Don't "freeze"!

Hello dear pacers,

It's been four months that I had my PM implanted.
I came here to tell you about a small (I guess small) complication that I have been suffering during the last month.
My cardiologist asked me not to carry heavy loads and don't stretch the arm above the shoulder level and not to comb the hair for one month...LOL (of course, not to use the arm where the PM was implanted), but seriously, I think I followed the instructions too seriously. One night, when I tried to turn to one side of the bed and cover myself with a blanked, I felt a very sharp pain on my left shoulder (the same side of the pm). I was doing a very common and innocent movemt with my arm. After that event, I have been feeling a terrible pain on the shoulder. It ached everywhere in the beginning. I went to a traumatologist, I had my shoulder analysed through ecography and apparently no rupture of any ligament, specially the 'mangito rotador' (or, in English, the rotator cuff tendon). I still have to go back to the traumatologist to see what is causing the pain. After the accute period, the pain is concentrated at the back of the shoulder and at the very position of the biceps tendon.

Well, during my first visit to the traumatologist, he said it could be that I had my shoulder too much moveless for a much longer period prior to the pacemaker implant and the problem increased during the period that I was too much moveless.

So this is a word for people who have had pm implanted recently. Don't be too much afraid to move your shoulder. It is necessary to balance things. Don't carry heavy loads that could cause problems to the stiches but don't stay too much afraid of exercises. They are important for the general health. If I'm not mistaken, our body is 60% water. So, we need to exercise so that the movable parts don't get dry and our tendons don't start to shrink.
I will be back here next week to tell you what the traumatologist conclusion was. Ah, and just to let you know, this pain gets terribly sharp when I use the notebook on the desk. I forgot to mention that to my doctor. It may surely have connection or possibly be the cause number one of the pain. I think I'll have to buy a usb keyboard for my notebook, so that I can write more comfortably.
I'll let you know as soon as I have the doctor's answer.

Lucio Castro
from Brazil.

3 Comments

I am experiencing similar pain

by mkaz03 - 2013-11-02 08:11:24

My left arm, slightly below the shoulder is in terrible pain if I move that arm too quickly, move the arm behind me or lay on it a certain way. While grocery shopping yesterday it also felt like the pain radiated down to my fingers as I was pushing the carriage. Funny thing though it has not hurt during my golf swing but does hurt if I use me left hand to place the golf tee in the ground.
I think I also was very careful not to extend this arm for about 8 week,although I certainly did use it. I am interested to hear what you find out and how they will treat it. For now I am trying heat through my hot tub and some ice and trying to swing the arm back and forth a few times a day. Eventually I may need to see my primary care physician.

Hi Lucio

by Casper - 2013-11-03 11:11:43

I have to agree with Angry Sparrow regarding "Use it or Loose it", it appears you may have been overly caution with your left side.

Let us know how your doctor's visit goes this coming week.

Take it easy.

Caper

Thanks, Lucio

by Tao - 2013-11-13 11:11:51

I had my pacemaker implanted just three days ago, so your remark about gentle exercise has arrived just in time to avoid such a problem... I hope! I will try some gentle exercise. I must admit the advice you were given seems a little extreme. I was certainly not told to be as careful! I was just told to avoid carrying heavy things, and not to ride my bike, or horses for a couple of months. Let's keep this subject alive with updating info!

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