Sleeping with a pacemaker....

I just got a dual chamber Medtronics pacemaker on Feb 24th on the left side. Will I only be able to sleep on my back or right side from now on ? Is it unsafe to put pressure on the pacemaker by sleeping on the left side or tummy?.

Secondly my cardiologist says never do any chest excercises from now on to prevent leads from being ripped out. So......that being said is having sex for me, the guy , in the "push-up" position not not a good idea either?????

4 Comments

I agree with Bowlrbob

by janetinak - 2009-03-16 02:03:25

I sleep on my left & right side all the time with my left sided PM. It was a little sore for the 1st few wks & I put a pillow behind my back so I can rest back on that to get the pressure off the shoulder. Lately that has more to do with tendonitis in my shoulder not the PM. I also agree that Dr probably meant limiting exercise @ 1st 'til you heal better. Better to check tho @ your return visit.
I exercise in the pool & use those foam weights for my arms & so far so good.

Sorry your Dr will have to address the "push-up" position question but I bet even that will be OK eventually.

Keep plugging along,

Janet

healing

by Tracey_E - 2009-03-16 05:03:44

Once you heal for a minimum of 6 weeks, you can sleep however you want. And have sex in whatever position you want, lol. The main things we have to avoid long term are magnets and full contact sports, just about anything else goes. Take it easy the first 6-8 weeks until the leads have time to anchor in well, no lifting the left arm higher than your shoulder and don't lift any weight over a few lbs.

There are some doctors that say we should never do push ups, but they are in the minority and a lot of us do them (with our doctor's approval) and have not had problems. The only thing I notice is if I overdo it, the scar tissue around the pm pulls and it aches a bit. Not a big deal, just a reminder to cut back a bit next time.

Just give it some time.

by bowlrbob - 2009-03-16 12:03:48

My pacer is on the left also I sleep on that side all the time. But you will want to take about 6 weeks before you do. Also check with your Dr. again about the exercises I think he meant for the first 6 to 8 weeks. For that amount of time while things heal you can pull out the leads. After about 6 to 8 weeks and scar tissue has formed around the leads there should be no problem. My tech told me once the scar tissue is formed you can't pull the leads out with a backhoe. His words not mine. Anyway Just reaffirm this with your DR. And by all means do what he says. Bowlrbob

Arm Movement

by lynnbo - 2009-04-08 04:04:11

I have had a pacemaker since the age of 6months (5 in my 27 years) I sleep everywhich way and never have a problem. Sometimes when I sleep on my right side (pacemaker in the upper right of chest) I have to manuever the pacer a bit to get it in a comfortable position.

As for the push ups, I have always been told the repetive movements over head or of the shoulders can cause your leads to break sooner rather than later.... Since 3 of my 5 pacers have been replaced due to leads breaking before the battery ever wears out I tend to listen, but I do Yoga religiously and don't have problems.

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So, my advice is to go about your daily routine and forget that you have a pacemaker implanted in your body.