Shocked and In-Contact with Someone

Hello again,

Haven't posted in a few months, although I got great support the last time. I received my second shock last night, again, it shakes me up more mentally than physically. This time, however, I shared my shock with my boyfriend, as we were being intimate when it went off. I am too much of a lady to get into details, but he said that he experienced a flash of light in his head and felt a jolt. It certainly was not as strong as what I experienced, but it did freak him out pretty badly. Has this happened to anyone else? How do you cope? I am terrified of even touching him now because I don't want to hurt/scare him or get shocked, which is now embarassing/alienating for a brand new reason. Thoughts? Thanks and God bless...

8 Comments

Shocked

by SMITTY - 2007-09-05 06:09:02

Hello Sunsh1ne,

I think part of the answer to your question lies in your first post here. I went back and looked it up and the following is what you said about that first shock: “the defibrillator is in because they are worried about sudden episodes. however, when it went off on friday, it was because i'd just run up some stairs and my heart was responding normally (well, my HR was 194, but this was due to exercise, not a sudden rhythm problem).”

I will guess that physical exertion will cause you to go into what that ICD thinks is V-Fib and does what it thinks it is supposed to do, send out an electrical impulse to get your heart to slow down. As for boy friend getting what was probably the shock of his life, I can see how that happened. The ICD puts out a pretty good jolt and while I don’t know how the jolt from an implanted ICD compares with the external units, we have all seen on TV that before they apply the pads to the patient they say “clear” and everyone steps back. I do know that is done in real life as anyone touching the patient would also get a jolt. I had never given it a thought, but apparently the shock from your ICD that is applied to the heart will travel through your body to anyone touching you.

So, I have with my great wisdom (that is a joke folks because again I don’t know what I’m talking about) figured out why you had the unexpected experience. I would now suggest you discuss the details with your doctor and let them come up with answers and I don’t think abstinence is the answer.

Wish you the best,

Smitty

What type of ICD?

by kyle0816 - 2007-09-06 03:09:11

I'm wondering what type of ICD you have. I know mine has a feature that tries to pace you down with small shocks that you don't feel first and then gives you a actual shock if that doesn't work. I'm wondering if your ICD has this feature or not. From what I've read that feature stops an unnecessary shock 3 out of 4 times. I have a Medtronic EnTrust series. I know this doesn't really help you out but I was just curious.

Hot lovemaking

by auntiesamm - 2007-09-06 12:09:25

When one speaks of "hot lovemaking" I don't think this is what it refers to! WOW - what a surprise for both of you. Smitty is probably absolutely right as usual with his response above. It will be interesting to all of us I am sure to know your physicians' opinion. Take care and stay safe!

Sharon

shock

by gaby - 2007-09-07 12:09:03

You probably didn't feel the same magnitude of the ICD shoke this time as you did the last cause you were touching your boyfriend. It probably did frighten him. But also in one respect was good for him to experience (maybe not in that type of situation) because he know knows what you experience when the ICD fires.

You both need to sit down and talk about what happened and what to do if it happens again (i am sure it will). If he cares about you then he will be ok with experiencing this with you. If not then that needs to be discussed too. But don't rob him of your touch and affection.

gaby

Shocked boyfriend

by peter - 2007-09-09 02:09:41

The shocks may be unpleasant but they are not designed to harm a partner. This probably will happen again so you should both chat about it and agree not to let it bother you. Confirmation from your heart doctor may give added reassurace to your boyfriend.

Some info. on this

by ela-girl - 2007-09-11 01:09:41

I found this information on Boston Sci.'s web site. Maybe it will help to answer some questions here! Please read the following:

"Now that I have a defibrillator, can I resume sexual intimacy?
For most patients, sexual intimacy is not a medical risk. The natural heart rate increase that occurs during sex is the same as the heart rate increase that occurs when you exercise. Exercise testing at the hospital will help your doctor program your defibrillator so you don't get a shock during sex. If you do get a shock, your partner may feel a tingling sensation. The sensation is not harmful to your partner. Be sure to let your doctor know if you get a shock during sex. Your doctor may want to reprogram your device."

So, maybe you should call the doctor and ask about the exercise testing to have your defib. adjusted.

Just tryin' to help out!
ela-girl

Earphone shock

by goober043 - 2007-09-18 02:09:08

I also have the type of ICD that gives you smaller shocks in an attempt to avoid a big one. I have had my device for a little over a year and have never received a large jolt but have experiences several small shocks. One day my daugher was on her laptop with her earphones in and I touched her and my shock traveled from one earphone to the other. She was mostly worried that Ihad "fried" her computer.

shocking sex

by georgeazarmitchell - 2014-06-20 01:06:12

my wife and I experienced a shock while having sex. we both saw a blue/white flash . she did not feel anything ,I of course felt the shock . we are still quite upset by this incident but I'm going to talk to my electro-physiologist and see if he can re-adjust the triggering format so that this will not happen during sex .

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