does the seatbelt

[Yaps]

for any drivers , after open heart,even after a long time (over a year)stll bother any of you?Mine does..either Im hyper sensitive or its just one of those little? things that we adjust to?Ive been putting mine under my arm and encircling waist when it gets to be too much for me.
It tends to just rub me the wrong way..lol pun intended....anyone else? Yaps

 

[tommy]

I never had a bad experience wearing the seat belt, but reaching behind me for it was tricky in the early months.

 

[M&M]

Hi Yaps, In response to your question - does my seat belt bother me.. Yes, it bothered me before my surgery due to inplant of ICD - and it has always bothered me since then. But, even if I didn't have an ICD inplant - I think it would bother me. Other ICD patients said they put a 'wide' piece of cloth around the belt - it helps prevent it from 'rubbing'. I have not tried that - I just pull it down snap it in and thentuck it under my arm. I do think they make things out there to prevent the rubbing. Perhaps someone else has more of the details.

Best Wishes
Marilyn

 

[Georgia]

Seatbelts don't bother me. But my mom uses a sheepskin sleeve that she got at an autoparts store because it bothers her. And I'll admit that it feels quite comfortable to me when I drive her car.

The seatbelts will NOT work if they're not positioned correctly - screws up the sensor mechanisms. So it's vital that you get something on it to allow it to be correctly positioned.

 

[danielgilboa]

The seatbelt bothered me until about 3 months post. Now (just for the past 3-4 weeks) it's OK. When it bothered me I would throw the diagonal strap behind my back so I actualy was using only the hip strap.

 

[kevin21]

Most autoparts stores have the sleeves you can put over the strap.

Also, performance car parts stores have them that look a little more sleek (if image is a big thing for you!)

My stupid seatbelts in my GMC sierra mess up my shirts!! It frays the fabric and makes a diagonal stripe of messed up material down my silk and other shirts!! I got one for that reason so the confort is secondary....

Oh, and after my surgery at age 10 I couldn't wear a collered shirt to save my life. The buttons and stuff down the middle and neck drove me NUTS!!

My dad made fun of me because I would pull the collar out and over my chin because it bugged my neck. I just started being able to stand it a few years ago. Great, now with another surgery coming I might be back to t-shirts!!

 

[Harpoon]

I've got a "sensitive" area around my right side where they had gone in a few times for internal bleeding problems. There's still a marked discoloration around where the drainage tubes were that goes from a little above my waist up below my arm and from my right chest back around to my spine. It's a pretty big area and it's got a kind of numb/tingly sensation when you touch it. Beyond that, driving or riding in a car now is fine for me.

I was REALY sore and stiff for the first few weeks after I started driving again, about 10 weeks post-op... Remember, I was in the hospital for 9 weeks "post-op"....


"The seatbelts will NOT work if they're not positioned correctly - screws up the sensor mechanisms."

Most cars don't have such elaborate sensor systems incorporated in with the seatbelts, however if the seatbelt is fitted improperly, it CAN cause a lot of damage during a crash, mostly internal injuries around your lower abdomen. Wearing the shoulder belt under and armpit instead of across your chest like it should be may also lead to serious head and or neck injuries, maybe even allowing your head to strike the steering wheel or fly through the windshield...

 

[medtronic of borg]

seat belts

seat belts

I put it under my arm. Since my lawer told me by law since I have a medical reason I could do that. Then again I have never been pulled over so I don't care alot. I do wear it though. I was an EMT before becomeing an RN. Been there seen it don't want to become it! But you know for some reason I have never thought about the sheep skin sleeve. I will just make one.
Med

 

[Harpoon]

Medtronic:

By law? As I understand it (granted, I'm not a lawyer but I do have quite a number of cop friends including a police chief and two judge friends) the only way you could get out of a seatbelt infraction for wearing it improperly or not at all, is if you have a signed doctor's note you can present to the ticketing officer or the court OR you have a notation on your drivers license to that effect...

 

[ALCapshaw2]

The Wool Sleeve sounds like a good idea.

Another simple solution would be a Small Pillow that you simple put under the strap.

I vote for keeping the diagonal strap in it's PROPER position. I cringe at the thought of being in an accident with it under the arm.

'AL'

 

[Gail in Ca]

The seat belt used to bother me, too, until I had my wires removed.
Now, it is just fine, and doesn't bother me.
Gail