When can I sleep on incision side?

Hi everyone! This is my very first post by the way. =) I received my St. Jude pacemaker this past Thursday, 10/20/11, due to sinus bradycardia. I am already feeling better! I have not felt the need to lay down and sleep all day like I used to. My question is about sleeping. I usually toss from side to side when I sleep and of course I have been avoiding sleeping on the side where my incision is. In my discharge instructions there is no info on this. When can I resume sleeping/lying on that side?

Also, my entire arm aches non-stop. I have been making an effort to try to use it, per dr.'s orders so I don't get a stiff shoulder, but maybe I am not using it enough? It is kind of like the feeling when your arm is asleep. It actually bothers me more than the incision. Any ideas?

6 Comments

Welcome To PM Club

by SMITTY - 2011-10-22 10:10:27

Hi Kerrbear,

Sleeping on the side of your PM implant can take place in a couple of days after implant. Don't sleep in such way that it puts weight or pressure on the pacemaker. Also do whatever is necessary to ensure that you do not raise your elbow on that side above your shoulder. I put my arm on a short leash for about a week.

The rule of not raising your arms probably should be followed for a 3 or 4 weeks, or whatever your doctor says you should do. As for how much you can use your arm, I think you can use the arm as much as you wish so long as you watch the elbow and do not lift more than 10 lbs for a for about 3 weeks. Of course these are my best guesses. Your doctor is the one to answer all of your questions in case there is someting out of the ordinary about your implant that your doctor would know about.

Good Luck,

Smitty

when it doesn't hurt

by Tracey_E - 2011-10-23 03:10:16

It's safe now, just go with how you feel. Mine is buried fairly deep and it took about 3 months before I could sleep on my left side. I hugged a small pillow with my left arm to keep from rolling in it in my sleep.

If it feels like your arm is asleep rather than just stiff/sore, I would check in with the dr. That sounds more like nerve than regular healing. It should go away on its won as you heal but I'd check anyway. Ditto what Smitty said, be sure to use the arm, just keep it low and don't overdo it with weight.

Thanks

by kerrbear79 - 2011-10-23 09:10:48

Thank you for the replies! Well my arm no longer has that achy asleep feeling anymore thank goodness. Last night I made the mistake of sleeping on my stomach. I was fine while I was on my tummy, as in no pain, then when I turned over and once I guess the pressure was released it started hurting near incision. I sure hope I didn't do any damage, but everything was fine today. Besides the minor pain, the worst part of this whole recovery is not being able to pick up my 15 month old and not being able to wear deodorant for a month! However not feeling the need to sleep all day long definitely outweighs those negatives.

Hello :)

by cazzbeth - 2011-10-23 10:10:55

Hi and welcome to the pacemaker club. I also have sinus bradycardia and had a pacemaker put in on the 1st Aug this year. I didnt sleep on my side for about 4 weeks I think and then gradually felt the ease to move around on that side. You will probably know when you can as it starts to feel like it is not a beacon during sleep. It really doesnt bother me anymore. I kinda have forgotten that I even have it in. In I cant recall ever being told that I shouldnt sleep on that side and I did ask about it. Dr said to me when it is comfortable. The raising of the arm is a different story as I see you know about. I didnt raise my arm above my head for 6 weeks and it seems to have worked. I certainly do it it now and all the activities I did before PM and I havent had any problems with leads or whatever else could have gone wrong. Anyway take care I wish you all the best :o)

Caroline

Careful

by michelefromthemitten - 2011-10-23 11:10:10

If the arm becomes an issue again, be safe and get it checked out. I had the same issue, along with discoloration and fullness of my veins, and it ended up being a deep vein blood clot. Things would have been a lot easier if I would have found out sooner! A simple ultrasound or venogram can rule out thrombosis. Also, I am 8 months post implant and still have trouble sleeping on my left side. I hope that changes soon!

sling

by djtirrell - 2011-10-26 09:10:30

I am only 3 weeks and a few days into my PM. I have not slept on my stomach, and am afraid to sleep on the arm (left side). My arm aches alot, and the doctor had me take off my sling at my 1 week appt. I have been scared to death that in my sleep i would raise my left arm over my head, and I DID! I made my own choice to wear my sling again just when i sleep. Also had the numbness feeling you have had.

Best wishes to you!

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