Re: What does it feel like when you get zapped?

[Guest guest]

To me it feels like a cannon going off inside me. Then I had a metal taste in

my mouth afterwards. I think it would all depend on how they set your defib.

Mine is set to hit me directly with 35 joules. Originally my cardiologist said

that 1 joule feels the same as 35, might as well hit it hard.

I'm heading to Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore to have extensive test run to

find out if they correctly diagnosed me with ARVD. I'm hoping to bring alot of

information home with me, since the drs. aren't too willing to discuss some

items with me and my family.

________________________________

From: on behalf of jfrow2

Sent: Tue 4/25/2006 5:09 PM

Subject: What does it feel like when you get zapped?

My EP, cardiologist, and rehab therapist all told me it feels like a

strong thump in the chest " like getting kicked by a horse " .

This had me somewhat apprehensive until I got my first shock. It did

not feel like a thump by any stretch of imagination. What it did feel

like to me was a strong electrical shock, I feeling that I have

experienced many times in the past. The following two zaps felt the

same.

From postings I have read on this group, everyone seems to describe

the zap like a kick in the chest or something similar. This has got

me wondering if there is something wrong with me or my device.

What have you felt when you got zapped?

Thanks,

Please visit the Zapper homepage at

http://www.ZapLife.org

[Guest guest]

I have been shocked twice by my ICD but it turns out to have been sinus tachycardia rather than anything ventricular. I agree that the shock was no where near a kick in the chest. However, I was told that my device delivered about 10 joules and is capable of about 30. The latter might feel like a kick!! Hope I never have to find out!!!

Brenta

What does it feel like when you get zapped?

My EP, cardiologist, and rehab therapist all told me it feels like a strong thump in the chest "like getting kicked by a horse".This had me somewhat apprehensive until I got my first shock. It did not feel like a thump by any stretch of imagination. What it did feel like to me was a strong electrical shock, I feeling that I have experienced many times in the past. The following two zaps felt the same.From postings I have read on this group, everyone seems to describe the zap like a kick in the chest or something similar. This has got me wondering if there is something wrong with me or my device. What have you felt when you got zapped?Thanks,

[Guest guest]

joel there are on some like mine two levels of zaps the firsted level is weaker then the secound therefor with the firstedlevel i feel as though a gjolt of lighting got me where as with the higher one i however feel as though i had been kicked bye a horse and i see lighting in my eyes i also hear the defibrilator fireing ! but everyone feels diffrnetly with everything dont feel as though there is something wrong with you personly out of the two i would give up the feeling of being kicked just to feel the way i feel after the light shock i should explain my light shock settign is like 50 jolts i think and the big shock is 200 jotls but if you are unsure about it i would as your doctor if it's normal! stacie,22 shocking life for shocking people jfrow2 <jfrow2@...> wrote: My EP, cardiologist, and rehab therapist all told me it feels like a strong thump in the chest "like getting kicked by a horse".This had me somewhat apprehensive until I got my first shock. It did not feel like a thump by any stretch of imagination. What it did feel like to me was a strong electrical shock, I feeling that I have experienced many times in the past. The following two zaps felt the same.From postings I have read on this group, everyone seems to describe the zap like a kick in the chest or something similar. This has got me wondering if there is something wrong with me or my device. What have you felt when you got zapped?Thanks, Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org

[Guest guest]

Cathleen - I live right outside of Baltimore, If you have any questions about getting around. please let me know. I will be glad to answer whatever questions you have. It is a great hospital as you know. The cardiac program is great as well as University of land in Baltimore. Darlene"Maskaly, Cathleen J" <cmaskaly@...> wrote: To me it feels like a cannon going off inside me. Then I had a metal taste in my mouth afterwards. I think it would all depend on how they set your defib. Mine is set to hit me directly with 35 joules. Originally my cardiologist said that 1 joule feels the same as 35, might as well hit it hard.I'm heading to Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore to have extensive test run to find out if they correctly diagnosed me with

