Playing Pool

Hello all! I am 36 years old and I just got my PM on Dec. 2nd, 2016. I have done pretty well, recovering and thought I'd go out last night. My question is, I played a few games of pool (billiards). While it didn't occur to me at the time, I got to thinking....I was holding the pool cue in my left hand and leaning down to line up the shot. Essentially, that's like raising my arm above my head multiple times, right? I have now freaked myself out and I can't sleep. How will I know if I messed up the leads? Also, I went to the restroom and closed the door with my left arm by reaching above to shut it. I immediately caught myself. I am worried I messed it up. Anyone with insight,  please help. I am supposed to go back to work on Monday. I did have a slight increase in pain today, but nothing terrible.

Thank you inadvance, 

Celina268

3 Comments

Arm positioning after PM insertion.

by Selwyn - 2016-12-18 08:12:31

As I remember there is very little medical evidence to show that arm positioning after PM insertion has any effect on pulling out the leads. This means that hospitals give out variable advice as to what should be the time before you can fully extend your arm. I think for my hospital it was 2 weeks, though as I say there is little medical evidence to support this advice.

Johns Hopkins Hospital for instance says: 'You may be instructed to limit movement of the arm on the side that the pacemaker was placed, based on your doctor's preferences.'

You may wish to look up : http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2626349/

Selwyn

Stop Worrying

by Artist - 2016-12-18 10:53:31

The instructions to not raise your arm above your shoulder for 30 days errs on the side of caution.  Members have reported waking up from sleeping and discovering that their arm is raised above their shoulder.  My mother had her first PM implanted at the age of 87.  The 2nd day after her implant I found her outside hanging clothes up on the clothes line well above her head.  I had to fasten a shoe lace loosely around her left wrist and pin the other end to her waist band as a gentle reminder.  She is now 103 years old, on her 3rd PM and the original leads still work.  Most of us have briefly forgotten this restriction with no ill effecfs.  Other than some possible soreness from stretching the surgical wound, it is extremely unlikely that any damage has been done to the leads.  Unless you start to feel worse you can relax.  Your leads and PM function will be tested at your first followup appointment when they interrogate your PM.  The stress you face by worrying excessively can have more of a detrimental effect than the extremely unlikely possibility that the leads have been displaced.  Hang in there. 

Wisconsin, eh...

by donr - 2016-12-20 23:49:48

Not too far from River City, Iowa. 

Play pool, eh?  Don't go to River City - they have a bandmaster there who will rant & rave about that nasty habit - after all, Pool starts with P, that rhymes with T & that starts TROUBLE!  Now, BILLIARDs, he will say, are OK.  After all, that game develops a steely eye, superb judgment and skill.  Any old bum can drop a ball into a pocket, but to carom your cue ball off others and hit three cushions all in the same shot makes for great skill, patience and gentlemanly conduct, promotes camaraderie among the gentler class.

Ah, yes, they have lotsa room in the city band - need tuba players desperately - only have one  to balance off those 76 trombone players.

Sorry, Meredith, the Devil made me do it - just couldn't resist!

Donr

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