A Buzz in the chest

I've had my pacemaker for about 3 months now and had a strange thing happen the other night and wonder if anyone else has had this or was it just my imagination.
I was standing at the kitchen stove, about 3 feet away from the microwave with the microwave running - have been told by the pacemaker tech and others that microwave ovens were no longer a problem, I really wasn't worried about it, but while I was standing there I noticed a small vibration that felt like a slight "buzzing" in the center of my chest. I had just noticed it and was about to mention it when the microwave beeped and turned off - at that same moment the "buzzing" stopped. Was there a connection, or am I just being paranoid?

3 Comments

Buzzing In Chest

by SMITTY - 2008-01-31 05:01:26

Hi Yorker.

I have always been of the opinion that nothing is impossible with a pacemaker. But if the tech has told you the microwave was not a problem, then I have to say you are on you own.

The good thing is the problem stopped when the microwave shut off. If you have noticed no after effect, I suggest you test it again. Start the microwave and if you have this feeling, get away from the microwave to see if it stops. It is possible that the MW is causing a switch to change positions and when the MW stops your PM returns to normal.

This could be happening because your MW is big and old, or some of the shielding around the magnetron tube is missing or has shifted out of position.

My guess is that it is the MW, but of course I have no way of knowing. I do hope you can let us now when you find out what is going on.

Good luck,

Smitty

Microwaves

by NH - 2008-01-31 06:01:22

I have an old microwave and I can't sit next to it when it is running. Even though it is said something is not a problem, if you have a funny tight feeling or buzzing or any kind of symptoms take heed and move away. move.

Take care,
NH

pacemaker "buzzing"

by Harry'sMommy - 2008-01-31 07:01:14

Hi!
I just thought I'd give you our story--my son kept getting woken up with his "tummy hurting" after receiving his pacemaker (he was 18 months old). At 1st I thought he just wanted attention and wanted to sleep with Mommy & Daddy after the fear & pain of surgery. But one night as he crawled into bed with us, he laid against me and I felt his belly "buzz"!!! (His pacemaker is in his abdomen.) Needless to say, I took him to the EP, and was told, oh, he must have "pocket pacing" when his pacemaker does a kind-of self-diagnostic check thing (sorry I'm not real sure about the terminology of whatever that was). Anyway, they turned off the test-mode-thingy that day, and he never complained about it (or woke us in the night about it) again. Could this be a possibility in your case? Just a thought . . . Good luck!
Harry's Mommy

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As for my pacemaker (almost 7 years old) I like to think of it in the terms of the old Timex commercial - takes a licking and keeps on ticking.