Pacemaker/Defibulator/CRT-D

[Rivetset]

Hello All,
I have been a registered user for a while but have never posted. I generally can find answers to most questions just by searching the forum. I own a few different types pistols and long guns, and have my concealed carry, and religiously carry. It isn't any help if left behind. At any rate, I have just received a Pacemaker/Defibulator, which was placed in my left shoulder. Still pretty sore, I might add after five days. Problem is, I am wondering what my future is going to be regarding firing both long guns and pistols of higher caliber. You see, the consideration of firearms wasn't part of the decision when installing the CRT-D. You see, I am left handed. Now, I know I am not the first person with a pacemaker who likes to punch paper, so I am wondering what issues those of you who have already been there can tell me what to expect. Any problems shooting right handed after years of using the wrong hand?

 

[bgrafsr]

I have had a pacemaker for about a year and a half now. I asked the Dr. if he could place it on my right side as I'm a left handed shooter. He said that it was too risky due to some rather sharp turns of the blood vessels and there was a possibilty of poking a hole through one when implanting the wires. He then told me to go ahead and shoot what I wanted as it would not affect the device.

I shoot 12 gauge shotgun in trap and sporting clays and a single shot rifle in .40-65 Winchester with no ill effects at all. I also shoot .30-06, .308 Win. .223 Rem., & plenty of handguns too.

 

[Florida Guy]

I believe a pacemaker alone is smaller than one with a defibrillator.
I had a pacemaker/defibrillator implanted way back in 1994. Back then, it was placed in the abdominal area (they were larger in size then), not in the chest where they place them today. Mine had to have the leads run all the way up to the heart, where the new implants don't need these long runs.
Addressing your shooting concerns, maybe you could place a towel on the butt of the rifle to absorb the impact?
If I were you, I would speak with the doctor or surgeon about your concerns.
Before your operation, did you consider having an ablation done? Some people are not candidates for ablations, but if they are, it eliminates the need for a device.
I had my device removed in 1998 when the batteries were running low, and I had a choice of getting a new AICD or having an ablation. I chose ablation, eliminating the need for a device. 6 months after the ablation, my device was removed.
I've now had 4 ablations over the past 15 years.
I know the feeling (fear) of will my defibrillator fire. Luckily for me, in the 4 years I had mine, it never needed to fire.
Good luck with your new device.

 

[PA Reb]

First of all, welcome to the forum!

I would definitely advise you to consult your cardiologist BEFORE firing any weapon held against your shoulder or in your hand. Working where I work has shown me to never give advise on a topic like that for fear of something happening. The doctor knows all the ins and outs of the device as well as the manufacturer's suggestions. Best of luck and I hope it all works out for you.

 

[Bob R]

When my wife needed a pacemaker, the doc was kind enough to place it on the right side, she shoots lefthanded. If a doc told me he couldn't place the pacer on the right side, I think I would be looking for another opinion. But hey, that is just me.

bob

 

[V-35]

I have had a pacemaker for about a year and a half now. I asked the Dr. if he could place it on my right side as I'm a left handed shooter. He said that it was too risky due to some rather sharp turns of the blood vessels and there was a possibilty of poking a hole through one when implanting the wires. He then told me to go ahead and shoot what I wanted as it would not affect the device.

I shoot 12 gauge shotgun in trap and sporting clays and a single shot rifle in .40-65 Winchester with no ill effects at all. I also shoot .30-06, .308 Win. .223 Rem., & plenty of handguns too.

Just courious, is your device in your shoulder or abdomen and is it smaller then the CRT-D?

I also think that PA Reb's advice is sound.


Art

 

[bgrafsr]

Just courious, is your device in your shoulder or abdomen and is it smaller then the CRT-D?
Art

It is in my shoulder area. And as far as getting another Dr. because the one I have did not want to put it on my right side? That's your opinion, but I trust my Drs. opinion more than I do yours.(Just sayin') Besides which, he is a shooter too.

 

[moe l.]

My wife has the pacemaker/defib. and it could only be placed on her left side due to where they needed to place the connections. In any event, you should not use a long gun/shotgun as it may jar one or more your contacts loose or worse - break the computer. Handguns shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Rivetset]

Thanks for all of your thoughts/ideas. I did have an ablation along with the insertation. I agree that giving advise is sometimes unwise, and I would absolutely talk with my Doctor before jumping off that cliff. I was just looking for others experiences to have more information to work with. By the way, the insertation is exactly where you would see the butt of a rifle stock sitting, so I am highly concerned at this point.

 

[raveneap]

Several years ago I had an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrilator) implanted. I'm left handed and it was implanted in my left upper chest. Had a lengthy discussion with the cardio surgeon who performed the operation and he told me that I could fire any handguns I wanted but NO long guns from the left shoulder. Period. I even asked him about my SW MP15-22 but he said no.

So, I learned to shoot long guns right handed. Awkward at first but doable. Considering the need for the ICD I had to agree that it outweighed the comfort of shooting left handed. I'll be 75 in July so guess even old dogs can learn some new tricks.

 

[scooter123]

I won't address the medical aspects of your situation, that is something you need to discuss with your doctor. What I can tell you is that learning to shoot with your non dominant side is actually a lot easier than you may believe. The greatest hurdle you face is in your head, and I'm not referring to how your brain is wired. What I am referring to is your belief that it's difficult to learn how to shoot using your "weak" side. Anyone who's had a "broken wing" can tell you the same thing I'm telling you right now, it's actually rather easy to "change hands" when you don't have a choice. The toughest part is that it will feel a bit strange when you start but after a few weeks it will become rather normal.

BTW, I shoot both rifle and handgun on either side quite frequently and oddly enough most times it feels more "natural" for me to shoot off my left shoulder with a rifle in spite of being right handed. Probably because shortly after I got my first pellet rifle I broke my right arm falling out of a tree and spent half the summer shooting lefty. Also had to learn to write left handed because Mom was a school teacher and didn't feel a busted arm was any excuse for not doing my homework or not shooting my new pellet rifle.

 

[setxn]

Rivetset, My M.I.L. had a lead pull out of where it was implanted. By the time they got the machine turned off at the E.R. she had been zapped 24 times and was dazed ,confused and mad as a hornet. The lead coming out was due to physical activity before 100% healing, so I don't know if rifle recoil would be a danger even after healing up correctly. I'm sure the device is very sturdy and I don't know if you could even find data on leads coming out,but it does happen. On the plus side I have seen these little bug zappers work several times and are lifesavers. Good luck and good shooting.