CrossFitter Itching to WOD Again

What would have been my 1-year anniversary with CrossFit ended up being a week long hospital stay. I collapsed at my toddler's birthday party and was airlifted to Atlanta. I had five episodes of bradycardia including two where my heart stopped completely that day. According to my doctors, I am in peak physical fitness for a 36-year-old. The cause is still unknown, but I now have a PM.

I spent 14 years In law enforcement with 6 of those years as a SWAT operator. I have been very worried that my life would drastically change. I'm a climbing instructor, kayaker, and CrossFitter.

My cardiology team assures me that I will be able to return to all my activities. Thankfully, I found this site and members like TracyE and ChristieD to reach out to for their experience.

I am now 3 weeks into having a PM with 5 weeks to go to return to CrossFit. I started walking on the treadmill this week because that is all my doctor wants me to do for now.

7 Comments

take your time

by Ferniegirl - 2014-02-07 05:02:32

I was feeling really good post op and was itching to get back to crossfit. I did trail walks and hiking for the first while. I waited 8 weeks til I went back to classes, but took it pretty easy just until I tried all the movements. Weighted squats off the rack were good but didn't clean any kind of weight for another month, not because I didn't feel good but because I was told not to so the leads could heal. Kettlebell swings were a problem at the top of the swing for me because of the narrow grip and rope climbs I noticed the same problem. My pm gets bumped up against my clavicle.
I blew up on my first rowing interval workout which was fairly soon after starting back up. My settings were set so my upper limit was only 130. I've since had it adjusted to 170 which has helped alot, but I still feel short of breath and a bit dizzy when I do met cons. I know its supposed to be hard but I never felt this way before my surgery. I just think I still have some adjustments that need to be made still. It feels like forever but I'm only 4 months post op. Its frustrating sometimes but trying to stay positive. My strength didn't take that long at all to come back, Im already lifting heavier! Im 38 and was in the best shape I'd ever been when we discovered I had SSS and AV disease in Sept/2013. Im interested to keep in touch and hear how your journey is going back into fitness. Wish you a speedy recovery and all the best!

Hi

by Moner - 2014-02-07 06:02:04

Hi Stark,

I'm glad Tracey weighed in here, she's very encouraging.

Like Tracey said, the first month or 2 you may feel a little achy around the site, but very tolerable.

I started to my jogging after about 4 days from surgery.

I could feel the pacemaker bounce around, but I knew that was to be expected.

Your background is impressive.

May you continue to heal quickly

Moner
>^..^<

getting there!

by Tracey_E - 2014-02-07 10:02:19

It feels like forever when you're in the middle of healing but you'll be back to it before you know it!

He won't let you do some squats and core now with the treadmill? I was told as long as I didn't move the arm too much or lift anything heavy, do what I felt up to. Running and anything impact made it achy for the first month or so, but low impact was ok.

Thanks y'all!

by Stark - 2014-02-08 07:02:11

Tracey: I was told to only walk on the treadmill with a 0% incline, but I have snuck in some air squats and unweighted pistols.

FernieGirl: Mine only activates if I drop below 40. The rest of the time it is just there waiting for when I need it.I've been curious about the narrow grip movements, rope climbs, and cleans. Now handstands too. I could kill those before this.

Moner: I wanted to at least jog, but was adamantly told to just wait.

Thank you to each of you.

Pistol Squats

by Stark - 2014-02-09 05:02:11

Well, holding a kettlebell on the side.

pistols

by Tracey_E - 2014-02-09 09:02:42

You usually do pistols WEIGHTED?!?! Holy cow, you rock. I can barely do them holding on to something so I don't fall over. (translation for the rest, pistol squats are one-legged squats)

Is your dr athletic? Mine is a runner, his NP works out at the same gym I do, and my pm rep is active. I think that makes a big difference in how they think, they always look for a way to make it happen rather than tell me no. Couch potatoes just don't get it.

Narrow grip movements, depends where they put your pm. Mine is lower and under the muscle and breast tissue, so none of that bothers it. Ring rows stir up my scar tissue. It's not going to hurt anything but I end up holding back the next day so better to do something else instead.

Fernie, they can tell when they check it if you are still bumping your upper limit. Most of them go to 180 so you still have a little bit more they might be able to raise it, assuming that's what's causing the dizziness. There are some other things they can check, sometimes getting on a treadmill in the office while on the pm computer can be a faster way to pinpoint the problem. It also helps to write down the day/time it happens so they can see what the pm was doing at the time.

handstands

by Ferniegirl - 2014-02-10 01:02:50

Handstand push ups and wall balls are all good because your arms stay approx shoulder width apart. So no worries there. I think you're going to slip back into your routine in no time Stark.
Thanks TraceyE, I find that running I feel really good, I find my problems are more when my movements vary alot... ie, lifting then squats then handstands...I think my pm isn't adjusting fast enough. I understand what you mean about having an active EP, mine looked at me funny and asked why I exercise so much. I don't really, just like to do something each day to clear the cobwebs but she doesnt get it. My pm tech looked like he has never been to a gym in his life. They have been good to me though, and are trying to help. I'll def write down dates and times for them to reference, that's a great tip. Thanks!

You know you're wired when...

You know the difference between hardware and software.

Member Quotes

I am 100% pacemaker dependant and have been all my life. I try not to think about how a little metal box keeps me alive - it would drive me crazy. So I lead a very active life.