Shocking gadgets!

I never thought I would be so caught off guard that I would fall for such a silly trick, as I did.
Here is what happened.... I was at work and a patient's son who is 9 years old came in and asked if I would like a stick of gum... I was busy and didn't actually really look at the gum. Looked like Wrigleys gum to me. As I reached for a stick of the gum a shocked ran up my arm to my elbow! I screamed out and everyone but me thought it was funny! I quietly reminded them that I had a pacemaker and that I didn't think it was so funny. I was thankful that it was my right arm and that I only felt the shock up to the elbow. I asked the child where he got such a shocking toy and his Mother volunteered that she had bought it for him!
Good grief... what is wrong with people? Should I call the cardiologist tomorrow? I don't know if I am having these palpitations from the shock or for the fact that I am really upset about it all. Darn kids! Darn parents!!
My greatest fear is that the shocking toys are only going to become more common because of thoughtless adults, that is what I really find shocking.
Pacergirl

4 Comments

What I'd Do

by janetinak - 2008-11-26 03:11:13

I'd call my cardio just to relieve my mind. You don't want to go into the holiday with this on your mind. I suspect & surely hope you are OK but better safe than sorry.

I agree Mom is a dope. Kid being a kid (unless older) but she is at fault.

Hopefully as mentioned above probably no harm dome but why do you have to even go thru this. Makes me annoyed just to think about it--grrrrrr!!!

Janet

shocking

by jessie - 2008-11-26 05:11:44

it is shocking for sure. you would wonder at the thoughtlessness of some. happy thanksgiving susan jessie

Shocker

by PeggyR - 2008-11-26 09:11:24

Wow, parents weren't thinking very clearly on this one. I agree with Jane, call your doc for any reassurances and/or contact Tech Dept of the mfg of your PM. I have called them a couple of times and they have been a great help and know the implications of being around problem items. Take care and good luck.
Have a happy holiday
Peggy

Shocking toy

by ElectricFrank - 2008-11-26 12:11:36

I'm surprised that such a toy could be solid in today's legal climate. I just did a search of the Consumer Product Safety Commission web site, but couldn't find any reference to them. A Google search brings up a bunch of places to buy them.

They don't give much information on how they work. My guess is the complete electrical circuit is in the toy so when you touch it with your hand the shocking current is limited to it. This would keep it from affecting the pacemaker, but would still be felt up the arm.

The main hazard of these toys is that there is no way to know what someone will be doing when they get the shock (I guess you could say that about an ICD as well). A reflex jerk of a hand could cause injury. I guess the next time a some jerk hands you one of these things you can smack-em in the face and claim the shock made you do it.

frank

You know you're wired when...

Your ICD has a better memory than you.

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