ARVD. I'm hoping to bring alot of information home with me, since the drs. aren't too willing to discuss some items with me and my family.________________________________From: on behalf of jfrow2Sent: Tue 4/25/2006 5:09 PM Subject: What does it feel like when you get zapped?My EP, cardiologist, and rehab therapist all told me it feels like astrong thump in the chest "like getting kicked by a horse".This had me somewhat apprehensive until I got my first shock. It didnot feel like a thump by any stretch of imagination. What it did feellike to me was a strong electrical shock, I feeling that I haveexperienced many times in the past. The following two zaps felt thesame.From postings I have read on this group, everyone seems to describethe zap like a kick in the chest or something similar. This has

gotme wondering if there is something wrong with me or my device.What have you felt when you got zapped?Thanks, Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org

[Guest guest]

Hi Cathleen, How old r u? Leah "Maskaly, Cathleen J" <cmaskaly@...> wrote: To me it feels like a cannon going off inside me. Then I had a metal taste in my mouth afterwards. I think it would all depend on how they set your defib. Mine is set to hit me directly with 35 joules. Originally my cardiologist said that 1 joule feels the same as 35, might as well hit it hard.I'm heading to Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore to have extensive test run to find out if they correctly diagnosed me with ARVD. I'm hoping to bring alot of information home with me, since the drs. aren't too willing to discuss some items with me and my family.________________________________From: on behalf of jfrow2Sent:

Tue 4/25/2006 5:09 PM Subject: What does it feel like when you get zapped?My EP, cardiologist, and rehab therapist all told me it feels like astrong thump in the chest "like getting kicked by a horse".This had me somewhat apprehensive until I got my first shock. It didnot feel like a thump by any stretch of imagination. What it did feellike to me was a strong electrical shock, I feeling that I haveexperienced many times in the past. The following two zaps felt thesame.From postings I have read on this group, everyone seems to describethe zap like a kick in the chest or something similar. This has gotme wondering if there is something wrong with me or my device.What have you felt when you got zapped?Thanks, Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org

[Guest guest]

Hi Leah...

I'm 39 and I've had my device for 12 years now. Well three actually. Two

legitimate and one defect. I have two other siblings that have devices and they

are now questioning whether our children need them, hence the trip out to

Hopkins for the testing.

________________________________

From: on behalf of Leah

Sent: Tue 4/25/2006 8:14 PM

Subject: RE: What does it feel like when you get zapped?

Hi Cathleen,

How old r u?

Leah

" Maskaly, Cathleen J " <cmaskaly@...> wrote:

To me it feels like a cannon going off inside me. Then I had a metal taste in

my mouth afterwards. I think it would all depend on how they set your defib.

Mine is set to hit me directly with 35 joules. Originally my cardiologist said

that 1 joule feels the same as 35, might as well hit it hard.

I'm heading to Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore to have extensive test run to

find out if they correctly diagnosed me with ARVD. I'm hoping to bring alot of

information home with me, since the drs. aren't too willing to discuss some

items with me and my family.

________________________________

From: on behalf of jfrow2

Sent: Tue 4/25/2006 5:09 PM

Subject: What does it feel like when you get zapped?

My EP, cardiologist, and rehab therapist all told me it feels like a

strong thump in the chest " like getting kicked by a horse " .

This had me somewhat apprehensive until I got my first shock. It did

not feel like a thump by any stretch of imagination. What it did feel

like to me was a strong electrical shock, I feeling that I have

experienced many times in the past. The following two zaps felt the

same.

From postings I have read on this group, everyone seems to describe

the zap like a kick in the chest or something similar. This has got

me wondering if there is something wrong with me or my device.

What have you felt when you got zapped?

