Shocking

Hi everyone
I had my second pm in 2005, my first one was in for 17 years and no problem at all, but my second one, well what can I say. I have not been too good since having this one, it is a Medronic, that is all i know about it. At the moment it is in my left shoulder but I am having sorness around the pacing box and a little swelling. Occassionally I get small like shocking waves going down my left arm. As anyone else experienced this.
Please advice if at all possible
Thank - Sue

8 Comments

Getting Shocked

by SMITTY - 2007-12-06 02:12:53

Hi Susan,

Since I just finished telling someone I couldn't answer their question. I'll offer something for you and hope I do better this time. I have a Medtronic, not that I think brand has much to do with it. I went through torment of getting shocked regularly for several years. However none of my shocks were in my arm. They were always in my chest, most often on the right side.

Because of that experience I learned a little about what can cause those shocks. One, it can be as simple as the voltage output being set higher than you need. Another is not all of the electrical impulse being sent to the heart is staying in the heart chamber as intended. Some of the impulse "leaks out" for want of better words, and impinges on a nerve. That is what happened to me. Another is there can be a defect or break in the insulation on a lead. I’m sure there are many others, but those come to mind right now.

You will have to talk to your doctor and I hope you have one that realizes a pacemaker can cause the problems you describe.

I wish you the best.

Smitty

Hi Sue,

by Gellia2 - 2007-12-06 03:12:07

I also had shocks, but mine came at intervals that I could track.
Here's what I found out about mine. The newer pacemakers have an automatic "check" to see if the ventricle needs pacing. For me, this "check" occurred every three hours. I would get three 7volt shocks every three hours that made my shoulder and arm jerk, not to mention what it did to a cup of coffee. Let's just say I wouldn't be holding any good cut glass at that time. Solving this was as simple as turning this feature off, as I did not need it. The simplest reason why I could feel these shocks was the increased voltage they required when they went off. My usual setting is for 4volts which I do not feel at all. Now, the key is why would you feel it? It could be that you have unipolar leads, like I do. If that is the case, the body of the pacemaker (called the "can") itself forms part of the entire electrical circuit. With bipolar wires the electrical charge goes down one wire and back up the other to complete the circuit. With unipolar, it goes down the wire and back again to the "can" which is part of the circuit. You feel it because it then can encounter a muscle or nerve close by and set it off in a spasm.
Can you tell if your shocks are evenly spaced out? If so, it may be your automaker check of the atrial wire and your dr may be able to help you with that by resetting the check to a different voltage, or as in my case, turn it off. It could also be your voltage is too high with this pacemaker and all the other things that Smitty mentioned.
Hope this helps!
Best to you,
Gellia

Shocking

by SusanBrookhouse - 2007-12-06 05:12:45

Hi Gellia and Smitty
Thank you for replying to my letter on here. I am going to the Pacing Clinic tomorrow afternoon for a check. They laughed when I told them about it on the phone.
I hope that is all that it is in one way.
Once again, it is nice to know that someone on here reads and helps others
Regards
Sue

Good Luck, Sue!

by Gellia2 - 2007-12-06 10:12:28

Let us know how you make out. I hope it's as easy for you as it was for me. I consider myself very lucky.
Best to you,
Gellia

pm and radiating pain

by SusanBrookhouse - 2007-12-07 04:12:48

Hi krishnanradhap@yahoo.com
I have sent you a message to the above email address.
Hope we can talk on their sometimes.
Sue

pm and radiating pain

by SusanBrookhouse - 2007-12-07 04:12:54

Thank you Krishnanradhap for your reply. My pm is a Medronic too but implanted in my left shoulder. I will try excercises too.

Shocking

by SusanBrookhouse - 2007-12-07 04:12:55

Thank you Gellia for your reply
I attended the pacer clinic today and they said everything was fine, but if there is no difference in couple of weeks time to go back to see them. Pacemakers moves occasionally and needs time to settle down, maybe it is touching a nerve in the shoulder they say. This I will have to see
Sue

pm and radiating pain

by radhakrishnan - 2007-12-07 12:12:33

Hai

Medtronic pm implanted at my right shoulder recently too gives painful waves to my right arm.this is due to the stifness(frozen shoulder)caused by the regulated movement of arm. But by exercises,i could overcome.

good health.
krishnanradhap@yahoo.com

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