Pacemaker Pocket and Muscle

Exercise and pacemaker pocket

by Theknotguy - 2018-08-23 19:03:49

Went back to work at the wood shop.  Started throwing wood around and then started having problems with the pacemaker pocket.  

First problem was soreness.  We were lifting planks at 40 pounds a pop and the pacemaker was getting pinched between my shoulder and the ribcage.  After a while the pocket would get really sore and I'd have to stop moving wood.  Second was general soreness.  I was a lot more active because I was standing instead of sitting and moving a lot more than when I was sitting.  So I'd be sore in places I wouldn't even think I'd be sore.  

Consequently I'd be OK during the time I was working but for the next four day I'd be popping Tylenol and using hot/cold packs.  As I remember this went on for about six months.  I had a session of severe itching too.  The pacemaker pocket would just start to itch.   I had to be careful how I'd scratch the area.  

Finally (as I remember) after about six months everything settled down and I could lift as much as I wanted and work as much as I wanted. 

I had had a lot of trauma due to CPR after I collapsed on the trail.  Broken ribs and all.  So my total recovery went on for two years - broken ribs heal slowly.  Consequently there was a lot of healing that needed to happen before everything quit hurting.  I don't know if you'll need as much healing outside of the pacemaker pocket so you may not experience as much pain as I did.  Mostly you'll just have to give the tissue in the area time to heal.  Once that happens you can go back to doing exercise pretty much as what you did before you had your pacemaker.  

I hope everything else is going well for you.  

not a suprise

by Tracey_E - 2018-08-23 20:34:54

As we get active again, especially if we are working the muscles around the pocket, it will shift and get sore. Ice is your friend. It should settle in again. I've had a period of adjustment several times when I started new things that aggravated the pocket. 

Thank you all - it does make sense

by MartyP - 2018-08-23 21:49:51

And I won't worry about this !!

Same here

by AgentX86 - 2018-08-23 21:51:31

I just had my six-month anneversary with my sparky and have noticed a similar thing.  The left side of my chest is rather sensitive, particularly in the evening. It's particularly sensitive left of the scar.  Hopefully it'll settle down soon.  It's not comfortable.

Exercising weight lifting

by leepacer - 2018-08-24 01:34:24

160 lbs depends how big you are your weight etc. However, at your age sounds good. I'm 76 weight lefting thirty years. I lift for shape, like the muscles but shape and cardio are essential for me. Love going to the gym riding my bike feel like a kid with the wind blowing in my face. Want to go fast all the time love the speed but because of my age I'm careful. My works out now are repeatitions (since getting my PM) before it was heavy weight lifting. These works outs work just fine. Heavy lifting can cause node separation my heart was beating at 32 pm now ok. I feel good after work outs wondering how daily work outs wouild do. I'm every other day. The work outs are very vigorous but not over the top. If your muscles get larger then they were when you got the PM it could effect the node connection and require surgery again.  Always connect with your Dr. first and forermost until you get it right.