After reading the guidance and dealing with the obligatory no drive for a week scenario I have realised that I am a rubbish back seat passenger! My husband would say there is nothing new there!
Now I am back driving there is no problem as the seat belt does not affect the pacemaker shoulder. However, when we go out together my husband and I share the driving. The guidance is to avoid the seat belt over the pacemaker for at least 8 weeks and preferably permanently. I don’t want to sit on the back like the queen but am unable to find a legal gadget to adjust the belt. Halfords store could only point me to child seat adjusters and the mobility/ support shop in the hospital had a look and couldn’t find anything specific.
What experiences have other people with pacemakers had?
Can you recommend a product? Or is it just a fancy pad that I have seen all over Etsy, EBay and Amazon?
My husband doesn’t want a back seat driver with travel sickness and I don’t want to be his chauffeur!
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Sorry if I have missed a previous post on this subject .
My OH got an exemption from wearing a seat belt, issued by the Dr. Not an ideal solution but at the time, she had 2 tubes, suprapubic catheter and a peg fitted so wearing a seat belt was extremely uncomfortable for her.As for devices etc, I'm sure someone on here will have an answer
It is quite interesting. I had mine fitted year 2000 and at that time there was no restrictions regarding driving. The pacemaker is fitted on the left side below the left collar bone and so the seat belt should not impact. That applies to right sided steering wheel.
I’m sorry I don’t think I explained myself very well. The written guidance I was given was advisory. To avoid the passenger side seat belt for 8 weeks but preferably permanently. I have no problems driving as you said the seat belt does not interfere. However, when my husband drives and I am a passenger I do not want to sit in the back behind him and on longer journeys I have felt travel sick in the back of the car. I am looking for a legal gadget that allows the front passenger seat belt to sit slightly differently. Or I will just buy a pad that slides over the belt to cushion the pacemaker site after the 8 weeks. Thank you for your response.
Nothing was said to me about seatbelts. In fact I wore one home after the op, (as a passenger), with no problems, so can't help you I'm afraid. I appreciate your problem - I can't sit in the back either.
I had an ICD fitted in October other than not being able to drive for a while nothing was said about seat belts at all. ICDs are generally bigger than pacemakers, but I've had no issues being a passenger or using a seat belt. If you are worried about rubbing etc, I'd suggest a seat belt pad xx
Hi AJ. I have an ICD like Cherrelleford, and would give the same info. Use a small towel or flannel for the first 8 weeks, and see if you can find a permanent seat belt pad. Once the wound has healed, you may find you no longer need it. The seat belt shouldn't do any harm pressing on the PM in the normal way xx
I have found the seat belt caused tenderness. I had my pacemaker fitted in June 2021. Initially I put a small towel there and now I. Bought the Etsy pad which helps. Also after 6,/7 months I am not do tender. If you are on Facebook I would recommend the group for women with pacemaker, very informative. Good luck.
I had an ICD fitted in 2016 and as a previous poster said that's slightly larger than a pacemaker. I live in Southern Spain and the ICD was fitted here so there was a problem with the seatbelt straight away. We are advised to not drive for 6 weeks (I lasted 4) and I simply bought a pair of seatbelt pads and have never had a problem. I have renewed the pads a couple of times as they tend to get thin with use.
I only had to stop driving for a week and I believe that was in case you had to do an emergency stop, otherwise I’t was to avoid the wound site.After all you can lie on the pacemaker side without any problems.
When I had my pm fitted, I insisted on driving, which my hubby didn’t have a problem with however as I am quite short I find that I always have a problem with the seatbelt and while the scar area was still sore I would put a beanbag over my shoulder (the type that you heat up) it sat there ideally and prevented the seat belt from rubbing 😊
No one said anything about seat belts to me and I went home after the op in the passenger seat. Still quite tender so I held the belt slightly away from my chest during the first few days. One month later there is no tenderness and it’s no problem to sit on the passenger side.
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