Suitable exercising

[Piggy2]

I've a pace maker and it feels protruding at most of the times when I move my left arm up towards my head. This gives me a horrible feeling inside physically and mentally. I need to loose weight and go out on the bike or short runs (yesterday 12 mile jog/walk). It took me 4hours and today I'm feeling it and not in a good way. Can anyone post me advice x

[bantam12]

My pacemaker also sticks out but so did my husbands so I think thats normal, arm movements are restricted because it's in the way, I'm very thin and have no extra padding so I doubt you losing weight will alter the sensation of it being there, I think we just have to live with it and I'm ok with that because I'm so much better with it than without.

[Piggy2 in reply to bantam12]

I got told by the doctor, since I've no big boobs the paddings less and yeah I agree, I wouldn't be here today without the pacemaker. I need to loose weight though as I'm over weight but I'm struggling due to the weakness on left side

[Icenae in reply to Piggy2]

Hi Piggy. I had my 3rd pacemaker last month and 2 new wires. Fortunately I have big boobs and my pacemaker not visible.

I have learned that you do need to not overdo the left arm use or the pacemaker site can get a bit sore. Its like having a bullet in there.

Also too much high reaching could pull your wires a bit.

I was also advised not to keep bending over too much for the same reason. I used to load all the washing with my left arm and often felt sore after. So now i use A 'helping hand' and my right more.

But we have to be thankful for all we gain from our pacemakers.

However if it is very sore ever you need to consult your doc as infections can develop.

I find Tai Chi exercises very good. Loads on you tube. But again modify for your comfort.

Best wishes.

[Piggy2 in reply to Icenae]

I got adiós slimming pills but never took them as that's another tablet that I'm not keen on and feel stuck as I need to burn the fat in certain areas

[Piggy2]

Thanks for replying bit that's a bit over my head all the numbers sorry

[Piggy2]

The beats per minutes part. My pace maker is set at 60bpm but feel my heart's about out my chest when jogging or cycling.

[Icenae in reply to Piggy2]

Piggy with your history I dont know that its good for you to do exercise that is putting that much strain on your heart. Just walking is fine. Also perhaps try the Tai Chi. Dont put yourself under too much pressure. You have a lot to cope with. Your meds may also make it harder for you. But talk to your doc about it.

[Icenae]

To be honest my heart does its own cardio work while I am sitting often so if you have af you probably need more just strength and flexibility workouts. Not cardio. 😊

[Piggy2 in reply to Icenae]

I'm 12stone 2 and it's showing around my face neck and stomach and the doctor says I need to come down to about 9stone 5ish as my BMI is 32 which is obese. Definitely not good for my heart. I can't jog as far as I used too and cycling I'm struggling a bit now too. I feel in a rut not being able to use gym gear without ripping the pectoral muscle that takes time to heal.

[Icenae in reply to Piggy2]

Sadly I find its very difficult to Lose weight with a heart condition. You are a bit heavy but not that bad. Much the same as me. Just go slowly at it. My main aim is to not gain any more weight too.

Do you retain fluid due to your Condition do you take diuretics I find they help a bit

My sister in law was a practice nurse and is advising me re healthy eating. She recommends the low fat low G I diet And not eating after 6 pm Lots of salad and vegetables but not potatoes or bread

My doc offered me the orlisat tablets but all they do is make you eliminate oil, so not keen on them

Also Keep a food diary, write down everything you eat and drink .

[Piggy2 in reply to Icenae]

I eat healthy, I don't smoke, only sometimes I have 1or2 glasses of wine not every day or week only sometimes. I don't have a sweet tooth so stay clear of sugary sweets and crisps. I do have the depo injection for contraception and it's contributing to weight gain I'm told. I eat salad lots just can't do the vigorous exercise to shift the fat. What's diuretics?

[Icenae in reply to Piggy2]

Diuretics also known as water tablets make you wee more. Sometimes if the heart isnt 100% you might not be getting rid of fluid which can contribute to weight gain.

[Piggy2 in reply to Icenae]

Its funny your saying that as my partner often comments on how little I'm in the toilet, never even thought on that thanks I can ask my doctor about them then

[HenryTudor]

Why feel you have to jog?? Stick to walking and vary your pace. I’ve never seen anyone jogging or running who looks to be enjoying it.

Warm yourself up by walking slowly, up the pace for most of the walk, and then slow down again at the end.

You can also gradually build up your distance and vary your routine, depending on how your body feels, with two short or one long walk. And listen to music😃

[Piggy2]

Jogging not fast but at a pace I can actually makes me feel good and definitely with music but just of lately I'm not as good at it. I walk briskly with my dog daily but I'm still no difference. I weigh myself weekly then I get worked upto much as no shift. Never ending battle is all I see

[HenryTudor in reply to Piggy2]

That’s hard. I’ve been there. My HA and T2 diabetes diagnosis five months ago concentrated my mind. A low carb diet, no snacks or biscuits in the house and plenty of walking has worked for me.

[Thanksnhs]

Hi I have an icd and because I am very thin it really sticks out, looks like a third boob lol not a good look in beach wear! it does move a lot as well if I lie on my left side it actually moves into my armpit and can be quite painful, it also caused a frozen shoulder due to lack of mobility, but it has fired and saved my life so all those things are a small price to pay for the reasurence it offers, that seems a lot of exercise no wonder you are tired, mabe once things get a bit better your refer you to a gym to get a personal excersise routine set up, tc char

[Piggy2 in reply to Thanksnhs]

I've always been active until 2013 when my heart was in failure. Born with this heart complex I plodded on till my heart went to 30/35 BPM hence the pace maker set to 60bpm. I had to have it re sited in 2015 as I was too active and it moved upto my collar bone. The doctors told me it's me that's managed so long with this condition without help due to my activiness. So I don't want to slow down incase my health drops again. Do you think I'm doing more damage than good ? I just need to shift the weight

[Thanksnhs in reply to Piggy2]

Hi I don't really do much exercise just a gentle walk, more during lock down than I had ever done, no one from my nurses, gp or cardiologist have ever mentioned excersise to me and being on the lazy side I have never really done much in my whole life, and being thin all my life I am 62 I never needed it to lose weight, its great you have managed your condition without much intervention from the medics, but it might be worth asking them now about something tailor made which could include a dietitian to help with overall weight loss tc char

[Piggy2 in reply to Thanksnhs]

I will thankyou for your time to chat

[Thanksnhs in reply to Piggy2]

No probs I am stuck in hospital for now with not a lot going on at the moment char

[Piggy2 in reply to Thanksnhs]

Sorry to hear this,hope your ok and getting better.

[Thanksnhs in reply to Piggy2]

Thanks I am waiting on a transplant, just hoping it won't be too long but who knows, just have to take one day at a time, it will be great to actually feel normal once it's all over, I just wish I new when char

[Piggy2 in reply to Thanksnhs]

I apologize I never read your profile before replying. Fingers crossed it's not too long for you now x

[Thanksnhs in reply to Piggy2]

It's fine, I don't read all the profiles myself, I hope you manage to get your exercise sorted, you must be quite fit to manage all that, char

[winnabago]

Wishing the very best for you.