You want to give the leads time to heal. Don't want to go through having it fixed.

When I got mine implanted I told nurse if they said they were taking it out I would beat them to the hospital...now don't really notice it all that much. Scar does itch and sometimes it feels like it bumps my collar bone but I think that's more me! LOL

Hope you have a Merry Christmas!

Theresa

Welcome

by hooimom - 2007-12-23 02:12:48

I was told to wait 6 weeks to lift my arm or carry anything more than 5 pounds. I know it has to be very difficult not holding your baby, but you don't want a problem with your lead and start all over again! Be as restrictive as your doctor has instructed and be safe.

My experience has been much like Theresa's with the itchiness and bumping into the collar bone but it has been much easeir than I first feared.

Michelle

Hi

by Shelly - 2007-12-23 04:12:05

Hello and welcome.

I had my PM implant 4 weeks tomorrow (Monday) and was told not to lift, push or pull for 2-3 weeks. I'm in the UK, but it seems from all the messages on this forum that 4-6 weeks is what the majority of people are advised, so that's the advice I'm following - I'm cautions like that :-)

That said, it must be so hard for you having your newborn little girl and being told not to lift her - I really feel for you.

As Therea and Michelle have already said, it's best to follow your doctors advise, especially 1 week post implant. If it's any help, I found for the first couple of weeks I couldn't have used my left arm much even if I'd had wanted too. This past week though (3 weeks post implant) I have noticed a big improvement and feel much stronger and the site is less tender.

So, even with the 'stiff upper lip' attitude over here in the UK, if we're being told 2-3 weeks, I'd take it that's the ABSOLUTE MINIMUM time to restrict arm movements.

Please try to take it as easy as you can (with a newborn - like yeah!!) and try to give yourself at least another couple of weeks. You don't want to have to start all over again.

Take care,

Shelly (UK)

Have to be....

by Suzzy - 2007-12-23 04:12:41

I would listen to what your Doctors say, and play it all on the safe side. I know when I first had my pm implanted I was told that I was not to lift anything over 10 punds for at least 6 weeks, and then start gradually.

Keep smiling

Diane
aka - Suzzy

Lifting

by marion - 2007-12-23 10:12:49

Take at least 6 weeks befor you lift. If you pull the leads you will have an even bigger issue. Once the 6 weeks are past you should be fine. Easy does it. Merry Christmas and good luck it will get better... Marion

IST / pacing

by Seska - 2007-12-29 05:12:04

hi, welcome, I also had IST and other arrhythmias and had sudden brady (Junctional too, i.e. no p wave) once my chronic tachycardia had been ablated. Hope things are not too restrictive for you, but it is best to be safe than sorry when it comes to lead stability.

Same boat!

by kim75 - 2007-12-31 02:12:39

I am 32 and just had my pacer implanted (12/28/07). I have a 6 month old baby girl (my first) and it kills me not to be able to pick her up. I am a bit worried as I already think I have been doing too much with my arm after reading these posts! I thought my dr. said no lifting for one week and no lifting my arm above my shoulder for a month. I really can't imagine being able to not lift her for 4 or 6 weeks. I don't know how I will work it out, I will be back to work soon and I have to take her to daycare alone. ugh...

This stinks. :(

Kim

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It may be the first time we've felt a normal heart rhythm in a long time, so of course it seems too fast and too strong.