NEW

Hi,

I'm new to all of this. Just got an ICD implanted a week ago. PLUS this is my first time in an online support/chat group.

I wore my sling, keeping my upper arm "glued" to my body from shoulder to elbow for the recommended 3 days. Am now without it in the daytime but still wearing it at night for a few more weeks.

What I'm wondering, is aside from not raising it above my shoulder or putting it behind my back (fastening bra, etc.) how much freedom of movement do I have with that arm?

5 Comments

Welcome

by Marie12 - 2013-11-22 11:11:39

Welcome to the group WillieJ. It is great you have found this site. It will be very helpful for you as you adjust to your ICD. Don't be too afraid to move your arm as normal. Just don't raise it above your shoulder. I never wore a sling at all but did find I had to tie a bathrobe belt around my waist and then wrist to keep my arm down at night as I tend to raise my left arm over my head while sleeping.

Did they give you some exercises to do before you were discharged. It is very important to do them several times a day so you do not get frozen shoulder.

Ask any questions at all. There will always be someone here to answer and some have years of experience living with an ICD (I'm only at 4 1/2 months).

I wish someone had told me from the first that when I walked I would feel the ICD moving. That has stopped now but it freaked me out at first. You may also notice that as the swelling goes down, the you feel the ICD protruding more. That is normal too and you do get use to it.

Good luck and take care of yourself.

Thanks

by WillieJ - 2013-11-23 01:11:57

Hi again,

Thanks everyone for the input!

I know the doc does not want me to get a frozen shoulder -- have been told that. That is the reason for only using the sling full-time for 3 days, then using only at night while sleeping.

No, Marie, they did not give me any exercises to do. Maybe at my post-implant check-up next week. However, I no longer have the arm "glued" to my side during the day. Am trying to use the arm as normally as possible without lifting it above my shoulder. With swelling down and pain of the incision gone, I seem to be more aware of the device itself. That is weird and sometimes a bit uncomfortable.

Thanks again for all the support and advice.

Willie J

Pulling leads...

by golden_snitch - 2013-11-23 03:11:59

Hi!

Agree with everything that has been said. One more encouraging fact that my cardios and EPs told me: Most dislodged leads are not pulled out by the patient, but are simply not correctly placed inside the heart and therefore come lose again. My doctors are more afraid of a patient developing a frozen shoulder, because the arm on the implant side isn't moved enough, than of the patient pulling a lead.

So, as Angrysparrow said, move your arm, but be gentle with it. The past four pacemaker surgeries or so I have also done physiotherapy afterwards which helped a lot. And for the next surgery I will definitely get the arm/shoulder/neck area taped with Kinesio tape (the colorful tape many athletes use) to help with the muscle tensions.

Feel better soon!

Inga

Hi

by Jax - 2013-11-23 12:11:12

Welcome aboard...Marie gave you good advice. I was so afraid to move my arm that I went into pt for a short time. You have to use yr arm ...just follow the instructions about raising yr arm and no heavy lifting.

Weird & uncomfortable

by Marie12 - 2013-11-24 02:11:27

I've had frozen shoulder (before ICD implant) and it is not something anyone should experience. I'm sure they can recommend some light physio at the clinic.

It took me four months for the weird and uncomfortable feeling to go away so give it time. There are still times I will do something or sleep in some way that makes the ICD uncomfortable for a day or so. I still find it odd to touch the area but I am not conscious of it every minute like I use to be. Take care and visit often.

You know you're wired when...

Born to be Wired is your theme song.

Member Quotes

I am just thankful that I am alive and that even though I have this pacemaker it is not the end of the world.