How long must I wait?

Hello I have a question.How long were you told to wait before lifting your arm ? I'd like to know from several people.Were you told to exersise the arm?I had my PM installed 10/27/08 and am returning to work Dec. 1st. I have a very physical job. I am a CNA at an assisted living facility and I will need to lift and transfer patients-some are very heavy. I am finding that the affected arm is getting weak. I dont think at this point I could lift that arm over my head.I am wondering when I can begin to try to build up the arm?
Any replys would be appreciated.

5 Comments

wait time

by lryegbert - 2008-11-13 06:11:06

you can't lift the arm over sholder height for 4-6 weeks you must not lift more than 5 lbs for that time. you can use that arm everyday you don't want to pull the leads loose.
take care and welcome to the club

Ditto

by walkerd - 2008-11-13 07:11:30

I was told six weeks. not to worry you wont lose all your strength and it builds up quickly. Dont push it because the only reason they dont want you to lift wieght or lift above your head is you could pull your leads out, then you have to do it all over again. It goes faster than you think mrs. h. I had mine in sept and before that had open heart surgery. like i said it goes faster than you want it to.
dave

Just be patient

by Angelie - 2008-11-13 09:11:14

I know it's hard. My arm restrictions was the WORST thing about my pacemaker implant recovery. I was a CNA for 10 years. I definitely wouldn't be lifting, and pushing on people. What does your docor say about lifting and pushing on people? My doctor gave me instructions not to push, pull, or lift anything over 5 pounds for at least a month. I know exactly what your job consists of. I don't think you should be lifting and pulling on people. Doing this puts you at risk for lead dislodgement. You need to ask your doctor about your work, and mind his intstructions. It will be much easier, and less expensive for you to build up your arm later with weights and exercise, than to go through lead placement all over again. Please ask your doctor about what he thinks you should and should not do.

Take care

by PeggyR - 2008-11-13 09:11:52

My doc also said 6 weeks on the arm restrictions. He even gave me a sling to wear, particularly at night when sleeping so that I wouldn't raise it without realizing it. And he said it doesn't hurt to wear it when you are "active" in daytime as a reminder - I find as I started feeling better it was easy to forget to not use that arm up high or to pick/carry something I didn't overuse the sling as didn't want the muscles to atrophy more than they would anyway. I'm going in for 1st check up after implant today (implant 9/5/08 -- their schedule had no openings in October, geez, and then we were on trip to Canadian Rockies until few days ago) and have kept a steno pad with me to note all questions, thoughts I might have. Many of my questions came from reading the postings on this site - glad it is here and that all the folks are here too.
"Always blessings, Never losses"
Peggy

Less restrictive...

by ADC - 2008-11-26 09:11:40

My doc is less restrictive saying the real limitations are for the first two weeks. Now from what I've read here, I'll be very careful for a month, but I am using somewhat normal movement as long as I'm not lifting or raising my arm high or reaching behind my back. My shoulder area feels a little stiff; I try to keep it mobile without wild movements. God knows I don't want to have to do the whole thing over again!
AC

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