Was I missing something

I had my PM put in in spring 08 after the surgeon who did my ablation messed up. I was released from the hospital two days after I got my PM. But now, reading around on here and other sites, was my doctor supposed to put me into rehabilitation to help me better recover? I have become so week and out of shape since I got my PM. I'm wondering if I should have taken some sort of physical therapy or rehab. Or is it too late to have it now? I want to get back into shape, lose some weight. But exercise is so difficult for me now... Any tips on gentle exercise?

8 Comments

Rehab

by biker72 - 2010-08-03 01:08:48

I went through a 7 hour ablation procedure and wound up wth a pacemaker.

Next day I was out of the hospital riding my bicycle .......not very far but still riding. I went back to work the following day.

Walk

by travlin50 - 2010-08-03 03:08:09

I would start walking. If you can't get out of your house, try walking around your living area, like up and down your hallway if you have one. Start out slow and go a little farther each time. It does sound like maybe you have something else going on. It has been over two years since you received your PM, have you talked with your doc about your weakness? I would do that right away and ask if you can start walking. If it is too hot outside you could go to your local inside mall and walk around there. That is how I started to get back in shape - Mall Walking. Wish you the best of luck.

rehab?

by JessiWay - 2010-08-03 04:08:26

I didn't have rehab after my ablation/pacemaker implant, either. They didn't even bring it up. My energy level is still low-ish, but that is the result of ventricular tachycardia. Take the advice of those above & begin to exercise. All will be well. And walking is great, that is all that i have done...the motion of walking while swinging your arms is great for you, exercises muscles in your spine that are not used at any other time. It is also great for your heart! Keep your chin up, it gets better!
~Jessi

You were supposed to have cardiac rehab

by CARL_MANLEY - 2010-08-03 05:08:21

After recieving your pacemaker you was supposed to have some kind of cardiac rehabilition to strenghen your heart followed by physical therapy for a few months get you a resonably priced exercize bike from some place like a K-Mart or Walmart that would be great until your ready for the treadmill which you could also buy from one of these retailers

I wasnt told to

by walkerd - 2010-08-03 07:08:36

have rehab after my pm/defib insertion??? I was told to after my open heart surgery but didnt. Take short walks at first and just lengthen after time keep building up to longer walks. Ride a stationary bike or a regular bike. Not sure how long you should wait to ride the bike after surgery I would ask your doctor, streching to handle bars and turning? When all else fails ask your doctor maybe with certian conditions maybe rehab is helpful if you want to spend the bucks. Just my thoughts

dave

rehab

by franko1966 - 2010-08-03 07:08:36

din not have rehab,after my defib/and pacemaker ,in jan 2007.I DID HAVE A ablation,in derc 09,still no rehab,just told me to walk for exercise,pluse i'll be going for another ablation,on 08/25 hope it not over 5 hrs like the first one

Not needed.

by tcrabtree85 - 2010-08-03 10:08:47

You do not need rehab just for a pm being placed in. The lack of energy that you are talking about makes me wonder if you have more going on with you than just the need of the pm.
The pm is too give you more energy and should have made it easier for you to do those extra things that you wish to be doing now.
I have never heard of rehab after a pm surgery it is pretty minor compared to having open heart surgery. With open heart I do believe it is needed but at the same time if you have motivation you can do a lot of that training to work out your body and get your heart back in shape on your own.
If part of your problem comes from fear when moving, here they have at the hospital for people with heart problems most are older though but a program where a nurse is watching over you and leading a group of about 20 in a workout each morning. That way if you have a problem and feel weird she is able to check you out. A program like that may be nice for you.
Otherwise I would start with a bike also maybe a chair bike though where you don't have to move your arms to start with. I wish you luck.

Tammy

nope

by LS - 2010-08-04 08:08:26

Rehab was never mentioned.
Start by walking. Even short ones. It's all cumulative!
Liz

You know you're wired when...

You have an excuse for being a couch potato.

Member Quotes

I've seen many posts about people being concerned about exercise after having a device so thought I would let you know that yesterday I raced my first marathon since having my pacemaker fitted in fall 2004.