update re life 3 months post pacemaker

[Dragonfish]

Hi, Thank you to everyone who reassured me about exercising and life post getting my pacemaker fitted. It was inserted 3 months ago and I have recently returned from a tent camping trip for nearly a month in France, where I resumed cycling and using a lightweight back pack. My 6 week check up showed things were working well ( 40% paced) and that I was ok to resume arm movements( but to take things gently as I would still be healing for the next 12 weeks or so. I now have a monitor in my bedroom but the staff said not to worry about taking it camping as it would pick up my readings when I got back. Still occasional discomfort at the PM site when I stretch or try out certain things, but generally pretty good now, even for lying on my side. Just wanted to share a positive update, for those new to having a PM.

[RufusScamp]

Glad to hear you are doing so well.

[Dragonfish in reply to RufusScamp]

Thanks. Steady progress, with a few minor setbacks…..It was great to be able to be active on my bike again.

[Piggy2]

That's great Dragonfish, I'm on day 4 now since having the box change for my battery was 10 year old. Took the dressings off yesterday at day 3 and it looks really good. Take your time, you'll know within yourself on your limits. I can't wait to try light exercises as my left arm is so weak but I know pushing myself too fast won't do any good long term. I woke the other morning with my arm.above my head and panicked but your unaware of how you sleep. Onwards and upwards.

[Dragonfish in reply to Piggy2]

Hi, you have had a decade of experience with yourPM so I’m sure you will be doing well with the box change. It is scary when you realise you have stretched too far but I assume the new box is fitted to your existing leads so less of an issue around dislodging them.

[Piggy2 in reply to Dragonfish]

Yeah luckily they are still ok to be left and working away fine. Can't wait to get out to the garden though but I know I can't do anything just now. I laugh at the thought of my next one as I'll be 59/60 lol

[Rosie1066]

I’ve had mine fitted just a year ago and I hardly know it’s there now.

[Dragonfish in reply to Rosie1066]

Hi Rosie, that is good to know. I’m still getting back into things, such as Pilates, and am a bit wary of certain movements or lifting heavy stuff, but it does feel as though life is almost back to normal.

[Piggy2 in reply to Rosie1066]

That's good, I've always felt my pacemaker but that's because the doc said I've not got enough cushioning there, I've wee boobies lol.

[zoecat21]

This is heart warming to hear. Nd gives me hope. I'm 12 weeks post icd fitting (twice, leads moved) but I'm still having issues and I'm just waiting to feel better. Hopefully it will be soon.

[Piggy2 in reply to zoecat21]

Everyone is different Hun, take your time and I'm sure all will work out. Was this your first one fitted that the leads have moved twice?.

[zoecat21 in reply to Piggy2]

Thank you for your reply. I originally had my icd fitted mid April. Nearly 3 weeks later I was feeling as poorly as just before my cardiac arrest I went back to a&e taken to resus where pacemaker clinic found it wasn't set right but what it was the wires had moved, but apparently it was awkward to get in. But also the day I was admitted the 2nd time I discovered I had covid (I wasn't that poorly with it tbh) so 4 weeks from the original insertion of the icd I had to go back in and have it refitted. And since then I've felt poorly and random things but I don't know who to ask if this is normal because I have been back to the hospital few times. I don't know if I'm over doing things or not enough. But I get tired out so easily, but is that a side effort not doing much for 14 weeks. Sorry I know this is long winded but I'm looking for answers to ease my mind.

[Piggy2 in reply to zoecat21]

If your anything like me, I was an active person always on the go and I had to get my pacemaker tested as it had moved out the wee pocket they made for it. It then started to rub against the leads at my collar bone area and very uncomfortable. I raised this with the cardiologist and they agreed once to get it repositioned and to be truthful, never made the blindest bit of difference as I was too active again and it moved. Forward to this one it's further over in my chest and feels firmer but yeah I'm only day 4 so it needs to settle. If your not happy or even feeling this could be effects of maybe long COVID go back to your GP maybe. I always had niggles so I'm hoping with this new one it's different. Exercises will be done but I'm not rushing into anything. Slow but steady and you will get there. Feel free to chat and hope your better soon

[zoecat21 in reply to Piggy2]

Thank you so much, because the pacemaker readings are okay but I've yet to actually see a cardiologist. But my icd wound area is still sore and sensitive and I've just had to have doxycycline for it. And I can't lie on my left hand side anymore as it digs into my shoulder or clavicle. I hope you heal quickly and get back to being active. And sorry yes I was active before this and my job was super physical.

[Dragonfish in reply to zoecat21]

Wow you have been through the mill a bit with your experience. I hope things settle down now for you and your body has a chance to heal. It’s effectively as though you have had it done twice,so that is going to take longer to recover. Good luck going forward.

[Bingo88]

So pleased to hear everything is going well for you now. Brian

[Dragonfish in reply to Bingo88]

Hi Brian

Thanks. I’m hoping things continue to progress. It is easy to get out of good habits such as around exercising, when you have been restricted with movement and I have suffered from backache/ neck ache, but feel like this is slowly getting easier. Trying to resume regular activity again!

[Bruce67]

That's good progress. I am about 9 weeks since my ICD went in and only now starting to feel I am getting somewhere!

[Dragonfish in reply to Bruce67]

Hi Bruce, hope things start to improve for you. I think an ICD is a bit more major than my PM but hopefully you will start to feel more like your normal self.