Pacemakers and shooting my bow HELP

[scarecrow]

Just had pacemaker installed last week and have very limited use of left arm for now. (dr. orders) I will not chance it for this deer season but has anyone experienced this? When will I be able to safely pull my 55-60# bows without worrying about pulling the pacemaker leads loose?

[frank bullitt]

Don't know, hope and pray i never!  But your concern says as a tough Texan, it will be soon!
I pray you will!

Good shootin to ya,   soon!

[Hot Hap]

I think that's a question for your Dr. Good luck-Hap

[Sharp Stick]

Yea, I have a defibrillator implanted.  I forgot how long I had to wait, it's up to your doctor.  One thing I can tell you though, is it will have no effect on your shooting in the future.  In fact, in time you will almost forget it's there.  My dr. said he has implanted them in some Olympic hopefuls in the past, with no ill effects.  Good luck.

[Friend]

Will be having mine replaced in approximately a year and a half. The wait before shooting is not long, yet your Dr must answer...for it may also prove valuable for him to be aware of your physical activity.

[Zradix]

Originally posted by Friend:
Will be having mine replaced in approximately a year and a half. The wait before shooting is not long, yet your Dr must answer...for it may also prove valuable for him to be aware of your physical activity.

x2..especially the last part.

[billy shipp]

Brad,

I got a Pacemaker Feb 15th. Dr told me not to lift anything over 5 pounds and not to lift my left arm any higher than my shoulder for 5 weeks. Doing either wasn't a problem since I was so sore and swollen where the pacemaker was implanted.
I think I started shooting a mid 40's weight bow around 6 weeks after the procedure. I was back to shooting my normal weight bows in no time.
Take it easy, don't rush it, follow Drs orders. and you'll be good to go before you know it.
Billy

[M60gunner]

My brother-law was told the same thing as Billy Shipp. In fact if they had replaced leads he was told he could not even lift his arm for a week. He had his replaced.

[Ric O'Shay]

Interesting information. I've been wearing a monitor for the last week. Then I'm going in for some tests on Monday. This may well be in my future. Thanks for posting this up.
Danny

[2wfstlhunting]

All good advise.  Also tell the Doc what you are going to engage in AFTER YOU HAVE LET IT HEAL IN which includes the shoulder and the lead tips in the heart. This way he can decide if muscle electricity generated by your movement and muscle tension will in anyway interfere with the settings of the pacemaker.  If so, it will be adjusted accordingly.  You will be fine and hunting again.

[Jim Wright]

I truly am not trying to be a smart-ass but it never ceases to amaze me how many health-related questions are posted on traditional archery sites.

[Benjy]

I have a pacemaker. Just got it in April. I have had zero problems when I started back shooting after the Doc released me.

[Pete McMiller]

Jim,  First, I am not taking you to task.  

I doubt it's an anomoly.  Just the nature of traditional archery I think that many of us are old-er.  We would therefore have many similar questions, concerns, ailments as we get on in years.  No shame in that, it is what it is.  I myself have had several, and if I had questions that I thought this group could help, wouldn't hesitate to ask.  

Put the answers to these types of questions in your memory banks and maybe in your retirement you can refer to them for wisdom.

[The Night Stalker]

Single lead or double, you do not want to dislodge the lead from wear it was placed. It will settle into and inbed into the heart fibers.  You can dislodge it and change the amperage of its capture. You are usually in a arm sling for a while. Do not take a chance on dislodging  the lead. You can really screw things up.

[Jim Wright]

Pete, I soon will be 69 years old and have been retired for a number of years. Go back and look at the original post, what value could advice from someone with a pacemaker without knowing anything about their age, general health, heart attack history, etc.. possibly be? And how could anyone on this site possibly tell Scarecrow when he will safely be able to shoot his bow after a pacemaker installation? Perhaps I am easily amazed but these questions obviously should be directed at the Doctor who performed the procedure and is providing the continuing care.

[shadman]

I was never in a sling and was back shooting in a month. You won't even know it's there after a month or so.

[Jim Wright]

Pete, I soon will be 69 years old and have been retired for a number of years. Go back and look at the original post, what value could advice from someone with a pacemaker without knowing anything about their age, general health, heart attack history, etc.. possibly be? And how could anyone on this site possibly tell Scarecrow when he will safely be able to shoot his bow after a pacemaker installation? Perhaps I am easily amazed but these questions obviously should be directed at the Doctor who performed the procedure and is providing the continuing care.

[Pete McMiller]

PM sent Jim.

[2wfstlhunting]

Jim,
Your point is well taken.  It is principally because the population of archers is getting up there, and this is what older people do: they sit around and talk about their health and their pills and their doctors.  Just part of the game.

Steve
( I know this because I live this life: I am a cardiologist)

[Jim Wright]

Steve you are right and I resemble older people myself. I was simply being more of a grouch than usual, if I had a pacemaker put in I would want some affirmation that it will go well. And Pete, thanks again for the courteous, thoughtful PM.  Jim