shocks

Has anyone felt weird shock like feeling to your heart? I woke up last night and covered in sweat and felt a shock to the lower part of my heart and a heavy beat and it did this like 3-4 times in a row. I was sitting here a little while ago and it did it again and does not feel right, its weird. Has anyone had this before? I just got my PM 3 days ago so its still new to me.

7 Comments

ICD?

by jvaltos - 2010-02-13 02:02:29

The most important thing here is whether or not you have an ICD.

IF you have an ICD-Call the implanting physician NOW. You need to make sure that you are not having inappropriate shocks.

No ICD-then it is possible that you have a pacemaker lead too close to your diaphragm or the lead may have partially dislodged (mirco-dislodgement.)

PM me if you have other questions.

Hi

by tsimbrow - 2010-02-13 08:02:18

Ok, As a nurse, I truly believe that you need to get this checked out ASAP. This does not sound normal and if it is concerning you, you cannot wait until Monday. You are fresh post op and you have symptoms which are concerning not only to you, but to me as well. Since this is the weekend, the only option is the ER and I strongly recommend that. Please go and get this checked out.
Taryn

??

by wenditt - 2010-02-13 09:02:12

Are you feeling shocks or harder heart beats that are making you jump a little bit? I never feel shocks like static shocks when you rub your feet on a carpet too long, but I get PVC's. They are what feels like harder beats in the lower part of my heart. They can startle me and make me jump a bit.

Did you have a person from the PM company come and hook you up to the pacemaker machine before you were discharged? They would have tested the PM to make sure it was working.

I had my guy hit a button to make me pace so I would know what it felt like and it was never a shock. I wonder if you are extremely sensitive to the pacing or your "voltage" is too high.

Wondering too, if your nerves in that area are really irritated and could be aggrivated.

I would call the doctor. They can check it out and tell you for sure. Write down the time when it is happening so when you go in you have more info.

I too, would send a message to ElectricFrank. He might know,

Good luck

thanks

by paulb - 2010-02-13 09:02:17

thank you, i will call my cardio on monday and ask. The guy from Medtronic came into the hospital before i was released and checked it out on thrusday and everything was fine he said. Its not just a heavy beat the beat follows the shock feeling, its really weird and an uneasy feeling. Thats cool that they paced u so u could c what it was like I'll ask my cardio about that wednesday when i go in for my 1 week check and bandages.

hi

by pacergirl - 2010-02-13 10:02:38

I wouldn't wait for Monday. If your devise is shocking you then you shouldn't wait. If I were your Dr. I would want to know. I'm sure he would like to make the decision about what you should do. I'm sure he has an answering service and that the staff can reach him and get you some information.

Hi,

by Gellia2 - 2010-02-13 11:02:01

What you could be feeling also could be the impedance check. It's usually 3 to 4 hard beats because the voltage is higher on these. Many times it's set for 1a.m. so as not to disturb your day.

Mine was checking itself every three hours and if I had something in my hand, it would fling it out of it. My arm jumped that much. I got to be a clock watcher, it was THAT disconcerting.

My EP fixed it so it would occur at 1.m. only and I no longer have the problem unless I'm awake at that hour.

You may want to ask your EP about it and see if it can be changed to when you are deeper asleep, if that's the problem.

Good luck!
Best to you,
Gellia

ICD?

by ElectricFrank - 2010-02-14 01:02:21

Even worse than inappropriate shocks from an ICD would be appropriate shocks. This would indicate your heart was entering conditions that required intervention.

If it isn't an ICD then the problem may just be the settings. If the pacer detects a lead problem it will likely change to unipolar pacing mode which can cause shock or muscle twitch sensations.

So as previously suggested:
If it is an ICD go to ER

If it is a pacemaker you can wait til Monday if the symptoms don't get worse.

frank

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