Thanks,

Please visit the Zapper homepage at

http://www.ZapLife.org <http://www.zaplife.org/>

[Guest guest]

Hi Cathleen I am 25. going on 26 in june. Had my ICD since I was 21. How old r your children? Leah "Maskaly, Cathleen J" <cmaskaly@...> wrote: Hi Leah... I'm 39 and I've had my device for 12 years now. Well three actually. Two legitimate and one defect. I have two other siblings that have devices and they are now questioning whether our children need them, hence the trip out to Hopkins for the testing.________________________________From: on behalf of LeahSent: Tue 4/25/2006 8:14 PM Subject: RE: What does it feel like when you get zapped?Hi Cathleen, How old r u? Leah "Maskaly, Cathleen J"

<cmaskaly@...> wrote: To me it feels like a cannon going off inside me. Then I had a metal taste in my mouth afterwards. I think it would all depend on how they set your defib. Mine is set to hit me directly with 35 joules. Originally my cardiologist said that 1 joule feels the same as 35, might as well hit it hard. I'm heading to Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore to have extensive test run to find out if they correctly diagnosed me with ARVD. I'm hoping to bring alot of information home with me, since the drs. aren't too willing to discuss some items with me and my family. ________________________________ From: on behalf of jfrow2

Sent: Tue 4/25/2006 5:09 PM Subject: What does it feel like when you get zapped? My EP, cardiologist, and rehab therapist all told me it feels like a strong thump in the chest "like getting kicked by a horse". This had me somewhat apprehensive until I got my first shock. It did not feel like a thump by any stretch of imagination. What it did feel like to me was a strong electrical shock, I feeling that I have experienced many times in the past. The following two zaps felt the

same. From postings I have read on this group, everyone seems to describe the zap like a kick in the chest or something similar. This has got me wondering if there is something wrong with me or my device. What have you felt when you got zapped? Thanks, Please visit the Zapper homepage at http://www.ZapLife.org <http://www.zaplife.org/>

[Guest guest]

I had my St. Jude Medical ICD implanted on 4/4/05. On 7/5/05 I was bicycle riding when I got my first zap. I fell over on the bike and fractured my skull. I sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and I was in a coma for 3 weeks. I spent 3 months in 4 hospitals and two inpatient rehab facilities. I have no memory of that day or even of weeks before the accident. On 9/6/05 I was sitting in my bed in a rehab facility when I got zapped. The nurse standing next to me heard it go off. It felt like I was being electrocuted and for a second I thought I was going to die. My EP sent a rep from St. Jude Medical to the rehab facility to interrogate my ICD. The rep said I had been in VT and I had gotten shocked with 675 volts. He said on the day of my accident I was in VF and had been zapped with 1,300 volts. I

don’t have any memory of the day of the accident but 675 volts made me feel like I was gonna die, so I’ll bet 1,300 volts did make me die for a few seconds. The rep called my EP and my EP told him to reprogram my ICD. I later learned that the Anti-Tachycardia Pacing (ATP) was programmed into my ICD that day. In my medical records it says that I got 25 joules with a 49 ohm impedance on 7/05/05. I guess that comes to 1,300 volts. I dunno. On 10/17 I was back home and I was outside walking using a walker because the TBI still had me feeling pretty dizzy, so I used the walker to make sure I wouldn’t fall over. Suddenly I felt very dizzy, then felt I was gonna faint, and then I got shocked pretty good but I didn’t feel like I was being electrocuted as on 9/6. It felt like a kick in the chest. I called my EP and he had another rep from St. Jude Medical interrogate my ICD, and she told me I had been in VT and I had gotten appropriate therapy. Then on 11/12 I was back in the hospital for something else and my heart went into VT again, and I got just a small thump in my chest. On 11/22 I had a catheter ablation and I haven’t had an arrhythmia or gotten shocked since 11/12. So I’ve had everything from being electrocuted to getting just a small thump in the chest with my ICD. This brings up a question I’ve been meaning to ask my fellow zappers. Do you have ATP programmed into your ICD? From what I’ve read I thought it is now considered standard therapy to help avoid getting shocked. I wonder if my EP had programmed the ICD with ATP when it was implanted if I might have avoided my accident and TBI. Joe jfrow2 <jfrow2@...> wrote: My EP, cardiologist, and rehab therapist all told me it feels like a strong thump in

