what is this "shock" you speak of?

Hello! I have a dual lead PM for 18 months.
After reading the posts today, I noticed that several people said that they had been "shocked". (some worry that it wore down their PM battery).
What are they talking about?
I have to adjust myself (posture, sitting or laying down position) frequently because I can FEEL the PM pulsing. This happens ALL the time. Is that the same thing as the shock you mention?
Should I now ask about the battery life too??
Thanks a lot!
cbf

7 Comments

so "shocks" dont happen with a PM?

by cb - 2014-10-13 10:10:29

What should I call the sensation of FEELING the pulse?
Initially it could be startling...I seem to have assimilated the sensation into "normal" now.
How many other people feel their PM, please?
and thank you for the clarification...I was wondering what more I had to be aware of!

PM sensation

by Parrothead57 - 2014-10-14 01:10:47

I get a sensation from my PM but I definitely would not describe it as a shock. Its more like a tick or small thump coming from behind my sternum.

I feel it too

by NiceNiecey - 2014-10-14 04:10:51

Like you, I have assimilated that feeling into my new normal. No shocks, thank goodness, for those of us that don't have a defibrillator.

Me too!

by cb - 2014-10-14 06:10:51

I cannot sleep on the left side at night...or at least fall asleep on that side, pretty sure I can take it while unconscious.
Sometimes it creeps up...I can start out so comfy and on the left and then I guess the innards shift and then I can feel each pace...darn it!
Well this is interesting! To know that others have the same adjustments to make....and know exactly what it feels like...I LOVE this site!

Me too, me too

by pacemaker20 - 2014-10-16 10:10:30

I always wondered if everyone else felt it more when laying on their left side, as well. Good to know it's not in my head

I'm not sure anyone answered your question?

by Griddlebone - 2014-10-17 01:10:01

Some folks here, like you and me, have pacemakers (PMs), which help our hearts know when to beat.

Other folks have implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). You know those paddles you see on exciting medical TV shows? Similar, but you carry it around inside you all the time. They are implanted when a person's heart is in danger of going into ventricular fibrillation (not good), while PMs are used for a wide variety of conditions that affect the generation or conduction of electrical impulses.

One of my students had an ICD and she described a defibrillation event as similar to having a horse kick her in the chest. I'm sure there are people here who could give their own description.

I also have the strange feelings under my sternum with my PM and am relieved to know I'm not alone. I'll have to try the left side thing and see if it makes it more noticeable. I normally sleep on my right side or flat on my back with no pillow.

Same here...

by deeheart - 2014-10-18 01:10:09

I too have experienced sensations of little shocks around the site. They happen at random times off and on and it feels like light intermittent buzzing around the PM-- if that makes sense? Since getting the PM in June I also feel weird thumps, pains around the PM itself, in the sternum radiating to the thoracic back and lots of flutters, pain with arrhythmia's, clothing irritations just to name a few. I've always had skipped/premature beats and was used to feeling my heart and ignoring it, but since the PM there's much more Sx. I'm getting used to all of this stuff and still feel like a "newbee"....One thing that I was grateful for was learning that my PM tests itself every night at 1:00am on the "nose" and I can feel it resetting and testing both A/V chambers. I was informed that the PM gets used to my activity level and learns how to adjust. At first I could barely walk across the room without feeling tired and having a high heart rate. I'm now jogging again and while I still feel weirdness etc. it does get better. So things have improved in the 4 months since the PM and I'm so thankful for this site and all of the wonderful people who share their experiences and provide information and support--so helpful. It's difficult for others who have not had heart issues or a PM to understand all of the emotional and physical adjustments we go through.

You know you're wired when...

You always have something close to your heart.

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