Hey, can you answer these questions?

three weeks after surgery, I finally went to an aerobics class (kept my left arm down ?That did feel great!1
But it still feels as if it (pacemaker is right under my collarbone) is "pushing" out..bulging...it hurts then!
also, this isn't as chronic, but i still feel very strange feelings behind my knees, and sometimes in my left elbow (nerve type irritations) Was a nerve damaged in the installation of the pc?

When can we "lift' the left arm? do regular stretches???
some say 6 weeks after surgery..

3 Comments

waiting

by Tracey_E - 2009-01-11 10:01:53

Congrats on doing the aerobics class! These little chunks of titanium are wonders, aren't they?!

Some doctors say as little as 3-4 weeks but most say 6 weeks now. It's best to wait. Odds are good you won't do any damage but it's not worth taking a chance.

Unfortunately, it may always bulge but the soreness should go away slowly over the next few months.

I've never heard of nerve damage affecting knees but sometimes people feel it in their arms until it heals.

Nerve damage

by ElectricFrank - 2009-01-11 12:01:08

The knee problems aren't likely to be directly related to the pacemaker, but it could be related to the surgery. If you were out or given one of the drugs that causes you to forget what happened during the surgery it is common for the OR to put you into positions that can stress or damage joints or other tissue. I was completely awake and several times objected to what they were doing. I realized afterwards that I "free to just do their thing".

Another possibility is vitamin B12 deficiency and can cause a condition called neuropathy After around 55-60 yrs our digestive system starts losing the ability to extract B12 orally and over time the reserves in the liver are used up. The only way to replace it is injections, skin patch, or sublingual. I am 78 and started having knee problems. B12 is slowly restoring things for me, and interestedly is clearing up some other things I had attributed to old age.

frank

frank

Normal

by chillks - 2009-01-12 04:01:05

I would say you are way beyond normal...I could not have done aerobics as quickly as you! However, I also had a massive heart attack so will choose to think that was the reason! At any rate, do not fret over the swelling and tenderness. I got my PM in late June and it is just now not tender, swollen, or hurting. I am small boned and don't weigh a lot, so you can really see mine...but not nearly as much as you could a few months ago! It just takes time for it to seed as well as the leads. I could not put my hands over my head for 6 weeks, couldn't drive for 3 weeks, etc. They are difficult to get used to...but true lifesavers! Good luck...you are doing great! I am proud of you for immediately getting back into the exercising!

You know you're wired when...

Friends call you the bionic woman.

Member Quotes

As for my pacemaker (almost 7 years old) I like to think of it in the terms of the old Timex commercial - takes a licking and keeps on ticking.