Pacemaker Newbie: Hi All, I know it's... - British Heart Fou...

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Pacemaker Newbie

Hizzy2319 profile image
20 Replies

Hi All,

I know it's not very common having a pacemaker fitted in your 20s, but i was just wondering how soon i can get back to normality?

I am moving my arm and the wound is healing well, but i want to go outside and run. It's been 2 weeks and physically i'm ok, but mentally i'm going mad. Is 4 weeks just a guide and a precaution?

I don't want to do any more damage, obviously, but if i can start training sooner rather than later, then that would be great!

Thanks

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Hizzy2319 profile image
Hizzy2319
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20 Replies
MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star

Hello and welcome to the forum! Two more weeks is nothing in the grand scale of things. Listen to the advice rather than compromise your future!

Hizzy2319 profile image
Hizzy2319 in reply to MichaelJH

Thank you!

Yeah, you're right. I'm just stubborn and impatient. I also want to eat as much food as i want without dealing with consequences, ha! Thanks for your reply :)

Fredders profile image
Fredders

I’ve got a pacemaker and was given the four week wait, not lifting your left arm above shoulder height etc too, apparently it’s to allow the leads etc to settle in. Although in my case that wasn’t a problem cos I had also had an AVR so not moving too much wasn’t hard 😜. The next two weeks will fly by and you wouldn’t want to have another op because the lead’s came loose would you.

Wendy

Hizzy2319 profile image
Hizzy2319 in reply to Fredders

I've only just been able to put my hair up to be fair. Maybe that's why i have an x-ray in a couple of weeks to make sure the leads haven't become displaced. Ahhh, no! I think because i am fine on the outside, i feel like i'm good to go. Definitely wouldn't want to go through the operation again!

Thank you :)

Fredders profile image
Fredders in reply to Hizzy2319

I had an x-ray at my first check up, I think it’s normal to check nothing has moved. The only problem I had was that I got out of breath at the slightest exertion, but at my first checkup they just dismissed it as being the result of my heart surgery. When I had my next check up I told the technician that I was still getting out of breath and when he checked my settings they were set much too low. As soon as he changed them and walking back to my car I felt so much better.

Don’t worry, you’ll be back to your normal activities soon.

Wendy

Hizzy2319 profile image
Hizzy2319 in reply to Fredders

I think they'll be checking my settings as they weren't sure whether to set it as permanent pacing or temporary.

Oh wow, that's insane that's it's an instant change. I can't fault the medical service. It actually amazes me.

Fingers crossed I'll be bouncing off the walls in no time 🤞

Fredders profile image
Fredders in reply to Hizzy2319

Mine paces all the time because I got complete heart block after my op. I couldn’t fault my care for both my heart surgeries and my splenectomy, the care in hospital was excellent.

The time will fly by and you’ll be fine.

Hizzy2319 profile image
Hizzy2319 in reply to Fredders

They've set mine as permanent, too. They will just check the battery i assume. It's 2 weeks tomorrow since I had it fitted, so still a little surreal.

I'm glad you've had a positive experience with your care 😁

Fredders profile image
Fredders in reply to Hizzy2319

They’ll check everything. They put a little gizmo over the top of the pacemaker and take the readings off it, including battery life, and can make adjustments to the pacemaker through it. Amazing really. No need to undress, it can read the pacemaker through your clothes. 😺

bantam12 profile image
bantam12

I'm 4 weeks post pm implant and I was told to be careful and limit arm movements for 6 weeks, I certainly wouldn't want to go running yet as any over movement or over stretching causing me extra pain, no point in rushing recovery and risk dislodging the wires !

Hizzy2319 profile image
Hizzy2319

6 weeks!? i will be crawling on the floor. My movement is ok, i just can't quite stretch across my body with my left arm. Nowhere near as stiff as i was last week! 2 weeks compared to another 6 weeks, i was just hoping i'd be zooming around sooner.

Thank you :)

S11m profile image
S11m

My atrial lead got out of position (so I was disabled for half a decade) - so be very careful about raising your arms above your head.

Hizzy2319 profile image
Hizzy2319 in reply to S11m

Oh Wow, i hope you're ok now!

