Dad getting shocked

Just found this site and I hope I can get an answer to this question. I am the caregiver for my Dad who received a pacemaker 4/2010. We just moved into a new home and he has since been getting shocked in the shower. Today his HHA was shocked when she touched his arm while he was in the shower. It only happens when he touches the showerhead or the handicap bar . I believe there is an electrical issue in the house, but I wanted to check with other patients to see if anyone has ever heard of the pacemaker causing this. It did NOT happen until we moved into the new home.

Thanks

6 Comments

Not ever happened to me but

by janetinak - 2011-03-23 02:03:32

I sure would get an electrician out there to check ASAP. Just in case.

Good luck,

Janet

happened to me too

by fojimo - 2011-03-23 05:03:27

at work, nowhere near water. standing on a padded rubber floor mat at the register. not touching it though. all of a sudden a jolt. nothing big but definately felt. It happened twice that day. I have been told the store is not grounded. my cardiologist says it is a definate possibility it could happen but shound not be enough to cause any harm. as always when there is a possibility of an electrical shortage you should contact your electrician to rule out the dangers. I have had a pacemaker for 25 years and this is the first year it ever happened to me. good luck

Happened to me

by Laben - 2011-03-23 10:03:57

Much like you described. I have a pm/df and twice was shocked in the shower while turning faucet off. Guidant techs thought it could be electricity. They were right. Electrician found a 5 to 7 volt steady reading and about 15 volts when heater was turned on. It was enough current to make my DF think it was a fast HR. We solved the problem by securely grounding the water pipes. (We never could find the source)

Get It Grounded

by Juan - 2011-03-24 12:03:45

Our stainless steel sink in the kitchen would give us slight shocks. I had an electrician ground the electrical service with a ground rod and it stopped. I had it grounded because I did not like the idea of getting shocked by the house electrical service. The thought was always in the back of my mind, is it going to be a little one this time or will it be a big one. Since the little ones and a big ones would originate from the same source it was a concern I did not want.

The slight shocks your Dad is getting are not going to hurt his pacemaker, but one could cause a swift movement on his part which could result in a fall.

Dad getting shocked

by caredaughter1 - 2011-03-25 11:03:18

Follow - up: The builder came by today. Stepped in the shower and touched the handicap rail while touching the shower head and he got popped twice. I suggested that a screw must be touching a wire. In a few minutes the electrician was at our home, removed a screw from the handicap rail, (which was about twice as long as it should have been) and problem solved! Amazingly this master plumber had no idea what could be causing the problem when I made my original post.

Thanks again.

Dad getting shocked

by caredaughter1 - 2011-03-25 12:03:46

Thank you all very much for your suggestions.

This is a brand new house, just moved in 2/17 and I have had the electrician back out here 3 times and says everything reads perfectly. Everything is grounded.

I disagree with his opinion that there are no crossed wires because my husband reminded me that happened at our home when I would get shocked as I touched my dryer. I will be getting another electrician to check it. It only happens when he gets within about an inch of touching the shower head ( which is one that can be used in a hand - held position).

Have a good day and thanks again!

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