feeling like I'm touching an electric fence

Hi,
I'm posting for my father, he is 64 years old and had a pacemaker put in after they put in a stint. His bpm dropped to the twenties after so they put it in. He has since felt like he is foggy or fuzzy with his memory and has days that he feels like he is touching a electric fence. He went in to have it checked and somehow wound up resetting the pacemaker they had to have a tech come from across town to reset it. He has been told that it is working fine but I don't understand that if it is working fine how can he be feeling like he is touching an electric fence. Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this? He is a very private man and has not been able to return to his regular job since they put this in.

5 Comments

I Can Feel My PM

by hayzach - 2013-02-22 07:02:04

I feel mine also. It reminds me of touching your tongue to a 9 volt battery. It does make me jump some because I'm still getting use to it.

Being Shocked By Pacemaker

by SMITTY - 2013-02-22 08:02:04


Hello,

It's the same old story. A PM recipient is having a problem they didn't have before the got it and when they have it checked they are told "it is working fine". Don't get me wrong, the PM is probably working fine, but all that means is it is performing as it should with the settings programmed into it. What they don't tell you is those setting may not be right for the person. That is usually because the person doing the checkup doesn't know what is needed.

I know that doesn't help your father's problem, so what does he do. There is almost no probability the problem will go away and will have to be corrected. I went through a similar problem and after about five years until I found dr that explained to me that part of an electrical impulse from the PM was impinging on a nerve and that was why I was feeling what felt like electrical shocks. I was told the solution for me was to relocate the lead or deaden the nerve. I chose the nerve deadening. I do not recommend that solution for anyone. It brought with it problems that I'll never be able to get corrected.

Right now your father has to get the dr to admit the PM is causing his problem. That will not be easy. For starters you might try putting in writing to the dr what the problem is and send it to the dr. When that does not help, send the same letter to the hospital administrator. If that doesn't help send the same letter to your attorney along with copies to the dr and hosp administrator. You my as well face it will be time to play hardball and the statement "your pacemaker is working fine" is their answer for all PM problems they can't solve because they know the patient has no way to disprove what they are told.

I wish your father the best,

Smitty

Good Advice

by Many Blessings - 2013-02-22 11:02:33

I'm with everyone above. Don't let it go until you get the answers you need from your doctor and PM tech. I have similar issues at times, and was told it was one or more of my leads resting on or stimulating a nerve, or nerves. Yours could be that, your settings, or something totally different. Keep on them until they get things fixed.

PS: hayzach, I too remember sticking a 9V battery on my tongue to feel it tingle and taste the weird metal taste. In fact, for some reason, I still do it from time to time if I happen to be changing one out. LOL!

advice

by agrailer - 2013-02-23 01:02:36

Everyone that has made comments I greatly appreciate it. ( ANGRYSPARROW.... I wish I were able to be taking care of him. Unfortunately he lives several states away and when I found this site I hoped I could help him by finding out if other people had had a similar experience.I have directed him here but know he would never post anything it seems like he feels helpless with regard to this and that is very unlike my stubborn Vietnam Vet father. He isn't even asking my brother questions who is a paramedic). I am encouraging him to do exactly what everyone is saying by persuing the doctors and making them give him answers. Again thank you all for any insights.

nerve pain

by aldeer - 2013-02-23 01:02:36

When I first had my pm put in about 5 years ago, I had a lot of nerve pain in my shoulder area. After my pm decided to move down a little (while swimming), it no longer is touching the nerve. It took a a couple of years, but all is fine now. That is why I have told my cardio that when it needs replacing I want it right where it is now... a new scar will not bother me a bit. A nerve pain really does hurt. Good luck with your dad's problem. aldeer

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