are they out?

I had my pacemaker put in over a week ago. I have to say I am not in any pain hardly and i can sleep on my left side but I have struggled not putting my arm up. or is it just the elbow that counts? Is it more than likely my leads are out of place now?

8 Comments

hi

by Marissa - 2012-03-18 05:03:41

Actually i'm suprised youve managed to put your arm above your head already. Doesn't it hurt when you've done that? I still havent and i'm 5 weeks post op. When my elbow goes above my shoulder even a little bit (yes its the elbow that matters),I feel it shifting. 1 week post op it would have hurt like mad. When you raise your elbow above the level of your shoulder your pectoral muscle shifts up by about 2 inches, thats the concern with it in the weeks following surgery.

Having said all that, i'm sure you would know if a lead had displaced, due to a return of symptoms (unless youre like me and you're only pacing a teeny bit of the time).

M

Same problem

by ElectricFrank - 2012-03-19 01:03:33

Back in 2004 when I got my first pacer I had the same problem. I did pretty good in bed, but I would catch myself stretching both arms over my head. I gave my wife the job of yelling a me when I did. Like you that wasn't at all painful. For me anything that squeezed the incision would let me know.

I really think the arm over the head is greatly overblown. If the leads are securely attached to the inside of the heart and the doc leaves some slack in them its unlikely that we will pull them loose. If you stop and think about it, the leads are attached to a wildly beating heart wall which is bound to flop them around. I did one of those big over the head stretches the next day after implant and I still have the same nicely working leads 7 yrs later.

My guess is that the leads that detach are due to not being well attached in the first place or a diseased heart that doesn't provide much support. In that case they will likely come out anyway.

Now, having said all that it is still a good idea to go easy on them for a few weeks. Just don't obsess on it or even worse cause shoulder problems from lack of movement.

Glad you are doing well. Enjoy your new friend. I get along fine with mine.

frank

frank

thankyou!

by lvanlue - 2012-03-19 07:03:30

thankyou both for your comments :)

I am just surprised that i'm not in any physical pain and i'm not on pain killers haha! so i'm just paranoid and thinking the worst really.

It's just putting on tshirts that i struggle with really and shower stuff. when it hurts i stop but it's not putting my arm up over my head. It's when i have an itch hahaha!

I had 4 procedures done so i think i just have a high tolerance level maybe. Glad your both getting on so well with your devices :)

Lydia

Had my Paranoids removed

by ElectricFrank - 2012-03-20 01:03:42

back int the 30's along with my tonsils. Maybe that's why this stuff doesn't bother me. LOL

Seriously, there is a major difference in the experience of pain from how we handle it. In the 1980's I had major back surgery and was on my feet walking around 5 hours afterward. Never did have a pain shot. They kept coming in with the needle, but I just didn't need it. I told one aggressive RN who was going to make sure I got the shot cuz "doctor ordered it". I told if she tried she would be leaving my room with the needle in her hind end.

frank

i know what you mean

by lvanlue - 2012-03-20 09:03:50

Lol! I had quinsy 6times also. Oblation. Tonsils out. Scarlet fever. The lot!! Guess i know what other pain is too. Haha! Liking your story. :) i was up after the general after the 3hours they made me stay in bed for. After 3 days of chasing doctors no one still has come back to me to see if my leads can be checked.

Lydia

water around the heart.

by lvanlue - 2012-03-25 08:03:26

turns out all my pain was because of water around the heart. it is soo painful! has anyone else been through this? i can't believe this has happened really. :(

lydia

Sleep with my arms over my head

by cdegrass - 2012-04-03 05:04:53

It's encouraging to hear I'm not alone when it comes to controlling my arms, especially when I sleep. I just woke up and my left arm was way over my head. I had my PM installed 5 days ago and was told to be very careful. I do my best during the day but I can't seem to control my arm at night. I may have to resort to using a sling.

Now I'm worried I dislodged a lead. How can I tell? I woke up in pain but I think it's because I have not used my arm in 5 days haha.

helllo!

by lvanlue - 2012-04-04 04:04:50

yes wild sleeping isn't good but i heard putting a sling on while you sleep controls it a bit more. :)

The only way you can tell if your lead is out my doctor said was if your in pain like you used to be before the PM was put in, or by getting it checked at hospital.I was told that they are attached to your heart and are quite strong, so unless your wildly dancing the leads will be fine.

My surgeon said that we have to move the arm but not wildly otherwise it will become locked and more sore.

You know you're wired when...

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