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What Causes Electric Shocks Through The Body At Night?

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Posted on Tue, 11 Nov 2014
Question: I have had a pacemaker for about 10 years. For the first few years I experienced no feeling of being shocked while I was asleep. For the past 3-4 years I would be awakened by what felt like a powerful electric shock. This occurred only a few times a year. On the tenth of this month I experienced two shocks, one at 2:30am and another at 4:15 am. On the 11th, 13th and again on the 17th experienced shocks that awakened me from sound sleep. St. Judes checked my pacemaker recently and said it was fine. What is happening if it is not caused by my pacemaker? Thanks. XXXX
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Answered by Dr. Moumita Chakraborty,MD (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Need to undergo few investigations.

Detailed Answer:
Hello mam,

Welcome to healthcaremagic.

I understand your concern. I went through your questions and condition very carefully.If you have a two or more repetitive shocks, it's considered a medical emergency, and you need to have a formal device interrogation.Hope you did not have any other symptoms like syncope, shortness of breath, or chest pain.

Your doctor should check your electrolyte status,cardiac enzymes and an electrocardiogram. As you said you already had a cardiac workup, you can consult your cardiologist with those reports. If the ECG shows normal sinus rhythm and the device is still delivering shocks, it's appropriate to deactivate the shock function.

Once you get your reports you can get a proper answer to your status from your cardiologist.

Meanwhile;
Avoid heavy weight lifting.
Avoid upper body motion for a longer time.

Hope i could answer your query.Take care.
Dr.Moumita Chakraborty
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Moumita Chakraborty,MD

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 252 Questions

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What Causes Electric Shocks Through The Body At Night?

Brief Answer: Need to undergo few investigations. Detailed Answer: Hello mam, Welcome to healthcaremagic. I understand your concern. I went through your questions and condition very carefully.If you have a two or more repetitive shocks, it's considered a medical emergency, and you need to have a formal device interrogation.Hope you did not have any other symptoms like syncope, shortness of breath, or chest pain. Your doctor should check your electrolyte status,cardiac enzymes and an electrocardiogram. As you said you already had a cardiac workup, you can consult your cardiologist with those reports. If the ECG shows normal sinus rhythm and the device is still delivering shocks, it's appropriate to deactivate the shock function. Once you get your reports you can get a proper answer to your status from your cardiologist. Meanwhile; Avoid heavy weight lifting. Avoid upper body motion for a longer time. Hope i could answer your query.Take care. Dr.Moumita Chakraborty