Over 11 weeks since last surgery

only 11 weeks.

by new to pace.... - 2023-06-25 22:42:19

Sorry to hear you are still suffering, take it easy while you are healing your left arm.   go slowly while you keep moving your arm.  many have used a cream to soften.  I use accupunture to help heal the scar tissue.

Yes they are monitoring you and will contact you when something is not right.  I am monitored nightly and then quartely and an in office pacemaker check once a year. 

You can always do a search on this site for your concerns.  Next to "logout" there is a magnifying symbol click on that and put in the search box your question.  And you will see you are not alone with your concerns.

new to pace.

new to pace

Over 11 Weeks

by AgentX86 - 2023-06-25 23:03:07

It's not clear from your post but lifting weights isn't the only thing you need to be doing, or the most important, at this time.  You should be moving the shoulder as much as possible, in every direction (reaching up, behind your back, hand extended in front).  Don't get carried away. Start slowly, then work your way up.  Strength in the arms isn't nearly as important as the mobility of the shoulder.

Shoulder and exercise

by FloridaTed - 2023-06-25 23:18:26

Agent- yes I use weights to work in my shoulder and arm. Maybe this is why it's feeling uncomfortable because I'm stretching the scar tissue? 
I'm trying to reach and reestablish my shoulder mobility. Hopefully the summer will be better...

Sore arm

by Lavender - 2023-06-26 09:16:29

Thx for the update! It sounds very good! I'm a fan of therapeutic massage for soreness. 
 

Everyone heals at a different rate. I didn't start noticing that I felt better until the seven month mark. Soreness in the left arm lingered for 18 months or so. I started getting every two week massages after about two months post pacemaker surgery. The masseuse worked the muscles in that area. I'm good now but continue the twice monthly massages. In my area, it's affordable by buying a membership. 
 

You sound strong! Maybe look into massage to tweak those muscles!

arms and shoulders

by Julros - 2023-06-26 10:57:43

Hi!

I had a great deal of discomfort after my initial implant. I saw a phyical therapist who initally started me on stretches like shoulder shrugs, circles, and drawing my shoulder blades together. I progressed to standing close to a wall and sliding each hand up and down and side to side on the wall. When I had good mobility, I moved on to rows, butterflies, tricep extensions and pushups. 

The deep end

by Gotrhythm - 2023-06-26 13:33:07

When it comes to pacemakers, it's hard to reconcile the doctors' concern before with their arms-length approach after.  Yeah. It can feel like you're thrown into the deep end.

It's kind of a good news/bad news thing. BAD news: You really have been thrown into the deep in. But GOOD news: that's because the doctor knows that now that you have a pacemaker, a) the "deep end" is where you belong and b) you can handle it.

Getting a pacemaker is a psychological wrench for many people. It's hard to believe that we're really supposed to go on just like before. But actually we are. Sort of. And we can. Sort of.

Now for the "sort of" part. There's nothing "normal" about having a chunk of metal in your chest.  We do have questions and the occasional challenge, physical and psychological, that most people don't.

That's where The Pacemaker Club comes in. We know the territory you've suddenly found yourself in. We recognize the signposts, and above all, we know how it feels.

So come back whenever you like. Read the posts even when you have nothing to post about yourself. And occasionally, when you see a post you know something about, answer it yourself.

You can say to others, Come on in. The water here in the deep end is fine.

PS. A few sessions with a physical therapist to learn the right exercises to stretch and strenghthen the shoulder is a good idea.

Appreciated

by FloridaTed - 2023-06-26 21:49:33

Thank you all for your advice. I'll stay the course.

Without post surgery proper medical advice or suggestions I feel like have been abandoned. I don't want to do too little or too much. Who knows? I just want to ramp up my weights. And go for a run soon!

But based on your comments, it's a loooong process.

I hesitate getting a message or something else at this point yet, but I will be open to anything that will get my body more limber. (Soon? Whenever that is)

Anyway, I know I'm not the only one, but it feels that way when I observe everyone without a care in the world. Oh well, at least this thing is doing its job. Who knows how I would be without it. Probably in bad shape.

Have a great one.