2 weeks, 6-8weeks, 3 months? Which is it?

I've been on this site for a number of weeks. I'm now 6 weeks post-implant. I've noticed that several people have posted different recovery times according to their individual cardiologist or EP's recommendations. I was told to wait 2 weeks before I could lift my arm over my head and absolutely no restriction after that. I asked my cardio, if I were someone in a job that required heavy lifting, what my restrictions would be then. He said 2 weeks again, no difference. I'm now dealing with a lot of pain under my collar bone, into my trapezius and sometimes in my shoulder blade. I really wish I'd had a more conservative cardio or nurse that told me to wait 6-8 weeks before doing anything strenuous and I am a little angry. Any thoughts on the huge difference in recovery times? It seems more than just a little irresponsible to have at least a 4 week difference between what's acceptable for some cardios and unacceptable for others.

I wondered at first if there was UK vs. US vs. Canada vs. Europe difference, but I see Tracey is in Florida and was told 6-8 weeks, Agelbert is in Vermont and was told 3 mos., I'm in TX and was told 2 weeks. Just wondering. I'm 44, Tracey's 44 and Agelbert is 65.

7 Comments

6-8 weeks in US

by kermiehiho - 2011-01-06 01:01:39

I'm 25 and I was told 6-8 weeks (they literally said 8 to be safe) no lifting over 10 lbs or "vigorous" movement over my head. I've been feeling an internal pulling discomfort when I try to lift heavy stuff or move my arm above shoulder level (even unconsciously), so I've been keeping my movements relatively restricted through the day.

Recovery Time

by agelbert - 2011-01-06 01:01:45

I wish I knew. When I got implanted it was a complete surprize to me and I didn't know anyone to compare notes with.
There must be some medical literature out there on the average length of time the fibrous tissue takes to surround and anchor the lead(s). I know that the EP has 'window' of time to reposition the lead(s) with surgery without traction difficulty due to fibrous tissue. When a lead is out of position, the EP has to decide whether to reposition it or put a new lead in.
Furthermore, I'm sure that certain medications slow tissue healing while others might hasten it. Another factor is age. The older you are, the slower you heal as a general rule.
Is there a doctor in the house or some other person knowledgable about fibrous tissue growth and lead anchoring that could help us out here?

Between rock and hard place

by ElectricFrank - 2011-01-06 01:01:54

Getting too active too soon and you can maybe cause some healing problems. Being inactive too long and you develop adhesions or frozen shoulder type problems.

Now the question becomes how much is how much LOL

As most of you must know from my posts I tend to get back at it quickly. What you don't know is that I have learned to "listen to my body" for an understanding of what is OK and what is doing damage. My question to the doc isn't " how long do I wait", it's "explain to me why certain activities can cause problems" and "are there some things that may hurt a bit, but aren't worth watching out for". So when I went out for a brisk walk the day after implant I fixed a good sling for support, and didn't stretch my left arm over my head to put a jacket on.

I think many of the docs just figure the patient isn't smart or aware enough to understand this sort of thing and the best thing is to give some severe limits.

My suggestion is to avoid blaming every pain etc. on being too active. It's just part of the healing process.

As I wrote this last it reminded me of our first child born in 1961. At that time childbirth required a week in the hospital with the mother in bed. Two years later delivered our second child at home and Mary insisted on cooking breakfast afterward. What a difference.

frank

3 Weeks

by biker72 - 2011-01-06 05:01:50

I did ride my bicycle the day I got out of the hospital but waited about 3 weeks before I did much overhead reaching.

As mentioned by other posters, Everyone is different.Some people just heal quicker than others.

no one right number

by Tracey_E - 2011-01-06 07:01:53

We all heal differently so there is no one number that's right for everyone. I've read that realistically we will not do any damage after the first 24-48 hours, everything after that is healing time for the pocket and a cushion to make sure the leads have time to grow into place. Six weeks is average and what I was told after my last replacement when I got a new lead. When I got my first one in 1993, different dr a mile down the road, I wasn't given any restrictions just told to not do anything stupid, if it felt bad stop.

Agelbert, the amount of time when they can go in and reposition a lead is about a year. After 48 hrs the scar tissue has started to build up and hold it in place but if they had to remove it they could do it easily (i.e. without the laser sheath) for about a year.

Listening to your doctor

by ElectricFrank - 2011-01-06 11:01:58

That's what they said about investing with Bernie Madoff. Just listen to him. That's what we are paying him for.

Or worse yet, that's what the liposuction doc said before the woman died during his surgery.

In today's hi tech medical world there is almost no doc that can be an expert in everything. That's to be expected, but it also requires honesty on their part and vigilance on ours. Otherwise, be prepared to suffer the consequences.

them's my feelins,

frank

I did listen to my doc. and look what happened

by AmyS - 2011-01-06 12:01:33

Hi Cabg Patch,
The fact is, I did listen to my doctor and after 2 weeks began normal activities. He said it would be OK. It certainly wasn't and I'm in a lot of pain every day now. I've been taking ibuprofen for weeks, thinking that if I can keep the inflammation down, I might get this darn thing to heal.

My whole point was that people with similar devices implanted and similar ages, etc. are told wildly different times to wait. I wish there was a consensus, and from my experience, I wish it would err more on the side of caution.

You know you're wired when...

Your ICD has a better memory than you.

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