Hello....I just had my first pacemaker inserted one week ago. It is killing me that I cannot blow dry my hair!! I was told to wait 2-3 weeks before lifting that left arm above my shoulder to hold a brush. Does that seem about right? The last thing i want to do is dislodge a lead.
Also, when is it ok to resume sexual activity? Is it ok after one week if i am really careful?
I understand that these are really trivial items when considering the big picture....but i am asking them because they are on my mind and i am embarrassed to ask my doctor.
Thanks!!

 

 

I had my pacemaker put in April 29 of this year. I babied my arm and didn't lift it until I went for my checkup 3 weeks later. Everything was fine then but somehow my pacemaker has moved and is right on the edge of my underarm. I am going into surgery in about 5 hrs to get it moved and tacked back into place.
My advise is take it easy and don't push too soon to get things done. Hopefully things will work out for you. Other then mine moving it has doing fine.
Lois

 

I believe I was told about a month not to lift that arm. It killed me not to be able to do that because sometimes I sleep with both arms above my head. It was hard. But take it easy as much as you can and slowly get back to your regular schedule.

Becky

 

My paperwork said not to raise the arm above my head for 6-8 weeks. Living in fear that I would dislodge a lead kept me from doing anything that would jeopardize success in the lead "bonding" in my body. My hair was a particular concern as a few years ago I had a small tumor removed embedded in the bone and had to wear a cast on my hand and arm to elbow. My hair was a total disaster. This time, I opted for a shorter cut (bob type) and found that if I sat with the hairdryer in my hand and bent my head over, I could dry my hair without raising my arm at all. I used a rounded brush and was very proud of the finished "do." I'm right handed so I used the brush with the right hand and held the dryer in the right hand. It worked perfectly.

 

I tottally struggled with keeping my arm down while I was sleeping. Needless to say, there was many morning I awoke with my arm over my head...now that I think of it, I hope everything is ok. (((shaking head)))

 

My husband had his implant and was told not to raise his arm above his head for 6 - 8 weeks. He kept forgetting and once his alarm went off. They said he had moved one of his leads but not enough to do any damage. After that I bought him an arm sling so that he would not forget any more. I have a friend who's Mom lifted her arm and pulled out the lead, she had to go back into surgery and do the whole thing over again. That was really bad as she was in ther 80's. Not sure about the sex...I made my husband wait about a month...just to be on the safe side. He wasn't too happy but oh well...I am a worrier so I didn't want to do any damage. He seems fine now :) Good luck.

 

I just used my other arm to dry my hair, no problem.
Liz

 

I was told not to lift the left arm (side of device) for SIX weeks. I wasn't rigid with this the first time around. After about two months, the leads came out. I had to have the PM replaced with new leads and that time, I waited the full six weeks. I was constantly vigilant about lifting the arm and carrying too much.

I went to my hair salon about every five days for a wash and blow dry. They were very nice about it and only charged me half price. People are wonderful!

 

No one told me not to put my arm over my head. I was in hospital for almost 2 wks after implant due to bad things happening but when I was released I did every thing I'd done before, hair, dressing, everything. I guess I was pretty lucky. I read all about the warnings and the leads pulling loose from people here and I think I may have dodged a big one. Of course, when I asked when I could drive again they said, "how do you feel?" I said fine and they said okay drive if you want to. I did pay attention to not lifting anything heavy with that arm. How does that saying go? It's better to be lucky than...................

 

Having lived a very simple, non-material way of life, by my own choice, I had no problem with my hair during the few weeks I was told not to wash my hair myself. Here on the ranch, male/female, your hair gets plenty dirty and unbearable.

When I had my ablation/PM implant 10/09, I treated myself to a few wonderful appointments at a local hair salon several times a week. I had my hair washed, dryed and 'styled' and all with good excuses. It was a lil' taste of Heaven for me.

God Bless,
Carolyn G. in TEXAS ~ Please Do Rain Dances for Texas ~