the chest "like getting kicked by a horse".This had me somewhat apprehensive until I got my first shock. It did not feel like a thump by any stretch of imagination. What it did feel like to me was a strong electrical shock, I feeling that I have experienced many times in the past. The following two zaps felt the same.From postings I have read on this group, everyone seems to describe the zap like a kick in the chest or something similar. This has got me wondering if there is something wrong with me or my device. What have you felt when you got zapped?Thanks,

[Guest guest]

I have a 12 yr. old that has had baseline testing run and so far nothing has

shown up. However, my sister has children ages 25 and 14 that both show

symptoms and they are concerned so they are running more tests. We'll find out

for sure if this is hereditary and how quickly (or slowly) it progresses after

this weekend. Feel free to email me directly cmaskaly@... if you have

any questions. I'm not sure if I'll have answers, but we're doing our best at

searching!

________________________________

From: on behalf of Leah

Sent: Tue 4/25/2006 8:29 PM

Subject: RE: What does it feel like when you get zapped?

Hi Cathleen

I am 25. going on 26 in june. Had my ICD since I was 21. How old r your

children?

Leah

" Maskaly, Cathleen J " <cmaskaly@...> wrote:

Hi Leah...

I'm 39 and I've had my device for 12 years now. Well three actually. Two

legitimate and one defect. I have two other siblings that have devices and they

are now questioning whether our children need them, hence the trip out to

Hopkins for the testing.

________________________________

From: on behalf of Leah

Sent: Tue 4/25/2006 8:14 PM

Subject: RE: What does it feel like when you get zapped?

Hi Cathleen,

How old r u?

Leah

" Maskaly, Cathleen J " <cmaskaly@...> wrote:

To me it feels like a cannon going off inside me. Then I had a metal

taste in my mouth afterwards. I think it would all depend on how they set your

defib. Mine is set to hit me directly with 35 joules. Originally my

cardiologist said that 1 joule feels the same as 35, might as well hit it hard.

I'm heading to Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore to have extensive test

run to find out if they correctly diagnosed me with ARVD. I'm hoping to bring

alot of information home with me, since the drs. aren't too willing to discuss

some items with me and my family.

________________________________

From: on behalf of jfrow2

Sent: Tue 4/25/2006 5:09 PM

Subject: What does it feel like when you get zapped?

My EP, cardiologist, and rehab therapist all told me it feels like a

strong thump in the chest " like getting kicked by a horse " .

This had me somewhat apprehensive until I got my first shock. It did

not feel like a thump by any stretch of imagination. What it did feel

like to me was a strong electrical shock, I feeling that I have

experienced many times in the past. The following two zaps felt the

same.

From postings I have read on this group, everyone seems to describe

the zap like a kick in the chest or something similar. This has got

me wondering if there is something wrong with me or my device.

What have you felt when you got zapped?

Thanks,

Please visit the Zapper homepage at

http://www.ZapLife.org <http://www.zaplife.org/>

<http://www.zaplife.org/>

[Guest guest]

I got zapped 5 times in 2 min back in 2003. I can just tell you that the first zap felt like a hard kick in the chest (I heard that for so long) was always wondering if it was true. The first 2 felt like that~ but the next 3 fired off rapidly at 30 joules each. I must say I thought I was dying indeed. I heard the device gearing up each time. I want to add that my husband was trying to hold me up felt it through my body. He couldn't believe it. Lastly I want to say that by the last jolt I thought I bit my

tongue off! It's very unpleasant to say the least. Don't mean to scare anyone...can just tell you what it felt like to me. Enjoy reading all the posts. Take care.jfrow2 <jfrow2@...> wrote: My EP, cardiologist, and rehab therapist all told me it feels like a strong thump in the chest "like getting kicked by a horse".This had me somewhat apprehensive until I got my first shock. It did not feel like a thump by any stretch of imagination. What it did feel like to me was a strong electrical shock, I feeling that I have experienced many times in the past. The following two zaps felt the same.From postings I have read on this group, everyone seems to describe

the zap like a kick in the chest or something similar. This has got me wondering if there is something wrong with me or my device. What have you felt when you got zapped?Thanks, Vee

Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates.

