Use of arm on operative side

Hi to All,

This is my first post although I have been scouring this site for ages both before and after my PM implant 4 weeks ago.

One question that I am a bit confused about is there seems to be a length of time difference for not lifting your arm above your head after fitment between what U.S. recipients are told and what I was told over here in Australia.

Over here the time for not lifting your arm on the operative side is 4 weeks. In the U.S. it seems to be 6-8 weeks. Does anyone know what the correct time span is after fitment and is it unusual to get some pain over the sternum where the leads enter the vein/artery 4 weeks after fitment?

Is 4 weeks enough to not cause future possible problems or is the longer time the recommended time?

Thanks

Ray

6 Comments

Non use of arm is making me worse!

by aussieray - 2014-07-06 02:07:03

Thanks for the response NiceNiecey.

Seems to be 4 weeks is the minimum and ??? is the maximum.

In between posting, I visited my local doctor and asked about the pain I am getting in the sternum area just to my right of the PM site. The diagnosis from him was 'costochondritis' or arthritis of the rib cage. As it is now winter over here, the cold is bringing out the arthritis in all areas, but this one as he said is probably being helped along by lack of normal movement on that pacemaker side.

Take painkillers and rub arthritis creams in the ribs was his only suggestion. He also advised, just to let the muscles and nerves heal a bit longer to make it 6 weeks before going back to normal arm movements and then take it slow. Thanks again for your response.

Four weeks

by Marie12 - 2014-07-06 07:07:35

I was told four weeks (Canada) but was also given simple physiotherapy exercises to do three times a day in order to prevent frozen shoulder.

Yes, many inconsistancies

by KAG - 2014-07-06 11:07:15

As you pointed out there are many differences in when the Dr's recommend raising your arm above the shoulder and lifting more weight. Even in the US the times vary from 4 to 6 weeks, though most are 6 weeks. At my first visit my Dr actually said it was OK to GENTLY start raising my arm at 2 weeks, but then quickly went back to the 6 week limit.

Remember that we do have a lot more lawyers in the US than anywhere else in the world. :-)

Since we all heal differently I don't think there is an absolute time, but at 4 weeks your wires should be pretty well set in. If they installed them correctly there is a bit of slack in the wires to allow us to move around.

As you've probably seen there is concern over not moving your arm around (gently) to prevent shoulder /arm problems.

If your Dr said 4 weeks I'd follow that and just be gently raising your arm. I've found that "walking the wall" with your hand in a nice warm shower works great. Keeps things loose. Then listen to your body and if it feels OK then it is OK.

Kathy

Let Me Try to Answer One of Your Questions

by NiceNiecey - 2014-07-06 12:07:05

First, Welcome to the Club, Ray. You were smart to familiarize yourself with the site before and since your PM.

As for arm lifting in the US, I was originally told by the cardiologist the day I was released from the hospital not to raise my arm above shoulder for 2 weeks.

Subsequently, however, my personal cardiologist (the one that implanted the PM) said he'd prefer I waited 4 weeks.

I developed a blood clot on that side a couple weeks after I got the PM but I can't remember if that was before or after my doctor said to wait 4 weeks.

Ultimately, I moved my arm like crazy as much as possible. Unfortunately, I still developed tendonitis and shoulder problems. It can be quite painful but I haven't gone to physical therapy yet. Three docs (primary, cardiologist, and rheumatologist) have offered to write me a script but I just need to look up exercises online. I may also get a cortisone shot to relieve the pain.

And BTW, it is NOT uncommon for those issues to develop in anyone that has had surgery or an injury. Mastectomies, broken arm, PM implantation, etc all carry the unfortunate risk of "arm problems."

3 months

by Sue66 - 2014-07-08 03:07:11

I only got my pacemaker 2 weeks ago, and I was told not to lift my arm above my shoulder for 3 months. I have been real good about it. I am washing my hair with one hand etc., but 2 or 3 times I forgot and I lifted my left arm to reach for something.
I go for my 2 week check-up tomorrow to see how things are going.

Recovery

by LeeT - 2014-07-12 02:07:34

DO AS YOUR DR SUGGESTS. THEY HAVE MORE EXPERIENCE THAN ANY OF US. ALTHOUGH WE CAN BE VERY HELPFUL AS WELL.

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker receives radio frequencies.

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