One Month Tune up and Overhaul

Okay,

Going in for my one month tune up and overhaul and was wondering what to expect? Questions I have for my doc are:

Why does that damn thing still hurt (although much better than two weeks ago. Now a 1 or 2 v. a 8 or 9)?

What limitations do I have? (Can I go mountain biking, will a face plant after going over the handlebars be a problem? Basketball, contact sports?)

I have been suffering fatigue since the implantation and have had a couple of fuzzy moments. Does the pacemaker records indicate I have dropped below threshold that would explain these or am I just so damned out of shape after not doing much for a month that I have to get back in the swing of things?

What is the warranty on this little sucker? Does it include breakage?

If this sucker doesn't go off in a year or two can I get it taken out? I mean we could leave the leads (install two ports on my chest maybe) but the damn thing really is in the way of my backpack straps.

What things do I need to avoid (standing next to the radar dish on a nuke aircraft carrier and not sticking magnets to my pacer as a parlor trick)? Seriously, What is urban myth and what do I really need to stay away from?

What exercises are recommended and what exercises should I say away from? I want to get back in shape but don't want to put myself back on pain meds because the muscles around this thing are so damned sensitive.

Anything else people think I should cover?


5 Comments

No ICD just pacing to keep me from dropping below 50

by COBradyBunch - 2009-07-20 06:07:03

I don't have an ICD but my pacer just keeps me from dropping below 50 bpm so I don't do the deflating punching doll trick on my wife again and fall to the floor. I am set at 50 because my normal resting HR was in the low 60's high 50's.

Bummer on the 6 week thing, since I was expecting to be off the arm over head/lifting heavy weight thing after 4. Driving me crazy having to sleep in a sling because I naturally put my hands over my head when sleeping.

I guess I am really looking for people who look at my list and then say you know what, I also asked or even better, you know I wish I asked certain questions.

Thanks for your info and I will let you know what the doc comes back with. Oh and the whole metal detectors thing seems to be a big debate as well. I was told no big deal by the pacer tech (MRI's and Arc Welders being the big issues).

Thanks again.

good list

by Tracey_E - 2009-07-20 06:07:05

Your list sounds complete! You should also ask for a copy of the pre and post reports. A few of the guys here can decipher it for you. I can answer a few of your questions but ask your doc anyway.

It can take 2-3 months, sometimes longer, for the residual pain to go away. Most feel pretty good by 6 weeks.

It's going to take some time to get back into shape, but it could be that the settings need adjusted. If you can tell them date/times you had the fuzzy feelings, they may be able to pinpoint the problem faster.

Don't raise your left arm higher than your shoulder or lift weight with it until after six weeks. Take your time easing back into upper body weights. Some doctors limit upper body workouts but most of us do not have restrictions. Get your doctor's approval before getting back to aerobic exercise. Full contact sports are usually not a good idea. You aren't likely to break it, but it'll hurt if you take a direct hit.

I assume you have an ICD? If it doesn't go off but you are still pacing, they are going to want to leave it. You can ask about a revision, moving it to a place that doesn't interfere with backpack straps. Mine is lower and deeper, I don't have any problems with straps but the recovery was longer.

They really discourage the magnet parlor tricks LOL. Rule of thumb is 6" between magnets and your device so don't do things like put your ipod in your shirt pocket (I do anyway, never had problems but others have) or push ups on a Wii balance board. Most things do not cause problems anymore, newer pm's are shielded pretty well. Oh yeah, no MRI's and stay out of metal detectors at airports and courthouses.

MY take on the answers...

by turboz24 - 2009-07-20 09:07:37

"Why does that damn thing still hurt " MY doc said essentially it will always "hurt" to an extent, being that I workout 5 days a week and do a lot of physical work on weekends. Mine will be 2 years in 2 months.

I was told to keep my arm down for 2 weeks and just 2 weeks. I returned to normal activities after that point. iT seems to depend on the doc, your age, etc.

