how does a shock really feel?

My heart rate recently went to 145 A-fib ,went to my electrophysiologist so he could shock me back into rhythm .He wanted to put me the hospital to do it but I wanted to feel it so I'd know if my device was working .I have had my device for about 4 months now with no shocks .He asked if I was serious ,I said. Sure I am ,so he told me to lay down and he would get the programing device and shock me .Told him I didn't want any drug for the shock I wanted to feel how it . He told me I'd hear a buzzing then I'd get the shock .I said ok let's do it . I heard the buzz then I received my first shock . As soon as I felt it, it was over .Took a millisecond . Now I know what the shock feels like and I know my device works . Don't fear the shock it's nothing and it's over as soon as you feel it . Hope this helps your fear of being shocked ,it's no big deal .

6 Comments

Holy Cow!

by NiceNiecey - 2014-07-03 11:07:47

You're a brave soul, my friend! But that's quite encouraging. I've read posts from others that have experienced a bit more SHOCK than you did but it's nice to know that not everyone is knocked on their butt. Well done!

Good for you!

by Gotrhythm - 2014-07-04 03:07:16

Knowing what it felt like would have to be better than to wonder and fear, never knowing.

And now you don't have to wait for the first time, never knowing when or how it might occur. You've had the first time and it's behind you.

Very smart.

Shock for Afib

by golden_snitch - 2014-07-04 03:07:44

Wow, I guess that's quite an unusual strategy, but of course, it might be better to just go through it once, so that know what to expect in the future. However, I'd not make the generalization that a shock is nothing and over as soon as you feel it. Especially with regards to ICD shocks, patients experience them very differently. Might have been nothing for you - which is encouraging -, but I have heard from so many other ICD patients who do not share your "it's nothing" experience.

Just out of curiosity:
Normally, to shock someone out of atrial fibrillation requires much less joule than the shock you receive for ventricular tachycardia, flutter and fibrillation. Also, the ICD usually won't fire when you are in atrial fibrillation as Afib in the vast majority of cases does not lead to life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. If it does shock because of Afib, this is often considered to be an inappropriate shock. So, just wondering what your EP actually did. Was that a full blown shock with the same amount of joule as for ventricular fibrillation? I sometimes go to a support group with mostly ICD and a few pacer patients, and for our discussions there it would be helpful to know (some of the guys are dealing with Afib, too).

Thanks a lot!

Inga

My ICD has went off

by rhymeandreason@knology.net - 2014-07-05 04:07:23

In regards to your question mine went of May 11, 2014. I was getting in groceries and over done it. So I was fixing to sit down close to the bed luckly I felt my heart flutter (Only warning sign) then I heard a loud pop like when you touch a live wire my left arm drew back and was very sore for two days. You have no warning at all. So now you know. Jackie Caylor

my shock

by georgeazarmitchell - 2014-07-09 10:07:33

Thanks for all the feedback about my shock experience .Maybe all these comments will help alleviate the fear of being shocked . I was shocked just like one would experience had it been a VETRICULAR event ,ie,involving the bottom areas of the heart . A full blown shock . Every electrophysiologist should refrain from telling his/her patient what the shock feel like UNLESS they have experienced it personally . If your device is working properly the shock should not be feared .I have also received a shock while having sex .It scared the hell out of my wife ! but I had a warning of sorts ...my pulse rate increased significantly just before the shock .As my pulse rate increased I began to realize quite quickly that a shock was coming due to the rapid rise in my pulse rate . It's a warning to you ...heed the warning if driving or walking just pull over or sit down and try to relax .Then if the shock comes you'll be expecting it and it won't be so traumatic . An ablation is scheduled for me soon and I hope that this will alleviate my problem . However even if does resolve my a fib issues I am still glad I had my icd implanted ,why? Well simply stated if I have an event while sleeping the device could save my life ,that fact alone is more that enough reason to be glad I have the device .It's kind of like an insurance policy that you hope you never have to use but provides protection should you ever need it !!!

Shock Comparison (ICD vs. ICU)

by farhan - 2014-07-21 06:07:17

I am not sure to what scale this will help but just to share my experience, I had a heart attack episode three years ago and I was given number of shocks in ICU and I survived. Later on when I was in ICU, on second day of incident I went into arrhythmia as my heart beat went up to 200. I was conscious at that point in time and immediately I was given electric shocks so this doctor in ICU walks towards me with shock terminals in his hands while other quickly puts some liquid on my check and then boom... O man it was one hell of an experience, The shock only lasted for less then a second but it was really big kick. Soon after the shock everything turn white in the room and then I was unconscious. I can tell that this shock was literally like a horse kick on your chest. It is hard to explain the feeling of that moment but I would say it was the jerk in your entire body that appears scary rather then the 'pain' part of it.

So later on, I went smooth with life with around 25% EF until quite recently when my Doc suggested me to have an ICD. This he wants to put in for just in case if I face arrhythmia attack. So soon I will be going for this single chamber ICD implant.

On my question to my Doc, I asked 'how he compares the shock that I earlier received in ICU vs. the one that ICD will kick in if I land into arrhythmia'. So he said that ICD shock will be quite lower in impact in comparison with the one that I received during ICU (outside from check). He said that the scale that is used in ICU starts from 200 points and the ICD scale starts from 32 or so. In this case the gravity or the impact is quite low.

I hope above adds up to a useful information for some.

Regards,

Farhan.

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