Back Pain?

I had everything implanted in February of 07. I am 100% paced on the bottom half and 37% paced on the top of my heart. I'm also 48 years old and had no simptoms before my fist "episode". All other blood work looks great and shows no sign of anything wrong.. My heart simply beats in all kinds of rythms with no pattern. (No there is no family history anywhere) I wasn't supposed to "make it" but God just isn't finished with me yet! Yeah!!!

My question is about back pain and exercise. I am allowed to work ( teach high school) and to walk. I do most of my own housework, but have older teenagers living at home that help out ...alot. II just got out of the hospital because I was in a gym during a boys basketball practice and ended up with a sever pain going from my back into the middle of my chest. I rolled into a ball and was crying before I realized I was hurting so badly.. After three days in ICU...no problems were found with my heart. Everything is working fine all numbers are 0 on enzymes. It was a severe muscle spasim in my back from the surgery and a combination of other things. Now my question, what am I supposed to do for stretching exercises? Where can I go to find something about prevention of this happening again? When it was happening I felt like my first episode and the the doctors responded like it was another heart issue.

My doctors are very supportive and have kept assuring me that I reacted wisely by going to the hospital. They have told me if it happens again to go back to the emergency room, to not hesitate. I don't know if I am more concerned that they couldn't find anything with my heart (of which I am very greatfull) or the thought that I have no idea of what to do about this.

Do any of you have a suggestions about what I can do to help my back? I want to exercise, but am told not to at this point. so I want to stretch without hurting anything else. Give me some ideas...please

Rattle Box

2 Comments

exercising

by Tracey_E - 2009-02-08 06:02:36

If they told you not to, then don't do it yet! If you stretch wrong you can make it worse. Building strength- weight and toning exercises that strengthen your core- is the best way to prevent things like that from happening again but it sounds like they don't want you doing that yet. Have they discussed physical therapy? That's the best way to ease back into exercises and the therapist can give you safe stretches.

I have occasional spasms in my back, lingering from a bad car accident. I have an amazing chiropractor who keeps me out of pain and gives me strength exercises to do.

Having had two bad discs for years

by BillMFl - 2009-02-08 08:02:36

I know exactly what muscle spasms in the back can be like. One of the best ways to loosen up a tight back is just plain slow walking. This warms up and loosens many of the muscles that originate in the lower back. Gently swing ypur arms back and forth and that helps warm and loosen the upper back. MODERATION is the key. If something hurts too much stop at once. My favorite position when my back acts up is to lie on a hard floor (soft pad on floor) with my knees bent and feet flat. You can read, watch TV or listen to music in this position. Do not sit in a chair or couch! The bent position is the worst. Your back will lock up and get stiff. So avoid sitting as much as possible until you get over this bad back. A heating pad can help relax the back, but don't lay on it for hours. As you get better, there are lots of back excercises and stretches that will not agravate your back. You can find them on the net, and there are many brochures at places like back rehab clinics, physical therapy clinics and chiropractic offices. I get a massage every other week that focuses mostly on my back and it really helps.

You know you're wired when...

You fondly named your implanted buddy.

Member Quotes

I finished 29th in London in 2 hours 20 minutes 30 seconds which is my fastest with or without a device so clearly it didn’t slow me down ! I had no problems apart from some slight chaffing on my scar - more Vaseline next time.