Returning to Running

Ok, this question is directed towards the ladies on this forum site who participate in sports who have a pacemaker.
My pacemaker went in a couple of weeks ago and all is healing well. I want to return to running and after following my Cardiologists instructions waited 2 weeks. I went for my first run today which did not go well. As money is tight what do the ladies on this forum recommend sports bra or crop tops or am I stariting too early post op with my exercise regime?
Thanks for suggestions
J00ney

7 Comments

take it easy!

by cb - 2014-02-10 10:02:15

I can relate, as I was in a kind of denial that I had a thoroughly
surprising event....CHB out of nowhere....and wanted to get right back to "normal" after getting a PM. Why? Wait for your body to heal and CARE about healing. It has been 11 months for me and I am still not "normal" as far as pre PM context. And I am getting my head around the idea that I never will be.
Walk. See how the settings are working for you (I had 2 adjustments post insertion) ...pay attention to how you feel.
Eventually the old sports bra will work again ..but not for a few months...until then use those that are not major mashers. ...and take it easy! best wishes!

running

by Tracey_E - 2014-02-10 10:02:52

It was more like 4-6 weeks before I could take the impact of running without getting sore. I walked with hand weights, did recumbent bike, elliptical with no arms until I could take the bouncing.

I love Kohls for sports bras. Watch for clearance. Last time I ordered online between coupons and clearance, I got 7 of them and some pants all for under $50

An alternative.

by Rivithead - 2014-02-11 01:02:32

Try long distance swimming.

Running post pacemaker

by J00ney - 2014-02-11 06:02:52

Thanks TraceyE, cb and Rivithead for advice.

Rivithead, unfortunately I cannot claim to be a good swimmer, so will have to stick to walking.

Yes the 'bounce' has bruised what was already bruised and today the shoulder is stiff and uncomfortable.

Will wait for a couple more weeks before running again... Such a shame. My aim is to run in the Reykjavik Marathon 2015, so hopefully will still get there.
Cheers
j00ney

I agree

by ohiolaura - 2014-02-11 07:02:36

Take it slower maybe.The bra's most definatly yes,I was wearing sports bras for s couple of weeks,just because the area was sore,and they were more forgiving.
I waited maybe 2 weeks before I started back just walking,and I was tired,not sore,but not where I was before PM surgery,my first.
I started slow,which I hated,but had to,and was watched like a hawk by my family,so I took it slow.I was also apprehensive about the walking,not sure what I would feel.
I wasn't where I was for awhile,but that's just me.
I turned the corner at 6 weeks,and at that point the EP said do whatever I wanted,so I started slowly and was good there.
I listened to my body,and went back slowly,Im almost 2 yrs since surgery,and am at 5 days a week of workouts,and feeling great!
Youll get there,be patient and take it slow,dont be hard on yourself,youll be back soon!
Laura

4 Weeks

by valley01 - 2014-02-11 08:02:01

I walked for 3 weeks and then did a week of walking/running intervals and then ran a 5k (slowly but I ran the whole thing) at 4 weeks post-op. At first even walking I could feel the device bouncing under my skin and it was uncomfortable (plus I was feeling weak, lightheaded, and scared) but that was only a few days post-op. As I was healing I got conditioned to not feeling it so much. The sports bras wear barely clip the edge of the incision. I think they are Danskin and Champion. I tried making gauze padding with sweatproof tape to cover the incision because even my t-shirt was irritating it while running but I couldn't get anything to stick.

ice

by Tracey_E - 2014-02-11 10:02:11

Ice will help the soreness.

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