recovery

How long do I have to recover before I can lay on my left side and on my stomach? I had my pacemaker installed May 18th. How easy is it for the leads to come out of your heart after 1 month? I have worn my sling 1 month is it necessary to wear it longer?

5 Comments

sleepless left side

by ronilee - 2012-06-12 08:06:23

Hi Bodie, why can you not lay on your left side? I had my PM May 1 & I can't lay on mine either. When I mentioned it to my cardilogist he thought that strange. He said it should be healed enough, but if so there is something wrong. He said probably just the continued pericarditis. I have somewhat of a "stabbing" pain. Hope you can get to all sides soon!

left side sleeping - not me

by natandhop - 2012-06-12 10:06:45

Hi Bodie, My PM was implanted 3-14-12 and I still don't sleep on my left side. If I do, it isn't for long as I feel pressure and stinging around the PM itself.

I'm sure there are plenty of folks who have no problems sleeping on their left side, just not me. Sorry I can't be helpful.

Wishing you well,
Natalie

About 3 weeks

by Mutt - 2012-06-13 01:06:28

I had my ICD put in on 4/30 and am very comfortable sleeping on my left side.

sling

by Tracey_E - 2012-06-15 04:06:26

Ditch the sling!!! You didn't need it after the second day. You should wait a little longer (2-3 weeks) before lifting heavy weight or raising your arm above shoulder level but it's important to move the arm otherwise normally so you don't get frozen shoulder.

It takes me 2-3 months to comfortably sleep on my left side again after surgery. I've had 4 now :)

Up to you

by kermiehiho - 2012-06-19 04:06:13

I would say whenever it's comfortable for you. I still lie on my stomach with my arms positioned to take pressure off the pacemaker, and it's been two years. I avoided lying on my left even after the scar had healed because it felt like I was squashing the pacemaker into my chest. But really, I think as long as you're not pulling open your incision while you lie on your stomach, or you're not raising your hands above your head in any of these positions, I doubt there's any risk of pulling out your leads.

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