Chest pain with pacemaker

@elizadolittle has anyone noticed if your left shoulder has begun to shrink? I've noticed that the bra strap is looser than in the past. I've had to shorten the strap to keep it from falling down.
This wouldn't be a concern for the opposite sex. It's just annoying. I've had mine since 2020.

@dj61 I received my pacemaker just a little over a year ago. I haven't had any issues until now. I just think I over did myself. Feeling much better this morning. 😊

I received my pacemaker in September, 2025. I recently tried carrying heavy groceries to assist my daughter. That was a mistake. I had to take 3 sick days from work. It’s only now after about 3 weeks of recovery that I feel stronger. It looks like lifting heavy things will not ever be possible with a pacemaker.

@mauricepower
You have to learn to do some things differently. If left-handed, you have to use your right hand more. I had to learn to change the way I carry my purse for instance. Best of luck--and thanks for sharing.

I have not found many things that I had to do differently with an ICD. Sleeping on my stomach is no longer comfortable. Holding a baby is cumbersome unless you normally hold one on the right side (glad grandson is 16, is beyond that stage), bra straps are often annoying, .... can't think of anything else that has changed since I became a bionic woman. @mauricepower, yes, lifting heavy items if you are not used to it can be an issue. I work out at the gym and have SLOWLY worked my way back to the weights I used before Buddy (my ICD) became a part of my life.

@walkinggirl I found an online club for people with pacemakers, etc. Through that I found a company that made special pads you can attach to a bra. It was $25.00 US. It was supposed to be made of special material! I'm sure you could make one yourself with very silky cloth, a bit of padding and velcro for the straps to hold it in place. At the time, it was worth it for the increased comfort from the bra strap.
I don't work out at a gym. I just got myself a 7 lb. Pomeranian pup that I'm constantly lifting. She only fit one of my criteria for adopting a dog. She needed a home and the add said she would be perfect for a "senior." That's all I needed to enquire about her. I'd been rejected by a rescue organization. They didn't say it was due to my age. But their actions told it all. Another person, changed his mind 3 times about adopting out his dog to me. Anyway,
I have Miss Molly and I'm not feeling depressed--and I'm not a person given to depression. So far, I can hold her with my left arm.
Have a great day. We're in the midst of an atmospheric river of rain.

@lindat2025 I've had my pacemaker for nearly 7 years, have no problems at all with it. But when I turn over to my right side in bed it seems the pacemaker shifts towards my left shoulder and I can feel its edge against the tissue there. I've found it helpful to have a soft pillow under my left arm that raises the arm to the level of the rest of me when lay on my right side. It's comfortable and that way I don't think the pacemaker moves much if at all. Hope that helps.

@elizadolittle i have a new walking companion--sort of! Little Molly is a Pomeranian!. She's 6 months old and doesn't fit my criteria for adopting a dog. I found the perfect dog. He was a rescue, non-shedding, 4 years old and he liked me. His owner was giving him up because he was afraid his son would hurt him. The owner changed his mind 3 times! Then a couple of rescue organizations refused to let me adopt due to my age. They don't say that in so many words. "Sleeping beauty" needs a home and she would be great for a senior. I bit.

Little Molly is the funniest little dog I've ever had. She makes me laugh and everyone I tell that she doesn't fit my criteria! She just graduated from Beginner Puppy training at PetSmart last Sunday.

I think she had done something to my favourite landline phone. I discovered egg shells in one of her beds. Little Molly is faster than a cat in jumping up on things. She's ruined my crochet hook for the afghan I'm making for my Great Grandchildren!

We're still pottie training. She is very shy around other dogs. I'm taking her to the Small Dog Park close by.

Needless to say, it's no longer quiet in the house and I something to share besides aches and pains with friends. Research shows seniors spend less time in the hospital and live longer. So why do rescue organizations discriminate against seniors when they are looking for homes for needy pets?

@elizadolittle My previous email needs some edits. I hope you get the message. As one person put it, "Dogs don't live forever. Seniors have family. They need a home."
I think there should be a law that states rescue organizations cannot discriminate due to age.

I have no problem with them asking if there is someone willing to take the pet, if you no longer are able to look after the pet. My granddaughter had already offered before I went looking for a pet.

There are organizations that will take elder pets if someone cannot look after the pet.

@elizadolittle
Dogs are great friends. I lost my Cockapoo of 13 years two months ago to a auto immune disease. He was also a registered PTSD dog for me but he was my best friend after my wife.

He had such a personality and totally Intune with my wife and I. My wife just has surgery and I will have surgery in June. So contemplating getting another best friend after that. But right now another dog would just bring the memory of my dog I loved as child.