Doing too much?

I live in the US, but was on vacation in Ireland and had to have a pacemaker put in. The hospital there said I should take it easy for a week or two and then just continue on with my life. All they gave me in the surgery was a local. I did see a cardiologist here just yesterday and he tested the pacemaker and said everything was fine. Now I've been reading some of the comments and it seems I may be doing too much too soon. I am a bit sore. I've had no brusing or bleeding. My wound is almost healed. Today I went in the pool (didn't swim hard) to cool off. I drove already. Am I pushing it too much? It terrifies me that one of the wires could stop working. Can someone tell me what I shouldn't do in the next few weeks? Thanks. LisB

5 Comments

You will be fine...

by donr - 2013-06-30 01:06:31

...Lis, do not worry about the wires coming out.

I have to assume that you had the implant a week ago because you did not specify.

Here's what pretty standard US guidelines are:

1) DO NOT raise the elbow on the PM side above the shoulder for 6 weeks.

2) Do not lift any more than a gallon of milk (that's 8 lbs, FYI) for that same period.

3) No driving for 6 weeks, but that one varies w/ the cardio.

4) Walk all you want starting immediately.

5) Do not get the incision wet for at least two weeks. Now this one gets violated all over by hosts who put a waterproof bandage over it & get into hot tubs.

6) I hope all you did was doggy paddle while in the water. Any other stroke would take the elbow above the shoulder.

7) as to the wires - if you follow this routine, no sweat about wires coming out. AFter a week, probably no sweat no matter what you do. there's a lot of slack in the wires between the PM & the anchor point. The leads should be anchored w/ a stitch at the point of entry into the subclavian vein & there's usually plenty of slack in the vein enroute to the heart.

People worry too much about leads coming out - IF they are implanted correctly, they will NOT come out.

Remember one important thing about this site.....A lot of the members are here because they either have problems or they have questions. There are tens of millions of PM's out there just a'tickin' away successfully for their hosts. This is the collecting point for folks w/ troubles. There are only about 20,000 members of this site, so you CANNOT judge the frequency of problems based on the members here. Most of us get our problems solved w/ help from the denizens of the PMC & then go on their way, happy as a clam in MA mud. Many others stick around to help newbies get acquainted w/ their new best buddies & answer questions. Yes, they have a life - it's helping other PM hosts.

BTW: Welcome aboard, glad to have you.

Don

LisB

by IAN MC - 2013-06-30 05:06:13

It was great reading your post which so accurately described a PM installation for most people... it is minor surgery and no big deal !

I'm sure that people waiting for their first PM will be really encouraged by your post. ( and will be queuing up to fly to Ireland ! )

You ask what you shouldn't do in the next few weeks ...I suggest that you shouldn't read the posts on here !!!

Best of luck

Ian

it's all good!

by Tracey_E - 2013-06-30 10:06:31

Drs vary on their instructions, but it's highly unlikely a lead will come loose after the first 48 hours so anything after that is just precaution. I, too, wasn't given instructions after my first one, just take it easy for a week or two.

You had special treatment !

by IAN MC - 2013-07-01 05:07:07

Normally in Ireland the only thing you get is a pint of Guinness ! You had special treatment as a visitor.

Glad you survived it OK

Ian





thanks everyone

by LisB - 2013-07-01 12:07:11

Everyone, thanks for all of the good advice and well wishes. I do feel very lucky to have the surgeons I had and the nurses, also, but I wouldn't head to Ireland too fast for the surgery. All they gave me before the procedure was 3 shots in my insertion site with a local. I was aware and awake and talking all through it. And it was not pleasant. It hurt like hell.

You know you're wired when...

You run like the bionic man.

Member Quotes

At age 20, I will be getting a pacemaker in few weeks along with an SA node ablation. This opportunity may change a five year prognosis into a normal life span! I look forward to being a little old lady with a wicked cane!