Shocking Lady

Hi,
I'm the lady that was getting shocked by her pacemaker. I finally got my answer. If any of you have a newer pacemaker that has an automatic impedance check and you feel shocks, that could be the problem. I discovered that my shocks were occurring every three hours. I felt like a clock! After much research and getting in touch with the Cleveland Clinic, I got my answer. The impedance check is set at 5v for 1 millisecond on my pacer which is a Medtronic EnPulse. This is more than is necessary to pace your heart and because I have unipolar leads (they are 26 years old) the pacemaker itself forms part of the circuit so the energy comes back to the pacemaker pocket in the form of a muscular jolt. Hopefully, when I see my EP he will be able to just turn this off as, for me, I don't feel it is necessary.
So, if your pacemaker is shocking you, have your doctor test the automatic impedance check and see if that doesn't help your problem.
Thanks to all that answered. It got me going in the right direction for research and the right place for answers.
This site is great!

1 Comments

Shocking Lady

by LadyShocker - 2007-10-08 06:10:05

Thanks for your most recent post. It does seem as tho you were not greeted with the "utter disbelief" that I had to contend with for over 3 yrs. after getting my pacemaker. I've had mine since 07/05/02 and started with the shocking sensations within a couple of weeks. I complained to my EP and he just shrugged me off, telling me pacemakers DO NOT shock. Well, I kept complaining and ended up going to someone else who agreed to have me seen in consult with a Medtronic rep.
To make a long story short, the rep did an extensive check; recorded all the responses and forwarded to the Medtronic home company. The engineers concluded that my body's electrical makeup is a little at odds with that foreign object and that is causing the problem. After numerous adjustments (and the passage of time, I guess!), my shocks have gone from being up to several times a day and ranging from just a slight bleep to being really intense to now being a rare occurrence.

And, you are correct. This site is wonderful. I rarely post anymore, and only occasionally read, but there are some fellow pacers here who have been extremely supportive to me and to lots of others as well.

Am glad it seems you've gotten the answer to your problem and hope you get it resolved soon. These shocking sensations get to be a little rough to deal with. Not only are they painful, but there were times I was so edgy it wasn't pleasant to be around me.

Happy pacing to all on this site.
Take care,
Lady Shocker

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My eight year old son had a pacemaker since he was 6 months old. He does very well, plays soccer, baseball, and rides his bike. I am so glad he is not ashamed of his pacemaker. He will proudly show his "battery" to anyone.