Impact exercise and CRT device surgery/ boxing kickboxing martial arts

I am new to this post and new to this lifestyle change. I was a very active US Marine and former professional champion in Muay Thai Kickboxing. I had fought all over the world and trained many UFC champions as a striking coach. This past year I have been suffering the effects of the anthrax the government injected me multiple times with before invading Iraq in 2003/2004. My suffering is in the form of cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure with an EF of 15%. I also have a left bundle branch blockage on heart electrocardiogram. They have me scheduled for a CRT-d device implant surgery next week.

I read posts about people needing multiple wires changed out, clots, devices popping out of the skin months later from exercise, even excessive thumping from the device being set too high; makes this all very scary. My hope is that one day I can return to working out like I used to. I do not expect nor desire to spar (over 100+ fights I have tasted plenty) or even go crazy on the focus pads (hand mitts). I really just want to be able to punch a heavy bag, kick a banana bag, jam on a speed ball, and move with a krazy ball. The joys of a fighter I guess.

Does anyone have any experience on impact exercises like this? Forms and kata can only do so much but impact gives you the mental and physical feedback that develops and maintains the warrior-isms of true fighters. 

What are your thoughts about the chances of returning to boxing/kickboxing without sparring? Should I ask my surgeon about placement under the peck muscle for better probable outcome? HELP!

5 Comments

High impact sports

by AgentX86 - 2019-02-14 18:37:56

Are out, as a rule. Any of the exercises should be OK but you do NOT want to be struck on your pacemaker or leads. Placing them sub-pectoral would help but not enough. If in doubt, ask your EP.

thoughts

by Tracey_E - 2019-02-14 18:45:46

First of all, most of what you read here is the rare complications, not the norm. For every person coming here for answers, there are hundreds, if not thousands, out there getting on with their lives without complications. 

Devices don't just pop out of the skin. Every once in a while you hear of someone with thinned skin and/opr infection so they have to have it moved. 

Leads last on average 15 years. Some don't make it that long. Others can last double that. I had one lead go bad and need replaced at 15 years, my other original lead is doing great at 25 years. 

Thumping and needing settings adjusted, that's a little more common. When we are active, we are harder to program and no two of us are alike so it's not uncommon to take a few tries to get it right. Most of us do not feel the pacing, it's seamless and we can't feel when it kicks in. 

Ask about placing it under the muscle, I prefer it because it's out of my way. Your device is going to be larger than my 2 lead pacer. Ask to see one and discuss with the surgeon where to put it.

Once you heal and are cleared for exercise, you should be able to train without sparring. Direct hits are what you want to avoid. The boxes are titanium, you won't hurt it, but we aren't so tough.

Stamina to train is going to depend on how your heart responds to the pacing, if your EF comes up. 

Your champion attitude will get you through it

by Gotrhythm - 2019-02-14 19:54:41

Pacemakers don't limit people. Attitudes limit people. You didn't become a kick boxing champion by focusing on everything that could go wrong. You did it by focusing on your goals, and working hard on your training. When you ran into difficulties, you didn't quit. You worked harder.

Could bad stuff happen? Sure. But be aware that most people getting a pacemaker are older than you, many are diabetic or have other disorders related to aging. They aren't in as good health over all as you most likey are. There's no reason to think your incision won't heal quickly and cleanly. No reason to think your wires won't last as long as wires do.

Your hardship, if you have any at all, is likely to be that the medical people treating you have little experience with someone so healthy and active. It might take several adjustments before your pacemaker is giving you what you want from it--because the people doing the adjustments haven't seen someone like you.

Do be aware that very few people who had no trouble at all with their pacemaker join the pacemaker club. Those people are out golfing and rarely think about their pacemaker at all. What you read here is less than one percent of one percent.

You already know what a winning attitude is and you admit you like a good fight. Start thinking about how you are going to win this one and amaze people at what you are able to do!

Appreciate your responses

by Smokin' Joe - 2019-02-14 21:40:14

and feedback. Thank you as what you all have said makes sense and reaffirms what I know deep inside. This new battle is scary because it is internal not external although the minds attitude is the determing factor it is nice to ha e your support

hey smokin Joe

by eggman - 2019-02-16 14:21:41

doing chinese boxing(wing chun) for a number of years I was exposed to multable hits in chest and mid section. my leads only lasted 4 years after my 1st device and was reinstalled with new leads upper and lower. I really didn't notice any effect only when I went in for a PM check the tech. said I had a listening between the leads which causes mix signals and so the Elctrophysistogist mention not to be hit and change to a milder form of art. I told him the masters was in their 90's and still doing their forms and his answer was they don't have a PM LOL. Okay so now I'm practicing Tai Chi Quan its a lot of fun and under Sifu David Kil Woon Kim I'm learning alot more on inner strength as well as mental. So far my new leads are doing well and now exposed to less exposer to being smacked. one other thing is to do alot of bench pressing helps out from the combo in the chest. Good luck Joe

You know you're wired when...

Your device makes you win at the slot machines.

Member Quotes

I live an extremely normal life now and my device does NOT hinder me in any way.