First known shock

I thought the devil himself had come to earth and zapped the Jesus out of me. Wow! All I was doing was cooking dinner with my wife when suddenly I felt this jolt come from nowhere. I felt fine up until then. It felt like someone punched me really hard in my chest. Hard enough that it brought me to the ground. My wife says that the jolt knocked me out, but I disagree. I think I was just stunned. I still cannot believe that the ICD actually went off. I'm in disbelief but glad I have it. That shock saved my life, the docs say. I had a run of fast heart rate and then they said for a short time my heart wasn't really beating at all.
I was getting along so well, and have adjusted well to this new way of life. I've learned that there is just no way to describe that first shock. It's something everyone has to learn for themselves, I guess. I know what all of you mean now. I guess I've officially joined the club.
I know a lot of people here have pacemakers. How many of us here have ICDs? I would be interested in learning about your first shock experience if any of you don't mind sharing.

Thank you all out there,
Mike

7 Comments

first shock

by thomast - 2009-03-09 04:03:04

I have had two since getting my ICD in 05, the first one I was using electric hedge trimmers on a wet morning and I thought the trimmers had shocked me. I put the trimmers down and got another shock, this time I knew what it was. As I have said before it is about the same as touching the spark plug on a lawn mower. That never used to bother me. In fact if I needed to see if the mower had fire, I would touch the plug and pull the starter. I don't do that anymore Not like a man that used to work for us, that would walk up to a tractor and grab all four plugs and kill the motor. He would bet anyone a beer he could do that. He always won. Hardway to earn a beer.

first shock

by kcruz - 2009-03-09 04:03:07

I have to agree, know one can prepare you for that first shock. The first one I remember was a doozey ( I am all of 5'1 and 123lbs soaking wet). Made my whole body shake and I saw a flash of light like when you pull a plug from a light socket, than I tasted metal, they say that was a common reaction. Glad I had it though because I wouldn't be her without that therapy I am told. I have to agree with Patch too, its amazing how the profanity can be streamlined from a shock, i didn't see that in the fine print did you?

LOL

by Mikey likes everything - 2009-03-09 04:03:19

Now that you mention it, I think I said a few choice words myself, and I teach Sunday school. You brought a new fear in Sundays. I surely hope God has enough mercy on me for it not go off in front of the children. How devastating that would be.
I know what you mean about mother-in-laws. God be with you.
At least I got out of doing the dishes that night. In fact, with all of the commotion dinner was bagged all together and we got take out on the way home from the hospital.
She still makes me take out the trash. I don't think I'll ever get out from her nagging, but it's worth a shot.

Thanks bro,
Mike

Still a shock virgin

by Gonnie - 2009-03-09 10:03:58

I'm happy to say I haven't joined the shock club yet & from the sounds of things, I'll wait awhile. Mike described it just like others have . Now I've been known to reel off a string of expletives without being provoked by a titanium machine so imagine what I can deliver when my ICD delivers. And yes, I'll agree that church isn't the place for it to test me! Glad you're OK Mike and that it did the job it was designed to do. And we'll forgive you for your potty mouth!

Nothing can prepare you......

by Katielou - 2009-03-10 02:03:45

Welcome Mikey, your initiation is now complete.
No-one can prepare you for that 'first time'. For me, I don't feel a thing because my heart goes into fibrillation and I'm on the floor immediately with no warning. All I can remember is that I was in my office using my pc and for a split second it went flourescent blue. I thought I had died!. Then slumped across my desk for about 10 secs by which time the ICD had detected a problem and it fired lifting me off the chair. It frightened my colleagues more than it did me. Yes, I swore because I knew it was another 6 months without driving. Still at least I knew it worked.
Agreeing with Frank, it's my heart stopping that puts me
on the floor. It's the shock that brings me back to the land of the living.
Haven't had a shock for over 3 years now.
Take care and make sure you always have your card with you.

Lesley

If it goes off during Sunday School

by ElectricFrank - 2009-03-10 12:03:12

Hey, try telling the kids "God just spoke to me". It will give you authority.

I don't have an ICD, but as an electronic engineer I have worked around high voltage all of my life. You never get used to a shock. It hits the whole nervous system, and comes as a total surprise. Oddly it isn't that bad if you know it is coming. I used to test the spark plug wires on my old Ford by deliberately touching the terminals and judging how much I jumped. That was many years ago in my much younger days. Maybe that's why I don't need an ICD..I stored up enough jolts for a lifetime.

By the way, I doubt it was the shock that knocked you down..it was your heart stopping and then you felt the shock.

good luck,

frank

The devil you say?

by auntiesamm - 2009-03-15 11:03:15

Just remember the devil is always looking for a new way to get us! Be prepared. LOL Sharon (So CA)

You know you're wired when...

You have a new body part.

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