Sharp pain during PM checkup

Hello folks
I went for my routine pacing checkup and during the visit, the technician did the usual, slow the heart rate down, speed it up, etc etc. I was perfectly fine until he speeded the heart rate up, I suddenly felt a sharp pain running down both arms from my chest. I didn't say anything (stupidly) as I didn't think too much of it, although it was quite a shock (excuse the pun). I haven't felt it since but I had a lot of pain around the area the generator is situated, but I think that is due to the poking and prodding trying to find the thing as it's buried so deep.
Can anyone shed any light as to why I felt this 'jolt' down both my arms please, as I'm considering phoning the technicians to ask them if I should be worried or not? Many thanks for taking the time to read this, and for any suggestions you can make.
Mandy

3 Comments

Mandy

by LS - 2011-02-03 08:02:46

If you are "considering phoning the technicians", do it!
Shooting pains down your arms are nothing to mess with.
Liz

Call Now!

by jhull413 - 2011-02-03 12:02:40

For goodness sake call now. It might be nothing, but pain shooting down both arms from you chest is something you shouldn't ignore.

Possible cause

by ElectricFrank - 2011-02-04 02:02:21

While it isn't commonly done, they could have switched the pacemaker to unipolar mode during some part of the test. This causes the pacing current to return from the heart through body tissue and if a nerve is part of that pathway....ouch.

A single one time jolt down your arms isn't in the same category at all with the pain of a heart attack.

Having said that there is no reason not to call them if you would feel better.

frank

You know you're wired when...

You take technology to heart.

Member Quotes

I'm 35 and got my pacemaker a little over a year ago. It definitely is not a burden to me. In fact, I have more energy (which my husband enjoys), can do more things with my kids and have weight because of having the energy.