I just had my pacer implanted 2 weeks. I'm an athletic late 40's . How long before I can raise my arm above my shoulder? How long before I can use my left arm for normal activities or resume vigorous exercise? If had conflicting advice from the EP lab!

 

My husband & I cut (he ran the chainsaw!) a bunch of tree branches yesterday to start getting rid of some dying trees. Then I pulled weeds and dug up and moved flowers around. I worked pretty hard all day & felt great doing it. However, today I'm exhausted and can hardly put one foot in front of the other. I'm seven weeks out from having my implant and feel pretty good. Maybe too good. Apparently I'm going to have to pace myself better. Do any of you feel like you hit a wall after doing alot of physical labor?

 

Hi all,
for a good few years now I've been into judo as my main sport and stress relief. I've recently had a pacemaker fitted (last week) and after speaking to my sensei (instructor) it's been suggested I wear some kind of protection when I'm training. I've looked at the sporting wear web sites and e-mailed a few of them asking if they do anything that might offer some kind of protection - none really came up with anything of any use. If anyone has anything that would fit the bill or can point me in the right direction I'd be immensely grateful.
Thanks all.

 

Some days I feel I can climb Mt Everest. Other days I can barely climb the stairs. After four years of a fib which never went to normal on its own, I had a pace maker implanted in July. The main reason for it was to improve my life style so I could dance and be active. I am 67 and active, but I still get winded at times. Other times I can exercise and feel terrific. Is this normal? Can I expect any improvement? Have others experienced this?

 

Hello everyone. I recently Decided to make some life changing decisions. I have started to exercise and loose weight. I would like to get back down to 150 or 160. I recently began to have muscle spasms around my pacemaker. I was wondering if anyone else had experienced this issue while exercising. The other day I had one so bad I though I was having a heart attack. It was terrible. Any advice would be helpful.


Britt<3

 

Hi all,

First off, I'm thrilled to find out about the PM Club, which I just joined today; it seems like a very supportive and friendly group of folks.

I'm 43 and had my first PM implanted ~ 6 weeks ago. Prior to that, I was an avid (and sometimes competitive) cyclist and runner. I resumed running ~ 4 weeks ago (with my doctor's blessing) and it is going pretty well. I started off easy at first and have worked up to where I now include one speed/interval workout a week, in preparation for some races in a few weeks. During these sometimes intense intervals, my HR gets as high as 175. Based on my pre-PM training, this is a pretty normal HR for me during such intervals.

So far, I've tolerated this type of tra...

 

How long does it take to get back the energy to do workouts like you did before the PM surgery? Was doing 4 to 5 hours a day now 45 min seems to wear me out.

 

Well, we are about to have our end of summer outing at work. Unfortunately it's at a waterpark, so, I will not be participating in the "water" activities, but I will probably go just to hang out.

They do have volleyball, but I just suddenly realized that is the possibility of getting hit by the ball on my ICD and being in pain for hrs worth playing the game. I guess I will have to decide or go make myself a makeshift chest guard real quick......

 

Hello,
I am new to the club and glad to find you all. I am being told that I need a biventricular pacemaker by my EP. My GP is concerned and wants me to take it slow. I've been reading up on my condition, the types of treatments and the meds available. I've read up on ablation, pacemakers, etc., but other than vague reports of "patients reported they felt XX% better" I've not seen direct answers to my main question about energy level.

I have LBBB and a-fib. We didn't know I had this until I almost drowned while snorkeling, back in April...yes just 4 months ago. I had been having some weird palpatations with my heart prior to that but thought they were anxiety related. I'm only 59 and in far better shape, eat better,...

 

I have been having problems running slowly and yet being out of breath. I've discovered that my pacemaker cuts in half the heart rate when it exceeds 150 bpm. Do other people experience this? What do you do? Thanks in advance


mitiger

 

What have you been told about swimming & a single lead wire? My EP said that I could swim, and my cardiologist said the same. However, he did say I should be aware of the fact that swimming can cause wear and tear on the lead wire. Does anyone have any knowledge of this? I do swim a half hour straight about five days a week. Because I am 80, I don't "sprint", but do so enjoy the swim. Would like to know your thoughts and your doctor's advice. aldeer

 

Hi,
As I understand it, there is a woman US olympic swimmer who has had ablation and now has a pacemaker. Does anyone know her name? She apparently has done quite well.
Thanks for your help.

Richan

 

I like to do resistive training and weights, and need to to be able to return to work!. Big issue for me is building up my neck, shoulders and back (I also had Open Heart and lost 45 lbs).

Pacemaker,Defib 6/6/08 - all they said was no lifting left arm over shoulders for 6 weeks. I started machine training 2 weeks ago and NOW they tell me not to do Lat pulldowns or anything where I have to have my arms (left) over my shoulders because it can mess up the "pocket" or the wires??. BIG impact on my training. Suggestions or Experiences?

I do not do heavy weights, more into the circuit training aspects with low (20-35 lbs) when using Lat Pulldowns and other machines - several required arms over the shoulders.

An...

 

I am 2 wks post op. Tired still. Stitches out yesterday. Is it too soon to attend a dance, family thing. I know not jiving. Just wonder if it is all too soon and should spend most of time resting for the 4 wks.?????I do a walk each day and regular hhouse stuff.

 

I didn't start diving until I was 50 years old (54 now). I found I really enjoy it. Has anyone gone back to diving after implant? I have an ICD/pacemaker (3 wires). My doc says I should be able to resume diving but I'd like to hear from those that have done it. I'm not too keen on an incident 80 feet under! Anybody?

 

Do wrist monitors have magnets. Are they ok for us. Most must have pulse rate also??

 

Anyone have problems using a Wii Fit? I'm fine with the Wii games but we got a balance board this week and I've been getting dizzy playing some of the games. It might just be me! I've been maxing out at the gym occasionally also which makes me dizzy, though it doesn't feel like my rate is too high when it happens.

 

I am right handed and have icd implanted in left shoulder. I play golf left handed. No plms so far, appreciate any comments

 

Hi Did write before but cannot find it. I had dual pacemaker one wk ago tomorrow. Feel fine. Using arms too much I think. How easy is it too dislodge leads? Worried about that? I am walking every day, is that ok. Set at 80 but not a higher no. Have not fainted for one wk either so that is good. Was 19 beats per min. when fainting. 12 times in July. Incision 5 in long. seems long to me. Any advice about use of arms. Trying to not lift them but hard kitchen cupboards etc. Feel like I can do anything now just a bit sore in chest and sleeping on back is very hard. Not sure when I can go on side either? Thanks for this site.

 

Had PM installed on July 22nd 2008. Needed due to low pulse rate from time to time and pulse pausing and passing out. Had first check up a week after installation and all was good. I have been walking almost every night about 2 miles and no problems. Looking foward to start running again. Normal runs are 3 to 4 milses 4 times a week. Anyone out there who can tell me when I can start running again? What issues if any can I expect? Should I limit my miles at the beginning? Thanks for the help. Rick Warren