Time off

Hi All, this is my 1st post. Still in shock from my experience.
I have just had my pacemaker fitted on Monday, how long am I likely to be off work (office based).
I only went to the doctors last Thursday with a chest infection and mentioned I had been having headache's, when he took my pulse he found it to be very slow (45bpm) and sent me for an ECG, they said ECG was very active and I needed to wear a trace monitor for 24 hrs, I returned this the next afternoon. At 4.45 had a phone call from the doctor telling me to get to the hospitals Cardiac Care Unit immediately as overnight readings where dangerously low, where I was informed that I would be under observation for the weekend and have a pacemaker fitted on Monday, Had a few episodes on the Saturday night, doctors where considering fitting a temporary pacemaker but decided against, had the pacemaker fitted on Monday, how long is my recovery likely to be.
Take care all

Charlie

10 Comments

Welcome, Part III

by qwerty - 2010-02-03 01:02:12

I agree with Pookie and Pacer. I got my PM 10 days ago. My heart rate was dropping very low at night and not recovering much either. So I didn't have a lot of notice either. As for work. They first said I could go back after 1 week. (by the way, I am 59 and just do office work). But After the surgery, and the fact I drive 35 miles one way to work, I asked for an additional week. They gave me two. I have lots of time off available, and I decided to take the additional two weeks. Yes, the incision is healing, but I want to make DARN SURE that the healing on the inside is complete and I am ready to return as good as I can get. And in my work environment, it would be easy to Forget and raise my arm, so... I will take 3 weeks off. But, if needed, I think I would feel fine to go back after 10 days or so. My shoulder is still sore after 10 days, but I haven't had any pain meds for 5 days now and am doing OK. If you have the time available, take it and let your body heal as much as possible.

Cherell

Recovery

by timberhitch - 2010-02-03 02:02:02

Hi Charlie, I agree also. If possible take as much time as you need. For me, it has taken a full month for the pain and discomfort to subside but I am fortunate as I work 8 months of the year (golf course) and this is my off time. In reading the posts on this site you will find that recovery times are all over the place, from a few days to months. You will have to let your body tell you when it is time to return. Just keep in mind that heavy lifting and arm raising are still no nos even though you might not have much pain. I hope you have a fast recovery and that all of your heart problems will be solved.

Timberhitch

Time Varies

by bgarza - 2010-02-03 04:02:21

As mentioned take your time and don't rush things. We all heal differently. My EP said to take a couple of weeks off. I had been to my 10 day check-up, incision looked good and was told I could go to work, just to take it easy. Definitely want to protect your shoulder and be careful with the seat belt. I wore an arm shoulder harness to keep me from jerking at night when I slept. I wore that for about a month. Nine months out, I'm doing much better and I'm sure you will be too.

Recovery

by mikesmom93 - 2010-02-03 04:02:37

I had mine on a Monday, went home first thing Tuesday, was totally bored by Thursday, and went back to work Friday (desk job).

I felt great, only minor soreness, so saw no reason not to go back.

Don't rush it. Listen to your docs and your body. Remember not to lift your elbow higher than your shoulder for a few weeks, and no lifting.

Melissa

Thousands of Differences ~ ~

by Carolyn65 - 2010-02-03 06:02:25

When I first joined the PM Club in 5/09 and finally agreed to my PM implant on 10/2/09, I had read enough to know that these PM Club members are from all over the world and each one of us are so different in our health lives. These members are so wonderful in helping out with your "Posts/Comments". Each one is so educated over the years in the PM/medical field. They tell me more than my whole Dr. teams! !

After my implant, I had a mild pain med. for the incision after I returned home for about 24 hours since I do not tolerate pain. After that, my biggest problem was remembering NOT to raise the arm on the PM implant side to above your heart line. My PM implant side is the left side and of course I can only sleep on my left side normally.

The best advice is everything all the above PM members have mentioned. Just because you think you are feeling better or forget, just do NOT over do/kill.

Best wishes, Carolyn G. in TEXAS ( :

Welcome

by Pookie - 2010-02-03 10:02:16

Welcome!!! You have found an amazing support group with loads of informative people just waiting to jump in and help.

I'm sure you are still in shock...wow...everything happened SO fast for you. Could be a blessing in disguise because for us who had to wait and wait and wait for our pacemaker surgeries...well, the anxiety tended to grow along with it.

Now to your question about how long you will be off of work. It is different for each person. Some go back to work in a couple of days, some don't go back for several weeks. Only you and your doctor will be able to establish that. HINT: give yourself lots of time to heal.

Your scar on the outside might look terrific, but inside there is still a lot of healing going on. Personally, I'd take as much time off as you can.

I'm sure you will get a lot of responses to your post.

Good luck, and take it easy.

Pookie

Welcome, part II

by DC Pacer - 2010-02-03 11:02:28

Well said, Pookie! I had a two week reprieve from my doc, and ended up taking an additional two weeks off due to the nature of my job requirements - lots of driving and merchandising in retail stores.

Take it easy and make sure you take as much time to recover as fully as possible (which includes your emotional health as well...)

Good luck Charlie

DC

Thank you

by Charliew - 2010-02-04 04:02:54

Thank you for all your comments, I have an appointment with doctor for tomorrow so will discuss with him.
It is very easy to forget that my body needs to get over the shock of the last few days but soon lets me know when I move my left arm.
Will certainly be taking it easy for a while.

Regards

Charlie (Liverpool UK)

work and driving

by dwelch - 2010-02-06 02:02:12


Recovery is different for all of us, I think I am normally back to work in two weeks or less (am on pacer number 3). Driving myself to work at the same time, but keeping my left arm still. You dont think how much you use that arm when driving until you cant or wont use it for a bit. I live in the US pacer is on the left side and although right handed use the left hand/arm for a lot of the driving (have had stick shifts). Being in the UK if you are a righty with a pacer on the left and it is an automatic transmission you might have it easier than some of us yanks. If you have a stick shift that you have to shift with your pacer arm/shoulder you should take some extra time because the shifting will be uncomfortable for a bit.

Before you know it though recover will be over and your life will be better than normal.

Motorcycle

by Charliew - 2010-02-06 04:02:37

I use a motorcycle for 99% of my journeys, so will have no problems with stick shift.
I am a bit concerned about the weight of the bike over the next few months, it is a large BMW tourer and I am concerned about dropping it especially when maneuvering slowly, I am going to use public transport for the next few weeks until I feel strong enough.
Any other bikers who have has a PM fitted give me any reassurance.
I have a motorcycling trip to Austria from UK going through France, Belgium and Germany planned for June which will be about a 3000 mile trip over 10 days, does anyone think I should cancel (I know my wife wants me to cancel).

Take care

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Yesterday was my first day mountain biking after my implant. I wiped out several times and everything is fine. There are sports after pacemakers!