so tomorrow I have a pacemaker fitted & I am so nervous. Am worried about how to cope afterwards with using the arm & shoulder the pacemaker is in. I understand I can’t lift my arm above my head or behind my body but can I put any weight on it for example to move up in bed.
Any one who has had this procedure how did you cope or am I worrying about nothing
Any advice appreciated thanks i
OK - firstly good luck. Whichever side the pacemaker is fitted will be sore - you will not want to use that side to lift yourself up in bed for a good week or two.
The lifting arm above the head is the important one because the leads they put into the heart need to embed so stretching may dislodge them - that’s the really important bit.
Are you having 2 or 3 leads? If three leads - it’s very, very important to take not stretch as that 3rd lead is much more difficult to reattach.
Most PM’s are done with IC pain killers and local anaesthetic but if you are very nervous they will either offer or you should ask for a mile sedative. I didn’t learn this until afterwards but a very good question to ask is will you close with stitches? Don’t let them use staples to close - it can increase the risk of infection and that could be dangerous - very, very uncommon but something to be aware of and stiches leave less of a scar anyway.
Apart from that it’s an in and out job, they will watch you for a few hours, you will get an X-ray before going home to check all looks good.
I put my arm in a sling for the first week or two - it just reminded me I CANNOT USE. It’s weeks 3-6 you need to worry about because you feel good and forget and then you find yourself reaching into a kitchen cupboard or something stupid like that so that’s when the sling come in as a reminder.
The benefits you will receive from the pacemaker far, far outweigh any limitations on movement long term - but just one other tip - because you are not using your arm and of the siting of the PM there is a danger of frozen shoulder so consult a physio on safe exercises to do during your recovery period.
Hope that helps - Best wishes.
Oh, one other - bras - ensure you have easy to use, step in sleep bras with no metal clasps in the front or just go bra less if you can.
I tied my wrist to my waist with a length of crepe bandage to prevent me flapping my arm about in bed.(Enough slack to move but not raise above head. I usually sleep in the recovery position) .Other wise no problems. A bit sore for a few days , obviously no driving for a week. I had to sit in right hand rear seat coming home from hospital as seat belt uncomfortable.
The actual procedure was fine. I was given some sedation I think as it is a bit blurry and I stayed in over night since I live 250 miles from London where it was fitted.
Don't forget to advise DVLA and insurance company if you drive. No issues there but you do have to tell them.
CDreamer has said everything else.
Hi….I am 86 and had the pacemaker fitted two months ago…please don’t worry …..I wasn’t unduly concerned and it was ok …yes the shoulder is tender it’s bound to be …and you adjust to not lifting things and raising your arm over your head…follow the precautions and you will be ok …I can only speak from personal experience ….all the best
the one thing your doctor should tell you in line really stressed it to me is to not use my left arm to even stand up out of a chair. Also do not put it up to put it behind your head, etc. the reason for all of this is your leads are not embedded yet it is going to take time. I was finish the beginning of February and had the AV node done the end of February. Yes, it’s a pain in the neck not using your left arm but you need to get used to it. trust me from what my doctor told me you do not want to have those leads move for anything. I am a side sleeper especially my left and I was laying that way in the hospital. The doctor had a fit until he saw I had pillows under my left side in such a way that there was no pressure. If you can get one of those devices that go between your mattress and box spring to help you out of bed I would do so ASAP . Take the warning of not using your left arm and hand. Very seriously.
Other than that relax. I had pain meds in the hospital, but simply took Tylenol at home and it was fine. It gets itchy where they put the pacemaker and you need to be very careful not to contaminate that area because again it is not something you want to deal with. And you’re gonna be fine. I am so glad I had it done. I was more uncomfortable after the AV node ablation, but it was still not that bad. Once I realized it was the same as all my other oblations as far as what I was feeling good luck best of luck Try to relax your quality of life. Once you have the AV node done it’s gonna be so much better.
76 years old with A F
apixaban and hematuria 
shortness of breath
3% Afib burden and proposed medication