[Guest guest]

I think the implanted defibrillator is set at 12 joules and the high

setting is 33 joules. External defibs have a much higher setting

because they have to go through skin, fat, bone, tissue, to finally

reach the heart.

On Apr 25, 2006, at 4:34 PM, LIghtingpaw wrote:

> joel there are on some like mine two levels of zaps the firsted level 

> is weaker then the secound  therefor with the firstedlevel i feel as

> though a gjolt of lighting got me where as with the higher one i

> however feel as though i had been kicked bye a horse and i see

> lighting in my eyes i also hear the defibrilator fireing !   but

> everyone feels diffrnetly with everything  dont feel as though there

> is something wrong with you  personly out of the two i would give up

> the feeling of being kicked just to feel the way i feel after the

> light shock  i should explain my light shock settign is like 50 jolts

> i think and the big shock is 200 jotls  but if you are unsure about it

> i would as your doctor if it's normal!

> stacie,22  shocking life for shocking people

>

> jfrow2 <jfrow2@...> wrote:

>> My EP, cardiologist, and rehab therapist all told me it feels like a

>> strong thump in the chest " like getting kicked by a horse " .

>>

>> This had me somewhat apprehensive until I got my first shock. It did

>> not feel like a thump by any stretch of imagination. What it did feel

>> like to me was a strong electrical shock, I feeling that I have

>> experienced many times in the past. The following two zaps felt the

>> same.

>>

>> From postings I have read on this group, everyone seems to describe

>> the zap like a kick in the chest or something similar. This has got

>> me wondering if there is something wrong with me or my device.

>>

>> What have you felt when you got zapped?

>>

>> Thanks,

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>> Please visit the Zapper homepage at

>> http://www.ZapLife.org

>>

[Guest guest]

I got shocked 7 or 8 times in a row because a lead came lose it felt like a kick in the chest or putting your finger in a socket. Lynn From Florida

What does it feel like when you get zapped?

My EP, cardiologist, and rehab therapist all told me it feels like a strong thump in the chest "like getting kicked by a horse".This had me somewhat apprehensive until I got my first shock. It did not feel like a thump by any stretch of imagination. What it did feel like to me was a strong electrical shock, I feeling that I have experienced many times in the past. The following two zaps felt the same.From postings I have read on this group, everyone seems to describe the zap like a kick in the chest or something similar. This has got me wondering if there is something wrong with me or my device. What have you felt when you got zapped?Thanks,

[Guest guest]

I experienceded my first and only shok a couple of weeks after i

received my ICD. I was walking fast across a parking lot and first

felt mild thumps in my chest as the ICD attempted to pace my heart

then I got the big zap. It felt like a very strong electrical shock

centered in the back of my neck. I was standing at the time and it

buckled my knees but i did not fall down. I sat down following the zap

and felt good enough to drive myself to my cardiologists office (not

the smartest thing I've done). As it turned out the A lead gain

setting was too low so it was not sensing every beat and thought I was

having a heart attack. So the bottom line is that it was an

UNWARRENTED therapy

Phil in FL

>

> My EP, cardiologist, and rehab therapist all told me it feels like a

> strong thump in the chest " like getting kicked by a horse " .

>

> This had me somewhat apprehensive until I got my first shock. It did

> not feel like a thump by any stretch of imagination. What it did feel

> like to me was a strong electrical shock, I feeling that I have

> experienced many times in the past. The following two zaps felt the

> same.

