Recovery Time

Hi Everyone:

I had a 3 lead ICD implanted on the 23 of June this year, can anyone tell me on the time frame required for the leads to permanently attach itself in order to have free mobility of your arm?

I have been given different time frames from the nurse, from the Hospital printout at discharge and from the visiting nurse including from Medtronic's technician.

6 Comments

My experience

by Heidiglassmeyer - 2010-07-04 01:07:58

Hello,
I can only tell you my experience with a dual lead pm 2/10, I was directed 2 weeks. I would give your Dr. a call on Monday for clarification. Have a great weekend!
Heidi

They really don't know

by ElectricFrank - 2010-07-04 03:07:26

Your experience with all sorts of time periods is common. From posts here on the forum I have heard anywhere from 2-8 weeks.

I started gently increasing the range of movement of my left arm about 2 wks after implant and slowly worked up to more. Actually, I inadvertently stretched my arms over my head once at about a week. Never did have any problems with leads. If the pacer is implanted with sufficient slack in the leads it shouldn't be a problem.

frank

Recvery time

by roy haycock - 2010-07-04 12:07:40

I am due to have three leads replaced on 25th July and my recovery notes give a timescale of 4 weeks.
I would go with the advice of the Medtronic technician as he/she should have the most up-to-date information.
Roy

I too got conflicting info

by cruz - 2010-07-06 01:07:58

I decided to err on the side of safety. My written instructions said no reaching over my head for 8 weeks. My lead placement was referred to as "no ideal" and I didn't want to take any chances they would have to "re-do" the thing so I just waited for what seemed like an eternity to be able to hold my arm up over my head. It gets very aggravating. I was told to gently move the arm to keep from getting the freeze in the socket. I was also told not to reach forward and pull anything toward me. It was a very frustrating time, but seems to have resulted in leads that have finally settled!!!

ICD Lead Fell Out

by PM4LIFE - 2010-07-06 07:07:11

I got upgraded to a ICD June 16th at 8am, Had a Echo at 5PM and at 12 midnight the lead to my Ventricle fell out.
They said that the ECHO may have caused it - you have to take big deep breaths and hold it for each angle of the ECHO. By holding the DEEP BREATH, as I was told to do- this drops your diaphragm and your heart drops.
That dropping of my heart loosened the new lead and when I was changing position from on my back to my side - pop. I was disconnected and went back into Heart-Block HR at 40bpm and felt hot and breathless. At 8am they reinserted the lead - but this time they said they gave me a lot of slack (extra wires). If this was the case - I suggest to anyone getting leads inserted - ask the Surgeon to put in extra lengths (a lot of slack) to offset the chance that you may take a deep breath, Cough, or accidentally raise your arm above your shoulder before complete submersion. Oh - refuse an ECHO until your time frame is up!!!

Medtronic tech?

by ElectricFrank - 2010-07-07 01:07:12

This is one area where the Medtronic rep may not be the best source. The cardiologist was the one that inserted the leads and should have a better idea of how firmly they were attached and how much slack he allowed.

That isn't to say that the Medtronic rep isn't knowledgeable about it though.

My suggestion is to ask what they are basing their information on. Is it just a guideline or is it based on what they saw during the implant.

frank

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