Sleeping

Hi, I'm new to this site and just got mine pace maker 1 week ago, I doing fine except sleeping I have to wear a sling and I would wondering if anyone else had that problem for awhile and how long did you wear the sling? Thank you

6 Comments

Sling - interesting subject

by donr - 2013-08-31 06:08:10

Welcome aboard Shar!!!!! Consider me the official Wal-Mart greeter. I'm old enough.

You will get a different answer about slings from everyone who writes. Tracey will tell you "Ditch the sling!!!!!"

The correct answer depends on how YOU take to the PM & sleeping. I found it helpful to wear it at night because I routinely awaken w/ my arms over my head. Stupid thing did nothing for me till I took it & had a belt stitched to it in an upholstery shop to keep my elbow against my waist. All the difference in the world.

Reality - you do NOT really need the sling if you can keep that elbow below the shoulder.

Hope all goes smoothly from here on out.

Don

Sling the sling?

by Selwyn - 2013-08-31 07:08:53

As Don says you get different answers. Here is one hospital's advice:

Do not wear the sling upon discharge. Perform the range-of-motion exercises that your doctor discussed 10 times each hour while you are awake to prevent frozen shoulder. Do not lift the affected arm over your head on the side the device was put in for 3 weeks. Do not lift or push more the 10 pounds for 6 weeks. Do not drive for 3 weeks.
Do not do any vigorous activity, such as golfing or mowing for about 6 weeks. If you work, you may return to work in about 1 week after the procedure ((http://texasheartrhythm.com/ntaa-postop-instructions-pacemaker.pdf)

During the first 24 to 48 hours following pacemaker/ICD implantation, the arm of the accessed shoulder is often immobilized with a sling. Upon discharge, patients may be given this common postsurgical advice: “Don't lift more than 10 pounds for the first 2 weeks after surgery” or “Avoid lifting the affected arm higher than the shoulder level for the first few weeks after implantation” . Physicians differ in their opinions about the use of slings. Some require their patients to use them; others do not and instead encourage their patients to perform range-of-motion exercises. Neither of these practices has been thoroughly investigated.
Some hospitals never use the sling, while others require it for 4 weeks. Four hospitals, each in a different state, use an elastic bandage wrap to restrain the arm and shoulder (more restrictively than a sling) for times ranging from 24 to 72 hours. Patients at one hospital are told not to lift their affected arm over the shoulder for 6 weeks, while those at another hospital are told they have unrestricted use of the arm immediately after surgery.A study shows that patients can safely perform resistive range-of-motion exercises soon after pacemaker/ICD surgery. It is believed that the immobilization practiced at many institutions is overly restrictive, promotes fear, and hinders recovery. Instead of focusing on joint immobilization and activity restrictions, health care providers in cardiac electrophysiology need to develop consistent guidelines that encourage patients to perform safe activities that promote healing and help them return quickly to normal daily life.
Ref: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2626349/

Basically, I would follow Don's advice. It seems very sensible. Somewhere between 3-4 weeks before raising the elbow higher than the shoulder. Sling the sling if you can comply with this. Remember if you continue to wear the sling during the day you are at risk of a frozen shoulder- the effect of this can last months and is a source of great pain.

Bathrobe belt works too!

by Marie12 - 2013-09-01 01:09:22

Like everyone else, I was told to keep elbow below shoulder for four weeks. I sleep on my stomach with my left elbow close to my head. I tied a bathrobe belt to my waist and the other end to my wrist. This kept my arm in place without having the discomfort of a sling (because I sleep on my stomach).

I stopped using it after four weeks, however, found my ICD was moving more and was uncomfortable because my elbow was over my shoulder more often both during the day and at night. I used my arm normally during the day and tied myself up at night for an additional two weeks and now everything is fine.

24 Hours For Me

by Many Blessings - 2013-09-01 01:09:59

I only had to wear my sling for 24 hours, but I was in the hospital for a week (additional surgery was done) where they could make sure I wasn't putting my arm over my head in my sleep. Once I got home and in my own bed, I was constantly waking up with my arm over my head, but hated the sling so much, I wouldn't put it back on.

Like the others said, do the shoulder/arm exercises advised so you don't get frozen shoulder. I had that prior to my procedure/surgery and it got worse afterwards. Religiously doing several frozen shoulder exercises I found on Youtube several times a day, and using a "shake weight" cured it completely!

Good luck, and sleep well!

My experience

by Jonny - 2013-09-01 09:09:12

I had my PM fitted here in the UK almost 4 weeks ago. I think the use of slings is very uncommon here in the UK, and I certainly have not needed one. I was very worried at the beginning about lifting my arm above shoulder height, but the technicians told me at my week one review not to worry too much as they consider it to only be a problem if you stretch too far or use fast and/or jerky motion when the arm is lifted. I slept for the first week only on my back and got reasonably use to it though it did bring on a bit of indigestion during the night from time to time. I now sleep also partially on my right side (PM is on left) and find this works for me. Before my PM I slept on my left side mainly so it has taken a bit of time to adjust. I also use a warm wheat bag under my neck when I go to bed, as I find this relaxes me and I soon drift off.

I keep my arm as mobile as possible, using it just as I did pre PM, other than obviously being careful in not lifting high and with heavy objects. I suffered with frozen shoulder some years ago and you definitely don't want that as it takes months to get over.

Best of luck and welcome to the club.

John

Thank you!

by Shar - 2013-09-08 09:09:56

Thank you everyone for the welcome advise about the sling.

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