>

> From postings I have read on this group, everyone seems to describe

> the zap like a kick in the chest or something similar. This has got

> me wondering if there is something wrong with me or my device.

>

> What have you felt when you got zapped?

>

> Thanks,

>

[Guest guest]

Just so you know, my settings on My ICD are, first shock 5joules, then 14.5 joules then 33 joules. each level shocks me 3 times if it does not get into regular sinus rhythm then goes up to the next. TURKLIghtingpaw <lightingpaw@...> wrote: joel there are on some like mine two levels of zaps the firsted level is weaker then the secound therefor with the firstedlevel i feel as though a gjolt of lighting got me where as with the higher one i however feel as though i had been kicked bye a horse and i see lighting in my eyes i also hear the defibrilator fireing ! but everyone feels diffrnetly with everything dont feel as though there is something wrong with you personly out of the two i would give up the feeling of being kicked just to feel the way i feel after the light

shock i should explain my light shock settign is like 50 jolts i think and the big shock is 200 jotls but if you are unsure about it i would as your doctor if it's normal! stacie,22 shocking life for shocking people jfrow2 <jfrow2@...> wrote: My EP, cardiologist, and rehab therapist all told me it feels like a strong thump in the chest "like getting kicked by a horse".This had me somewhat apprehensive until I got my first shock. It did not feel like a thump by any stretch of imagination. What it did feel like to me was a strong electrical shock, I feeling that I have experienced many times in the past. The following two zaps felt the same.From postings I have read on this group, everyone seems to describe the zap like a kick in the

chest or something similar. This has got me wondering if there is something wrong with me or my device. What have you felt when you got zapped?Thanks, Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org

[Guest guest]

Hi Cathleen, I'm going to s Hopkins as well - my appointment is next Friday, May 5th. Same thing as you - ARVD testing. Good luck! a in Virginia"Maskaly, Cathleen J" <cmaskaly@...> wrote: To me it feels like a cannon going off inside me. Then I had a metal taste in my mouth afterwards. I think it would all depend on how they set your defib. Mine is set to hit me directly with 35 joules. Originally my cardiologist said that 1 joule feels the same as 35, might as well hit it hard.I'm heading to Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore to have extensive test run to find out if they correctly diagnosed me with ARVD. I'm hoping to bring alot of information home with me, since the drs. aren't too willing to

discuss some items with me and my family.________________________________From: on behalf of jfrow2Sent: Tue 4/25/2006 5:09 PM Subject: What does it feel like when you get zapped?My EP, cardiologist, and rehab therapist all told me it feels like astrong thump in the chest "like getting kicked by a horse".This had me somewhat apprehensive until I got my first shock. It didnot feel like a thump by any stretch of imagination. What it did feellike to me was a strong electrical shock, I feeling that I haveexperienced many times in the past. The following two zaps felt thesame.From postings I have read on this group, everyone seems to describethe zap like a kick in the chest or something similar. This has gotme wondering if there is something wrong with me or my device.What have you felt when you got

zapped?Thanks, Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org

[Guest guest]

That's why we go in for testing. Different problems and people require different amounts of "juice". Regrettably, mine needs the maximum and on the one occasion that it has gone off, I thought I was hit by lightning! Nuff said?

What does it feel like when you get zapped?

My EP, cardiologist, and rehab therapist all told me it feels like a strong thump in the chest "like getting kicked by a horse".This had me somewhat apprehensive until I got my first shock. It did not feel like a thump by any stretch of imagination. What it did feel like to me was a strong electrical shock, I feeling that I have experienced many times in the past. The following two zaps felt the same.From postings I have read on this group, everyone seems to describe the zap like a kick in the chest or something similar. This has got me wondering if there is something wrong with me or my device. What have you felt when you got zapped?Thanks,

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.5.0/325 - Release Date: 4/26/2006