Sleeping on the same side as my pacemaker

I received my pacemaker 4 weeks ago and it was inserted on the left side. I have Sick Sinus Syndrome, my heart paused for long periods of time. I was told to not sleep on the same side as the pacemaker for a while. I have my first checkup in 2 weeks. I was wondering if it okay to begin sleeping on the same side as my pacemaker or should I wait until my checkup. I have been feeling really good and been good at following the doctors orders.
Mike

11 Comments

ok

by Tracey_E - 2009-03-14 08:03:08

If it's comfortable for you and you keep your arm lower than your shoulder, it should be fine now. I found I was too store to sleep on the side of my pm for longer than that, but we're all different.

Gremlins

by SMITTY - 2009-03-14 08:03:24

Gremlins got into one line of the message I posted above. It reads "Also, I tried to keep from raising my arm above shoulder froght for 5 or 6 weeks, whichever it was the Dr told me to do."

That should be "Also, I tried to keep from raising my arm above shoulder height for 5 or 6 weeks, whichever it was the Dr told me to do."

Sleeping With PM

by SMITTY - 2009-03-14 08:03:41

Hey Mike,

At 4 weeks I was letting pain be the determining factor for whether I did something or not. If it didn't hurt, I did it, with the exception of being careful not to lift anything heavier than 20 lbs. with my left arm. However, it was a couple of months before it did not hurt to sleep on my left side. Also, I tried to keep from raising my arm above shoulder froght for 5 or 6 weeks, whichever it was the Dr told me to do.

You most likely got some instructions from your Dr as he knows from your surgery what, if any, restraints you should have on your activities. If you didn't get any instructions for something there is no better time than right now to ask the good Dr. One serious misstep now and you could be back to square one.

Good luck,

Smitty

Sleeping on left side

by ElectricFrank - 2009-03-14 11:03:44

The side you sleep on shouldn't have any effect on the operation of the pacer. Just be aware if sleeping on the left side seems to irritate the site. In other words treat it like any other surgical incision.

frank

YES

by pete - 2009-03-15 03:03:39

If you could take a film of yourself when you are asleep you would be amazed at the amount of body movement and changes of position. You have no control of this so when you go to sleep you should choose a position that gets you to sleep easily and makes you feel comfortable. I always go to sleep on my stomach but I often wake up on my back. We pacemaker patients benefit from a good nights sleep.

Stomach sleeper

by renee14150 - 2009-03-15 07:03:07

After surgery i too was worried about "sleep position". I fall asleep best on my stomach....the first 2 weeks I was too sore to sleep on my stomach. Sort of like everyone else i just kept trying once it did not hurt i felt comfortable sleeping on my stomach.

Sleeping on stomach

by ElectricFrank - 2009-03-16 12:03:59

It's probably good you couldn't sleep on your stomach the first 2 weeks. It's easy to put your arms up during stomach sleep which isn't the best.

The first week I rigged myself a strap around my waist and hooked to my left wrist. It stopped my arm about shoulder height and did wake me up a couple of times at night.

frank

Thanks for the replys

by mbeck9680 - 2009-03-17 08:03:03

Thank you to everyone who replied. I just had a few nights when I woke up and had the urge to lay on my left side. I tried it after receiving some of the feedback above and got along fine. I didn't really sleep on my left side but it just allowed me to change positions enough to make a difference.

I have never been a good sleeper but I have noticed that I do sleep better since getting my PM. I have more consistent sleep and doen't wake up as often during the night. Thanks again.

Mike

sleep positions with pacemaker and apnea mask

by dak - 2017-02-07 10:40:55

Thanks for info on sleeping,  3 wks into recovery for pacemaker after 6 months of cardioconversions and 2 ablations.  Before apnea diagnoses 9 months ago   was a stomach sleeper. Started sleeping on either sides and now on back....its been rocky road,but last night tried both sides....still feels awkward....but no pain....using different pillow stacking is helping...but my lower back is getting tired of position. But sure feels good to be in rythmn and guess rest will come.

sleep positions with pacemaker and apnea mask

by dak - 2017-02-09 12:42:12

Wow! Tried left side and was fine.....I was able to really cuddle in and skeep. also, did wake up for moment and turned over on right side....fell asleep that way as well.....I see dr on Monday...hoping he releases me from lifting no more than 10 lbs. 

Sleeping with Pacemaker

by CCYOUNG - 2024-04-23 18:53:14

So I have a pacemaker on my right side (because i am left handed) and I found that I cannot sleep on the same side as the pacemaker because it was submuscular meaning like a pendulum in a muscle pocket and it would get all jammed up under my collar bone and hurt me, So I am only able to sleep on my left side with a pillow as I cannot let my arm cross all the way over my body as it jams me all up.    Pillow between the knees left side is my comfort zone.

You know you're wired when...

Your heart beats like a teenager in love.

Member Quotes

It's much better to live with a pacemaker than to risk your life without one.