Lifted my PM Arm above shoulder three times by accident, anxious about consequences

everyone does it

by Tracey_E - 2017-08-24 22:04:17

I don't think anyone gets through without doing it! Dressing is particularly tricky. The concern is pulling the leads loose, not doing any damage to your arm. After the first 24-48 hours, it's just precaution and the odds of doing any damage are minisucle. In fact, there was a study recently with patients with the traditional restrictions and another group with none. Both groups had the same rate of dislodged leads. I've seen my own doctor ease up on his post op instructions in the last few years.

If a lead were to come loose, you'd feel like you did before. But don't sweat it, unless you are swinging a golf club or something like that, it's virtually impossible to do any damage. 

If you are concerned

by MartyP - 2017-08-24 22:05:52

Probably it's fine, but if you concerned, don't let that worry fester, go tomorrow, it's a long weekend to ruminate about it.

Lifting the left arm

by TAC - 2017-08-25 07:17:58

Lifting the left arm above shoulder height, may or may not dislodge the leads of the PM inside the heart chambers. If you have no symptoms it means that the leads are still in place, but do not push your luck. 

lifting arm and other wives tales...

by The real Patch - 2017-08-25 12:41:10

I suppose you guys are going to force me to pull the article again on this topic. By all means follow your doctors advice but I read some medical studies that proved that had no measureable effect.

As TraceyE said, and she's one of the few I would recommend you follow here, everybody does that then panics. Fact is I doubt seriously you caused any problems. They put a service loop in the leads with quite a bit of slack. The intent is so that when we move and use our arms the slack in the wires prevents tension against the ends of the wires so that's not an issue.

My last implant I had to get three new leads crammed in as well. I asked the EP about avoiding raising the arm and he looked at me like I was nuts and asked Why?

Again, I advocate following you doctors instructions but don't worry so much and panic when you do accidentally raise your arm. By the way yes, I did have a lead pull out of dodge once and had lead revision surgery..and that was when I was extremely cautious about movement.

Lifting arm after PM surgery

by Katherine - 2017-08-31 11:08:41

i would not be concerned at all. Many sites say you don't have to do this at all anymore. I lifted my also and had no consequences. It might be a different story if you were trying to wait lift.