"You can ask about a revision, moving it to a place that doesn't interfere with backpack straps." I doubt most insurance will pay for revisement as long as it's medically necessary. I'm going to have to wait 4 or so more years before I can wear a backpack or go "shirtless".

ARM SIX WEEKS!!!!

by Hot Heart - 2009-07-21 06:07:08

Look, its hard for all of us, whatever age we are to have a device inside us and wires in our hearts. Dont think its less of a shock if you are older, and dont think we also wonder 'why us' and why cant we do this and that.

The six week rule for lifting the arm is for your protection, it can take up to six weeks for the wires to be settled in so that you can safely move your arm. OK some people may heal earlier, but whats the point in risking having to have all the wires removed and a new set put in, just for the sake of being sensible for a couple of weeks more.

Answers to my questions

by COBradyBunch - 2009-07-22 01:07:14

Saw the doc yesterday and while they didn't look at the pacer at all to see if it had been up to anything he did answer my questions:

Why does it still hurt (although much better than two weeks ago. Now a 1 or 2 v. a 8 or 9)?

Some people have more of an inflammation response than others. Looking at my scar he figures that is why I flared up so much 2 weeks after surgery but eventually, and it might take months, all the discomfort should go away.

What limitations do I have? (Can I go mountain biking, will a face plant after going over the handlebars be a problem? Basketball, contact sports?) How protected is the unit from impact?

No limitations although he doesn't recommend tackle football, MMA or Rugby. Direct blows to the unit are not recommended. Also he does not recommend power lifting since he had a patient who blew out 3 leads power lifting due to the movement of the unit by the muscles. I can now raise my hand as much as I want and no more sling sleeping.

I have been suffering fatigue since the implantation and have had a couple of fuzzy moments. Does the pacemaker records indicate I have dropped below threshold that would explain these or am I just so damned out of shape after not doing much for a month that I have to get back in the swing of things?

Not sure about this. He expects once I get back into regular exercise and routines things will get better.

If this sucker doesn't go off in a year or two can I get it taken out?

Talk about it in two - five years, but probably it is my buddy for life.

What things do I need to avoid (standing next to the radar dish on a nuke aircraft carrier and not sticking magnets to my pacer as a parlor trick)? Seriously, What is urban myth and what do I really need to stay away from? Airport/business metal detectors? Wii balance board?

MRI's are the only real thing that is an issue. Of course you don't want to hang out and stand in anything with a big magnet but normal day to day activities should have no effect. Wii balance boards, no problems.

What exercises are recommended and what exercises should I say away from? I want to get back in shape but don't want to put myself back on pain meds because the muscles around this thing are so sensitive. Aerobic, Weight Training, Running, Cycling, Kayaking, Hiking

He is not a big fan of kayaking or repetitive movement exercises but as long as they are only weekend warrior things they are okay. Something about repetitive motion of the shoulder and leads has lead to issues but as long as it is not all day multiple times a week I should be fine.

I like to backpack and wear a Camelback a lot hiking. Any recommendations?

Get a pad to cushion the pacer.

Can I get a copy of the pre and post reports?

They are sending me these.

How often do I need to be checked out?

He still wants to put me through a couple of tests to rule out any other underlying problems that could have created this issue but other than that, once more in three months and then once a year after that.

What if anything should I be concerned about if it starts happening?

No pacer specific things I should watch for, just general health.

Will I notice if the pacemaker kicks in at 50 bpm?

Nope. Pacer will just keep my HR at 50 bpm if I drop below and I will never know when I am pacing and when I am just running on the lower end of my HR zone.


Hope the answers to these questions help out others here.

You know you're wired when...

Like the Energizer Bunny, you keep going.

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At age 20, I will be getting a pacemaker in few weeks along with an SA node ablation. This opportunity may change a five year prognosis into a normal life span! I look forward to being a little old lady with a wicked cane!