Mechanical Bull?

I'm trying to figure out whether it would be a bad idea to ride a mechanical bull. Some friends and I are going out this weekend and I'm not sure whether I should attempt it with a PM or not. I've been told to avoid "impact" activities. A little too vague for me, I wish there was a definite list of things not to do :-) Take last winter for instance. I nearly did a polar plunge, not even thinking that I couldn't or shouldn't. It dawned on me the day before so I contacted my PA and he pretty much asked me if I was crazy and said no.

5 Comments

Old Dumb Butt Did It Again

by SMITTY - 2011-10-06 01:10:26

Obviously I have posted one of the above messages in the wrong pew. I'll ask one of our good natured Admin helpers to remove it.
Smitty

Bowling With A Pacemaker

by SMITTY - 2011-10-06 01:10:37

Hello Kenearl,

I see no reason you can't bowl again. It may take two or three months to be sure the leads are fixed in place, but that is all. Of course you should check with your Dr in case there is something else to be considered. Golf is about the same. I got my PM in 2000 at age 71 and was playing golf by the time it was three months old. I have to admit it didn't help my score, but then that never was very good anyway.

After thinking about it, I still do everything I was doing before I got my PM.

Good luck,

Smitty

:Protecting The Pacemaker

by SMITTY - 2011-10-06 01:10:42

Hello Dybhen,

I have to wonder if the Dr was implying that you were crazy for doing the polar plunge because you now have a PM, or if it was because they think anybody that would subject their body to such shock was crazy. I know the sudden drop in temperature would not affect the PM. But I have to wonder what the sudden change in temp may do to your heart. If it causes your heart rate to drop below the low set point on your PM then it can take care of that. But since the only job of a PM is to increase the heart rate, the sudden shock of the cold water may cause other things to happen that the PM can't handle.

As for the "impact" activities I have always took that to mean meant activities such as boxing or football or any other activity where there is a risk of getting a lick directly on the PM. The lick is not going to hurt the PM, but it will most likely hurt you and there is also a risk of such lick breaking or causing damage to the leads going from the PM to your heart.

My thoughts on the mechanical bull are the same as the impact activities. You do get a pretty good jerking and if you are holding on with the hand on the side of the PM implant it may have about the same effect as getting hit on the PM. I will admit I don't know if a mechanical bull would cause damage to the PM or its leads, but even if I was younger, that is one activity I would avoid. I recall seeing people get on the one in Gilley's night club many years ago. Even though I was in my early 40s I knew that bull riding was something I would rather watch than try.

Good luck,

Smitty

You Don't Want ...

by donr - 2011-10-06 09:10:03

...a list of prohibited activities! You would spend the rest of your life crapped out on a couch, watching the boob tube. No Medic in his/her right mind would let you do anything remotely active for fear of getting sued!

Personally, I think you are nuts to ride the bull. Even w/o the PM!

Check with the bulls doc

by ElectricFrank - 2011-10-07 02:10:03

Don't dig your knees into the bull too hard. You could damage the bulls pacemaker leads. LOL

frank

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