Recovery

I had a dual chamber PM put in 3 days ago, I had sick sinus syndrome and have had 2 ablations that didnt work. Am feeling better already but am concerned about how much movement is safe. Would it take quite a bit to dislodge a lead? is it normal to be a bit worried?

5 Comments

New Pacemaker

by SMITTY - 2011-10-10 06:10:38


Hello Lynquinn,

Welcome to the Pacemaker Club.

I'll take your last question first. "Is it normal to be a bit worried?" Yes it is normal but totally unnecessary. You got your PM because of SSS, which is a low heart rate. Your PM has two set points, a low set point and a high set point. What is programmed to do is monitor your heart rate and if it drops below the low set point then it comes on line and keeps your heart rate at least that fast. If your heart rate goes above the high set point the PM becomes a monitor only while waiting to see if its help is again needed.

I know that sounds simple, but honestly with SSS (by the way, that is why I got my first one in 2000) it is that simple.

As for how much movement is allowed that is something your Dr should tell you as we are all different. Generally speaking we should not raise our elbow on the side where the PM is implanted for a few weeks. In my case it was about three weeks and I was not allowed to lift more than 10 lbs for a few weeks. Other than that I had no restrictions. To tell the truth I was seldom aware I had a PM after about two weeks.
As for how much movement will it take to dislodge a lead, that too is one for the Dr., But from what I know it is not easily done, but can happen, thus the restrictions on arm movement.

Now one piece of advice. Don't let that PM take control of your life. It is nothing but a helper for your heart. Should it decided to quit (I think the sun will rise in the West before that will happen) your heart function will revert back to doing what it was doing before you got the PM and you would go back to the Dr for a replacement.

So take it easy and don't worry about your PM or what it is doing.

Smitty


totally normal

by michelle29 - 2011-10-10 10:10:59

OMG i was worried like CRAZY for the first 2 weeks about my leads pulling out. It is totally normal. It goes away. I had a dual PM put in 2 months ago (i am 29) and i am getting uste to it. it is always on my mind but i am feeling much much better!!! GOOD LUCK!

Recovery

by lynquinn - 2011-10-11 05:10:33

Hi Smitty and Michelle, Thanks for the great advice, I feel so much better knowing I'm not crazy!! just love the Pacemaker Club

Recovery

by lynquinn - 2011-10-13 05:10:41

Thanks Kate,
It has now been 6 days since implant and I am feeling really good, only a little discomfort now and again. I have been walking every day and its so good not to feel exhausted all the time. So glad I found the PM Club it has made this whole experience so much easier, I really appreciate that you guys took the time to make me feel better about everything.
lynquinn

SSS as well

by kate1615 - 2011-10-13 11:10:34

Hi Lynquinn,
I got my PM for SSS (brady-tachy) a little over a year ago. Behave yourself during the specified period, but then do whatever you want. I had such a buzz from getting my circulation back that I celebrated by planting a tree and excavating my side yard (by hand). Prior to the PM I would fall asleep by 6pm, could barely climb the stairs, and really struggled with remembering things.
As with yours, my PM only works when necessary. During extreme exercise, you might have a woozy moment before it kicks in -- it's transient and normal.
Kate

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Member Quotes

The experience of having a couple of lengths of wire fed into your heart muscle and an electronic 'box' tucked under the skin is not an insignificant event, but you will survive.