Dear all,

I am a 27 year old Police Officer in the UK and had my pacemaker fitted April 9th this year for a second degree heart block. I had been off work for a few weeks before the op due to the symptoms, but now the op has been completed my bosses are hassling me to come back to work.
Whilst i know i cannot go back out on the streets for a number of weeks, they want me to sit in the office and work from there.

How long should i leave it before returning to work?? I know this question will probably sound stupid but i don't want to annoy the bosses!

Thanks for reading

Jon

 

 

I went back to work at 5 weeks nursing, I had some holidays booked anyway or I probably could have gone earlier. You arent supposed to put your implant arm above the shoulder for 6 weeks so you wouldnt want to be on the street before then but people seem fine to sit at a desk. Personally I found the emotional side of healing harder than the physical and work was good because it helps you to forget about it. I had to learn not to talk about it too much or the good effect of forgetting got wreaked. Also I put my ID in the pocket over the PM which the clinic said not to do. Do you have those shoulder phone things like on the Bill, you might have to wear that on your other shoulder. good luck

 

I had my pacemaker on the 28th March, and am going back to work on the 26th of April (I'm a university lecturer). I was due to go back the week before, but had some complications.

I'm not looking forward to going back, but more because of the emotional stress than anything. So I think how you are feeling mentally is the key thing.

I'm also in the UK, and my GP was happy to sign me off for a month, and I'm sure would sign me off for longer if I go back and it doesn't go well. My employers have been very sympathetic. If you don't feel ready to go back, don't feel pressured. There is no set time limit for recovery, and you should do what feels right to you.

Best Wishes,
Genie

 

You have to watch the arm on the side of your device (no lifting, no raising higher than shoulder level) for approx 6 weeks. Every doctor is a bit different in their restrictions, but most of them want the arm babied for at least 6 weeks. If your doctor has cleared you to return to desk work and if you feel up to it, as long as you mind the restrictions you should be able to go back any time now. I returned after a week but most people wait longer than that.

 

hey there,

well, the only pacer surgery that made me take six weeks off was the epicardial lead placement with complications (pleurisy, pleura effusion, emphysema); for all the others i just needed two weeks, even when i had three pacer surgeries in about months (all with subpectoral placement). i mean, i know that everyone is different and heals differently but as soon as you feel ok, go back, even if that's just a week after the pacer. after all, it's not such a big surgery, doesn't include general anaesthesia etc.
but of course, how you feeling phsyically and mentally is different but from my experience work keeps your mind off of worrying or thinking about the pacer too much. i went back to studying fulltime at university three weeks after open-heart surgery, and it did me good. i didn't want to miss too many lectures, and i also missed my friends, and just sitting at home made me go crazy.

by the way, i'm 28.

best wishes
inga

 

I would think sitting at a desk would be fine & probably good for your spirit!
No lifting or raising the arm (side of the site) above your head, but sitting would be OK.
Welcome to the club!
Liz

 

I suppose, the doctor in England would release you for work? It would be up to her/him? In the US, that is the case.

I was not permitted to drive for 10 days after mine, not until the first checkup. The doctor released then. And I was not suppose to lift arm over shoulder for 5 weeks, no swimming for 5 weeks. No other restrictions.

 

Theoretically,desk work could be done the day after surgery. Realistically, it takes a bit longer. It depends on soreness, pain, adjustment to meds, and one's constitution. I think 2 weeks is reasonable, but so is a month.

 

i have the same blockage like you ,,beware cause after 2 years you may develop high blood pressure and heart weakness that happen to me ,,hope you dont get those diseases later on ,also to be hones you might want a job were you dont stress it out ,,

 

It really relys on your own rate if recovery, of course you should listen to your doctor but if you try something and it feels comfortable then you should be okay with taking as it feels alright. Your body will tell you when you can or can't do something. I'm a keen sportswoman and found it was relativley quick to get back to normal. Take it at your own pace ;)

 

I had an AV node ablation & PM put in, came home next day & drove a few miles to do some banking day after return home. Stayed home weekend & went to work in a clerical type sitting down, little walking job on Monday. Kept the arm down but wasn't told anything about work so I went in & almost fell on my face. I should have taken a week off but got thru it OK.

I have heard different stories over the years here on this site on how fast to return to normal activity. I would agree that if your doc says OK & you feel up to it go in & do the desk job. Maybe you can start part-time & work up to full time.

Good luck on your return to work. It can be done just get a lot of rest.

Janet

 

Hi Jon,

I would say when you're ready. As Janet said I would be trying for a phased return as it's more tiring than you realise, especially when you've been off a number of weeks.
Have you been in contact with occupational health? They can be very supportive.

Good luck

Vicki

 

Greetings everyone! I am in the US: Florida. I have a very stressful job as a fundraiser. I just had the PM implant and I was wondering if I should avoid the stress for the full four weeks of recovery? any advice out there???

 

Jon,

I had my device implanted and I was back to work 3 weeks later. I have a picture of me teaching a hostage recovery class one month after surgery. I was shooting and running a month after. I working in High Risk Security and train Special Operation Units. I was keeping up with them soon after the operation.

It is up to you, your level of fitness, your recovery will be up to you. Listen to your body. Push it without over doing it. Start slow and build. Soon you will be taken down the bad guys and cleaning the streets.
Good Luck Brother,
Steve

 

Know how you feel with the bosses. Had to have an ICD, only way doc would release me to full duty after triple bypass. Even though I let him believe that meant a desk job. I took like 5 days off and back to work. Only thing im worrying about is we just got new Mossberg 12 guages. I have no problems with the M4's but the slug gun recoils gonna be interesting. Stay safe.