general info

hi ive just had my pm fitted at the age of 24.2/10/07. i just wanted to know is it safe for me drink to drink alcohol so soon after the op.and how long before i can play sports again

3 Comments

Sports

by ela-girl - 2007-10-04 01:10:14

Hi, Tricky147!

As for the sports, you can always call and ask your doctor if you are unsure. As pm recipients, we are told to avoid contact sports where the pacer can take a hit, but I know they make vests to wear that protect the site/chest. Most of us can resume our favorite activities once we are a 2-3 months out from recovery (depending on the activity and/or your personal situation). I'm a backpacker, and my doctor didn't clear me to carry the weight until 7 months post-op. What sports are you into?

Have fun and be safe!
ela-girl

Time For A Toddy

by Bob Sr - 2007-10-04 01:10:23

It was OK for me after one day. I didn't get knee walking drunk but I had a toddy or two the day after I got home and every day thereafter. On the advice of my cardiologist some 20 years ago, I drink a couple ounces of bourbon at the end of each day. Just be careful if they have added any blood pressure medicine to your list. As I'm sure you know alcohol does lower the BP for a little while.

General info

by Vai - 2007-10-04 03:10:24

1. Sports post-op for PM. Generally wait at least 6-8 weeks for the leads to be secured by muscle tissue. The last thing you want is for some arm movements that "pulls" out the leads embedded in the heart tissue. Suggest you read the many other responses in this site for advice on arm movements during the recuperation period. You can pretty much resume most sports activities after 3 months although contact sports should be avoided unless you're well protected with appropriate sports gear such as a vest.
2. Alcohol does not interfere with the PM function per se. However alcohol may change your heart rate and this may trigger the PM to respond to it. Of course, alcohol does interact with a lot of medication. It is better to check out the potential interactions and its effects on the body.


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