Advice please!

I just had my pacer implanted 2 weeks. I'm an athletic late 40's . How long before I can raise my arm above my shoulder? How long before I can use my left arm for normal activities or resume vigorous exercise? If had conflicting advice from the EP lab!

5 Comments

I've been told 4 weeks as well

by Angelie - 2008-09-10 11:09:15

Like Frank, my downfall has been stretching out while in the recliner. I also like to sleep with my hands behind my head a lot of the time. This Thursday will be 4 weeks, so I'm excited about becoming more mobile. Wow, I just realized that's tomorrow. Yay! I've been sleeping in the sling that they gave me at the hospital so I wouldn't subconsciously raise my arm. Bye-bye sling-o.
I've also been told by my EP not to push, pull, of lift anything with that arm for 4 weeks, or do any manual labor. He also instructed me not to play my violin for 2 months. UGH.
My cardiologist instructed me NOT to run for 6 weeks after implant. As much as I hate just walking on the treadmill, I'm following his orders because I'd rather walk for 2 weeks longer than to have this lead dislodge. Yikes.
Just do what your docs told ya, and that's the best you can do.
-Angelie

raising arms

by LindaScarberry - 2008-09-10 12:09:11

My doctor said after 4 weeks I could have limited but he really preferred 6 weeks without raising my arm over my shoulder. So I did it because I didn't want to dislodge a lead. I've read too often that it happens. The leads have to imbed into the heart and that takes time. Be patient and go 6 weeks.

good luck
linda

How long?

by ElectricFrank - 2008-09-10 12:09:41

I don't think they really know. In this case it isn't healing time that makes the difference. What they want is for the lead to be encapsulated into the vein wall so that the end in the heart won't be affected by shoulder movement. Hmm, this might be a case where high cholesterol could be an advantage!!

I was told 3 weeks by the cardiologist who did the implant so I went easy on things and after 3 weeks started working up to normal. If you are familiar with how the shoulder joint works you can do some above shoulder movements with the arm without pulling on the leads. My real challenge was forgetting and stretching while sitting in my recliner. My wife had the job of warning me if she saw me about to do it. Even so I managed at least a couple of real stretches without causing any grief.

Glad to hear you are otherwise feeling like getting back to being active. That is a good sign.

frank

Arm High

by richan - 2008-09-14 05:09:14

Hi Derickboy9,
I have been involved with Masters Swimming for several years. When I got my PM, my cardiologist told me not to raise my left arm higher than my shoulder and I could not lift anything heavier that a gallon of milk for 6 weeks. I behaved! I did swim but did not use my left arm. Like Angelie said, do what your doc tells you. It certainly would not me much fun to have your leads re-attached!
Take care,
Richan

Have Had my device for 3 yrs....

by kat_liz_2011 - 2008-10-23 12:10:35

Hello,

I Would like to tell you from my own point.... Im 16 and I love sports and worked out before the device was out in. I took me about 1 1/2 months to 2 months to get my arm to work well enough to exercise again! About the workout I would steer clear of doing heavy weight or anything over your head. Depending on the lead you have put in! Mine broke and shocked me 8 times in a row! So be Careful, Hope it helped.

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Sometimes a device must be tuned a few times before it is right. My cardiologist said it is like fine tuning a car.