PM shock while getting Mammogram

Hi everyone, I am Renae.
I had Boston Scientific CRT-P implant in August on 2013. I had my mammogram done on Friday 3/21/2014 and I felt a zap of electric shock. My chest where the device was located became very hot. I felt impulses on my chest and arms. It vent as far in my stomach area and vagina area as well. Now (gentlemen) you may not know about these exams) However, I mentioned this to the tech, and she indicated that we do mammograms everyday with patients with pacemakers. But told her I was just zapped. She said well this is our last picture and you will be going on to get your ultra sound next. When I moved to the ultra sound area, I took a wet wipe and wiped over my chest to cool and ease the discomfort over the devise area and the surrounding area. It appeared like the device had moved a little deeper into my chest area some. I could not sleep at all last night, because I felt the little currents move through out my stomach and vagina area. Not to mention the slight pain and little twitches on my chest and upper arms. My chest was stinging from within. I know this is a lot of information. But I want to share what I experienced. Has anyone experienced any things like this or simular with any type of x-ray, CT, or MRI procedures? I don't think the tech believed me.I was in shock, I thought my PM was going to melt inside my chest! Please help me to understand this.
Thank you for listening!
Renae

9 Comments

Get thee to your.....

by donr - 2014-03-25 05:03:20

.....Cardio ASAP.

I don't have to be a woman to realize that what happened to you is NOT normal. Something got busted inside there. (Lousy pun, I know. Totally uplanned.)

Donr

Medical professionals

by Orba615 - 2014-03-25 07:03:46

Has anyone noticed that when these things happen the act like you are an idiot or worse. Ugh! I'm fed up with all of them, docs, techs, nurses, the whole lot! There, it feels good to get that off my chest.

Go to the Doctor

by Grateful Heart - 2014-03-25 08:03:42

And get checked out like the others said.

Give them an estimate of the date and time this occurred.

Grateful Heart

PM Shock While Getting Mammogram

by iheartemh - 2014-03-25 08:03:44

I have not heard of such a thing happening. May I ask if you have a "home" monitoring machine for your pacemaker? If so, I would suggest that you sit in front of it and do a manual transmission of your pacemaker. Also, I would not wait, I'd call your physician and insist that they have you come in ASAP to check the device and do a readout of it while at the device clinic. None of this sounds good or normal. I can't believe that the mammogram technician merely told you that they do mammograms all the time on patients with pacemakers. This doesn't mean that some harm was caused by the mammogram/technician! Good luck. Please let us know what you find out.

WOW

by NiceNiecey - 2014-03-25 10:03:26

Fascinating read. I'm new to the PM world and I am NOT going in for another mammogram unless and until I hear back from you on this!
Niecey

PM Shock While Getting Mammogram

by iheartemh - 2014-03-26 02:03:05

I posted about my recent experience when I had my first mammogram since my implant. I saw the device clinic doctor and another cardiologist at the insistence of my primary doctor. Both told me that my device is close to the skin surface which may make it more sensitive to touch and light movement. Their best guess is that the device moved a bit and this caused the pain. They stopped when I yelled that it was hurting! Fortunately, they SLOWLY moved the pressing structure so I didn't have it go all the way down on the breast quickly.

I can't imagine feeling a shock all the way to "lady parts". I do hope that you have seen a doctor by now. I've never seen a prior posting about this. IT IS NOT NORMAL! Please keep us posted.

need checking

by KathyB - 2014-03-26 11:03:29

please get it checked and do get back to us. I too am due for my yearly mammogram and it will be the first one since the pacemaker and I had an issue with my left breast a few years ago so they do extra cautious pictures. Hope nothing was pulled away from the generator. I am a nurse and it really irritates me when I hear how some health care providers talk to people. I never tell anyone I am a nurse until they say something stupid and then I call them on it. Good luck, hope all is well but please let us know

asfasf

by boxxed - 2014-03-27 03:03:23

Just to clarify on an earlier post. Even if it's a CRT, it's still just a pacemaker, if you truly have a CRT-P, with emphasis on the P. It cannot shock. It does not have the capability to deliver High Voltage Therapy to rescue a person from a lethal rhythm.

With all that being said, I would still raise hell to get it checked it. Just because something terrible shouldn't happen doesn't mean it didn't. It takes a PM Tech 5-10 minutes to make sure everything is still working appropriately, even if they may not be able to explain why you felt those sensations.

Recovery

by LeeT - 2014-04-25 08:04:02


After my implant returned to critical care this tech wanted an x ray pulled on my left side arm (I am in recovery) I pulled myself up with my good right arm, still upset with this guy. Days later came back for another x ray the Dr. said don't raise your arm tech insisted raise your arm. I often think techs exercise powers they would otherwise not have. I am watchful next time I watch and make sure they follow my Dr's instructions.

Lee

You know you're wired when...

You have a little piece of high-tech in your chest.

Member Quotes

Life does not stop with a pacemaker, even though it caught me off guard.