ILR implantation recovery

[Scotsman53]

I'm getting an ILR later this week. I know it's no big deal, don't bother to reassure me, I don't need it.

Except for just one point. I was told about this procedure and the pacemaker one at the same time, now I can't remember which one means being unable to raise your arm for a time. Is this the case with the ILR?

It's an issue (though not a major one) because I tend to dress very casually and most of my clothes go on overhead so I'll need to do some shopping if I can't wear my T shirts and jumpers.

Come to think of it, some guidance on what sort of thing to wear on the day would be good too. Thanks in advance.

[Littleminx81]

Hi,After my ILR, it was a little sore but you can carry on as normal. It will be after your pacemaker that you are unable to raise your arms or lift anything heavy for a few weeks.

[Chinkoflight]

Hi, the ILR procedure isn't too invasive, a small 1 cm nick, probably with a butterfly closure dressing.I found I could still wear t shirts including after my ICD implant which is chunky. The trick is to put your left arm in first without raising the arm. Your right arm is still mobile and can pull the shirt over your head and then put your right arm in. Worked okay for me.

Not sure where you are in the UK but I suspect for the most part my ILR wasn't monitored after a first Afib/event was detected. I think thousands of these devices have been implanted very quickly by nurse practitioners since the change in NICE guidance without an adequate increase in EP monitoring resources. This is a completely personal view and I'm sure monitoring varies from Trust to Trust.

I think you should continue to be very aware of your health etc, not be afraid to log every suspicious event you feel and then in the absence of any contact from the EP team/technician not to be afraid to contact them after you have clicked an event that you have concern about. Keep a log of the date and time you use your mobile handheld event marker.

[Eddie64 in reply to Chinkoflight]

I have an ilr fitted,it’s not picked anything up as yet.My problem is I keep forgetting I’ve got it fitted,and so everytime I have an event,I bloody forget to press it till after then I think it’s to late lol

[Laurap18]

I got an IRL fitted last Wednesday and I have always been able to lift my arms. It's a little bit sore just when I touch it. The doctor told me to avoid chest weight exercises for one week, but apart from that I can do everything as normal.