Help with info
Hi All
Today without thinking I raised my arm are over my head, just two weeks after having PM put in. What should I be looking for if I damaged anything? My Dr. told me under not circumstances should I raise my arm above my shoulder. I did it without thinking and not sure what to do now or what to look for. I can't be the first to do this.
Ron
7 Comments
No Harm No Foul...
by chip - 2008-12-22 04:12:56
I wouldn't worry too much about it.
We all have put our arms above our heads many times while healing.
Now if you developed any problems that brought you to get the pacer then I'd call my doctor or go to the ER if it was bad enough.
My EP told me it wasn't so much simply putting your arm up - it was putting it up and streching the muscle that was the problem.
Enjoy the Holiday & God Bless!
Don't fret
by Katielou - 2008-12-22 05:12:54
I shouldn't worry too much - I was out putting the washing on the line one week after my ICD implant but was very careful not to stretch too much. Unless you have any pain or feel that you might have done some damage I wouldn't be too concerned. Of course If you need to put your mind at rest then you could always call your doctor for advice. I also used to lift my arm to wash my hair, again very gently but living alone it's difficult sometimes to follow all the rules.
Good luck with your pacemaker - hope you will soon feel confident with it.
Lesley
Thanks again
by ronbabsh - 2008-12-22 06:12:30
Thank you Chip and Lesley
I'm glad you responded is nice to have advice from someone who has gone through something like this and is willing to help others. So far I'm glad for the PM, I'm feeling better and that is the bottom line.
Ron
should be fine
by Tracey_E - 2008-12-22 07:12:09
You're probably fine! Watch for signs that your pulse has dropped too low or you feel like you did before you got the pm. When in doubt, ask them to check it but you'd likely know if it wasn't working. The odds of dislodging it after the first few days are very slim. It may seem like the odds are higher than that if you've read through the posts here, keep in mind that for every person who comes here to get answers to a problem, there are hundreds out there who never have an issue.
When I got my first one 15 years ago, they didn't even tell me to keep my arm down. They put me in a sling the first 24 hrs and no restrictions after that other than don't push it.
I'm guessing we all do it
by Gonnie - 2008-12-22 09:12:14
About 2 weeks after getting my PM/ICD implant, I woke up one morning with my arm over my head under my pillow like I always sleep. I was horrified to think I did something to it but all was well apparently. I also had to blow my hair dry which wasn't easy but I got the job done. What I'm noticing now after 5 months, is how my bump feels where the implant lies. It must take a good 90 days for the swelling to go down completely because now I feel ripples & bumps in it rather than the smoothness I felt earlier. At least I hope that's normal! Wishing you a Merry Christmas & a healthy New Year!
I did too
by walkerd - 2008-12-23 11:12:41
I think it was sooner than that and nothing, I think it is more on doing it all the time and reaching which could unset the leads. Just let dr. know i know i did it more than once by accident of course and was all worried about it . You should be ok. I made sure i wore my sling at night for four weeks like told just in case it happened to me alot in bed, but i did it to while awake.
dave
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by ronbabsh - 2008-12-22 04:12:06
Thanks for the info. I've had some pain in that area since I raised my arm but I think it could be from sore muscles seeing it's only been two weeks. I'm still somewhat sore to the touch anyway.
Ron