Gundoglady profile image
Gundoglady

I had my pacemaker fitted 2 years ago, it was 6 weeks of not being allowed to walk my 3 dogs, I had to let hubby walk them, I couldn't go with him, because it would just frustrate and annoy me!! ( He really has no idea when it comes to walking the dogs) , but, it has all been worth it, and I'd rather take it slow, easy and be careful for 6 weeks, than have to go through the fitting again.

Hizzy2319 profile image
Hizzy2319

I've been walking the dogs, but always used my other arm and have been with someone. Only little Jack Russell Cross, so they don't pull and then we let them off the lead. I would go out of my mind if i couldn't walk the dogs!

Isn't it funny how we have our own little ways of walking them 😄

Can't say I'm looking forward to having the battery changed in 5-10 years!

I was just hoping I'd be back to normal sooner rather than later. 4 weeks 3 days to go!

My reply aint as factual as the others but more personal with me being in my 20's and I nearly had one when had an op 5 years ago a week before my 21st so a right early birthday present that haha.I'd say is all how you feel I know I'd be very wary for quite some time but at same time agitated like you as ya just wanna get back to normal etc.Listen to the above people and take ya time I guess cause don't wanna over exert yourself even if ya feel fine and end back in hospital earlier than ya wanna be but I get how difficult it is.If ya wanna chat to another young un with Heart probs I'm all ears aha

Hizzy2319 profile image
Hizzy2319 in reply to Chronic25_Catlover

Heyyy.

Seems funny to say I'm lucky enough to have one. Guess I'm lucky to have amazing medical service.

I know the answer, i just don't want to believe it. I'm a Personal Trainer, so not training isn't going well!! 😄

I don't know a single other person with a pacemaker, never mind someone similar age to me.

It'll be worth it in the long term. Hope you're ok!

Chronic25_Catlover profile image
Chronic25_Catlover in reply to Hizzy2319

Heyyy haha and nah I get ya completely I guess I'm lucky enough too to have had my op the time I had it cause no idea what state would of been otherwise but I have quite a negative outlook on NHS etc don't want to get into it and still bear a grudge that I'm still ill despite the op and possible op in few years but also trying to just think we are humans and the human body is a complex machine aha we ain't robots.

Aye aha well as you sound healthy otherwise I'm sure you'll be back up and zigging around in no time aha and shouting bootcamp demands at people in no time ;) aye can understand how more frustrating itis for ya,I weep for my youth aha I use to be pretty athletic now I'm knackered walking around it sucks! despite that though I seem to somehow push myself walking 7-15miles at weekends and odd spot of bouldering and I drag myself up inclines I just love views!.

Well as ya know I had an op a wk before my 21st aha and nearly was fitted with an Pacemaker and I guess there's still years to have one or other implements or a Mechanical valve etc which all sounds a barrel of fun I dunno I hope I'm just monitored and nomore ops etc but who knows.

Indeed it will be!,well plodding on as we all do aha,keep well hun!

Hizzy2319 profile image
Hizzy2319 in reply to Chronic25_Catlover

I'm the same. My condition was found accidently. Yeah, they can only do so much. It'd have cost me so much money if we didn't have the NHS.

I've never been so excited to get back to work in my life 😄

Yeah, it's pants. It's the light headedness i couldn't deal with.

I've been monitored for 4/5 years and was none the wise till back end of last year. So fingers crossed they will find a solution for you 🤞

Chronic25_Catlover profile image
Chronic25_Catlover in reply to Hizzy2319

Ahrighty well if ya read my Bio you'd know mine was too aha went for a minor op health check for an minor op non heart related ended up staying for an ECG and then it all went from there haha.That is so true it would beggar belief really.

Aha aye I bet ;) nah yeah I get it my work sucks but when came home from op and was off for 2 months I went cabin crazy that I just wanted to go back to normality.

Ah really that sucks and yeah I've only known since I was 18 I'm 25 now and still learning aha.I've a leaky Heart Valve so it's monitor and hope don't get worse had an op in 2015 to get fix as was bad and it's not fixed just is moderate but now my 12month/6months reviews are uncertain but menna least be having once a yr Echos I'm also on meds if gets worse would probably need an replacement.

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