Mountaineering Backpacks

I'm 30 yr old, and just had a pacemaker installed a week ago. I've got no problem giving up rugby and other contact sports, but I can't give up skiing. I've been teaching skiing for many years now, and recently taken up ski mountaineering. The doctor assured me that mountain climbing and skiing wouldn't be affected by my PM.

After having it installed for a week, I'm surprised how close to the surface the PM is. I'm worried about the use of a heavy (50-100 lb) backpack, especially on multiple-day trips, pressing against the PM. My thoughts are either obtaining some sort of padded shoulder armor, or modifying the shoulder strap to create a "pocket" around the PM, by adding and removing padding.

Any thoughts on how to carry heavy loads with a PM? Surely I can't be the first ski mountaineer with a PM...

10 Comments

I was going to say also..

by turboz24 - 2008-07-21 01:07:08

I was going to mention that this should have been brought up with your doctor before the implant, but I pretty much did the same thing. I didn't realize how large and in the way my ICD was going to be, so I can not carry or wear anything that lies over my ICD location. Any pressure, like say if I pushed my thumb against my ICD is quite painful, so I doubt I can carry anything over my left shoulder.

Depending on the location of the pacemaker, you might be able to get the strap to lie far enough away from the PM, but I'm with TraceyE, it's going to be the pressure that will bother you.

Hello Fellow Backpacker

by LIVE_STRONG - 2008-07-21 03:07:09

I am also very new. I will be getting my PM on Friday..so your one step ahead of me.

How ever I did ask about backpacking...as I am very active...and going up into the mountains is one of my favorite things to do.

I am having my PM placed under my breast so as not to get in the way of a pack.
Fortunately I found this site before hand....so I asked my doctor to place it so I could still be active and backpack.

i realize this may be a little late as yours is already implanted....but you could have it moved.

Once again.....I am new too....hope I helped somewhat.

Holly

Thanks

by lordhedgie - 2008-07-21 03:07:48

I did discuss it with my doctor, but there was never any mention of moving the implant to a different location. Until the surgery, I hadn't realized how close the skin the implant was -- the doctor had said once I had healed, I really wouldn't know it was there. Yeah, right.

Although it's only been in a week, it's really not painful at all. I still have a "torn musle" feeling if I move my left arm too much, but it's rapidly improving, too. Pressing gently on the PM produces no pain whatsoever.

My thought in padding the strap wasn't to pad the area above the PM, but rather pad the area above and below the PM, then remove padding from the strap directly over the PM itself. The idea is I could create a "pocket" for the PM bulge to fit into.

And no, a one-strap backpack won't handle the loads I need to carry. Skis, tent, backpack, shovel, water, food, etc... That adds up quick. :)

skiing is fine

by Tracey_E - 2008-07-21 10:07:57

You can definitely ski! That was one of the first things I learned to do when I got my first pm 15 yrs ago (was never allowed any sport before that).

Like Holly, I have a submammary implant so backpacks aren't an issue for me either. You're a long way off from a battery change, but you might want to think about asking them to relocate it when you get it replaced. I don't know why more surgeons don't take in to account our lifestyle when they do the placement.

Would one of those bags that goes over one shoulder and crosses your body be big enough? If not, modifying a standard pack it is probably your best bet. I don't know that padding will help because it's the pressure that will bother you.

should work

by Tracey_E - 2008-07-22 11:07:40

Building it up sounds like a good plan. You may have to make some adjustments, but it's a good place to start. Sounds like you have enough muscle that you don't have the sensitivity around the implant that some of the others do.

Ya know, they do make chair lifts and hotels, right? (just kidding LOL). I'm a wimp, I love to ski but only on pretty days when the snow is good and I know there's a hot shower, good dinner, and comfy bed at the end of the day. And a martini, martinis are good :o)

not a problem

by gevans - 2008-07-29 10:07:19

I just returned from five days on the Shore to Shore trail in Michigan and had no trouble with the pacemaker being impinged by my backpack. I did however place foam makeup pads above and beside the site and fastened them to my strap. I also loosened the sternum connection so that the strap did not creep inwards over time. Ordinarily I'm an ultra-lite hiker, but I had to take a 55 lb pack because of the paucity of potable water on this trip (had a three liter bladder in my camelback + two side containers and filtering devices).

Everything worked splendedly (except for incessant rain and numerous river fording). Having a pacemaker should not keep anyone from enjoying the lifestyle they love. I'm as active now as I was pre-PM.

Gary

back pack

by Mary Thompson - 2008-08-05 05:08:30

I loosen my shoulder strap on my back pack on the side of my pm. I've considered getting the padded straps that can be put over car seat belts if I need to increase my back pack weight. Would this work for you??

I've tried to find some sort of padding to wear while bike riding as my pm pokes through my skin and would be the first thing to hit the pavement/tree in the event of an accident. Would be nice if someone created a make-it-yourself list of things to use when we are active. Keep us posted.
Mary

Soft Touch

by barefooter - 2008-11-18 10:11:47

Yesterday I found out about a product called "Soft Touch" it is made to pad your ICD / PM from your seat belt, it is a gel filled c shaped pad and may work well as a back pack strap pad also, you can check it out at - www.aboutsofttouch.com

Hope this helps!
barefooter

PM, backpacks

by rjedwards - 2011-02-05 10:02:10

I have had my PM 6 weeks. I am a cyclist and use a backpack and it is often heavy (maybe 30#). At first, I used padding because it was uncomfortable but now, discomfort is not such a problem (although it it is winter and cold here, so I am wearing heavy coat), BUT I am concerned about whether the strap across the PM might, over time, dislodge or break the leads. Anyone have info on this risk?

PM, backpacks

by lordhedgie - 2011-02-06 02:02:00

I stopped using padding entirely after it stopped hurting, and I've been slowly increasing the weight as it bothers me less. These days my shoulders and back give out long before I worry about the PM. After doing multi-day camping/skiing trips carrying several days worth of gear plus skis and boots and seeing no problems, I'm not worried about it anymore. For summer skiing, I'll frequently carry 30# with no padding other than a t-shirt.

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My pacemaker is intact and working great.