thoughts n questions

im 37 got a double barrel icd on monday this is sunday so six days ago, was thinking its alright to start moving my arm but i see people talking about doing things 8 weeks later and having complications, i only have a few ideas, 1 is it ok for me to be using my arm already it doesnt hurt, 2 when is it ok to sleep on my side again...3 why is it everyonce in a while i feel my heart in my throat and it freaks me out a lil....4 should i still be hurting, i was sent home without a single pain pill. no meds other then heart meds.... and does anyone know how to get ahold of the st jude medical merlin@home they sent me a reciever that only hooks up to old phone lines, trying to figure out how i get the wifi or something going on................and if anyone wants to swap stories im here

4 Comments

+on others plus throat info...

by techiej - 2016-05-22 04:05:25

When my PM has to pulse my lower chamber or it is doing a self test - at home or at the Doc - it feels like it is beating in my throat but only lasts a few secs.

Some answers/ideas

by Lurch - 2016-05-22 12:05:27

Yes, you should start using your arm some. If you don't your shoulder will lock up. Raise it to shoulder level and go through some easy range of motion exercises.
As for sleeping on your side, everybody is a little different; some can within a few weeks, some never are really comfortable on their sides.
The feeling you are getting (I describe it as a tingle in my chest) is probably you being paced by the device. You should be scheduled for device interrogation soon (they check your device via wi-fi and make sure everything is working correctly). While they are doing it, ask them to pace you so you know what it feels like (it doesn't hurt, just a strange feeling until you understand what it is).
You can find St. Jude on line and send them an information request regarding their cellular service (I have Biotronik so not familiar with their equipment).
As for the pain, again everybody is a little different. You just had your chest cut open, a pocket created under your skin and a metal device shoved into it. You can expect to be a little sore for awhile. Try some ice, it helps, but not too long; maybe five minutes at a time.
Good luck and welcome to the world of the electronically enhanced.

answers

by Tracey_E - 2016-05-22 12:05:54

When people say 8 weeks, that's for lifting heavy and raising the arm overhead. Most docs say 4-6 weeks for that. And other than those two limits- overhead and lifting heavy- you can and should use the arm normally.

Sleep on your side whenever it feels ok.

My Merlin (received in March) just plugs into the wall. Call your doctor's office. They should be able to set it up for you.

I never took pain meds either. Some of us heal faster and more easily than others. Don't question it :)

ICD question

by Drake3287 - 2016-05-24 07:05:22

I had my ICD implanted almost 8 weeks ago and it's almost like it's not there now. No problems and I'm back to normal.

As for sleeping, I was told to keep my arm in a sling while sleeping for the first 6 weeks so that I don't raise my arm above my head by accident during the night.

After the first night or two I couldn't stand it being in a sling not to mention it caused severe pain in my shoulder from being in this position all night. My trick was to buy an Ace bandage and wrap it around my wrist (they call it a soft tie) and then around my upper leg along with about two feet of slack so my arm could move at night but not enough to raise accidentally above my head. It was a life saver for me and allowed me to sleep normally.

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