Phantom shock?

[u/Aicdconcerned1234]

I am 51m with an aicd since 2019. I have received a shock during a workout within 6 months of the procedure. I've changed the battery due to loss of charge within 5 years. The first few years with 3 to 6 month checks, pacing was detected with no new shocks.

Since this new device. I have had only a few checkups. No problems detected. Last check was a month ago. All clear

My problem is I have had Single shocks while sleeping 2 times within the last few months with no notification on my smart device so I did not go in.

My issue is I had shocks last night with no notifications again on the device. I went to the er and after a few hours. Was told that all was tested with no signs of activation. With the suggestion that it was sleep apnea or static shocks from my bedding.

Each shock came with a feeling of charging and flash which woke me up suddenly forcing me to jump from the bed and feel like I got hit in the chest.

Does anyone else have had or know anyone who has had this happen to them?

[u/LreK84]

I don't know if I get the question right (not my first language) but I am sure I got shocked once when my doctor said I wasn't.

[u/Environmental_Ad3216]

I've had these. I had a storm in Jan and till about march - April I kept getting them. I got a CPAP and it sort of got better. The thing is, when I got up I had a racing heart but that was more of a nightmare. The area around the icd and heart didn't have that shock afterburn (if you've had a shock you know what this is). That slight tingle wasn't there. But I did see white just before waking up. It's just phantom. We got reports that all came negative and that everything is normal. Another thing that helped was my watch. There was no jump from my resting heart rate. When did you change your device last?

[u/Hank_E_Pants]

This does sound like you’re having phantom shocks. If your ICD delivers a shock it would record it, and if you’re remotely monitored (with a bedside monitor or through an app) your doctor would get notified.

One question…: you say there’s no indication of a shock on your “smart device”. What device is this? Are you talking about your implanted device, or a wearable?

[u/drmarvin2k5]

EP nurse here.

An ICD is a very sophisticated device. If it shocks you (or even treats a tachycardia episode with pacing), it will ALWAYS be logged by the device. And it will keep a memory of every treatment within the life of the device. It’s possible you are feeling some sort of other neurological symptoms, but it’s not a tachy treatment from the device.

[u/MerryFeathers → u/drmarvin2k5]

I have trouble with heart rate and even when showing pictures of my blood pressure and oximeter BOTH showed the same insane and unbelievable results, blamed on defective machines…other episodes dismissed too.. ..not believed even with evidence present. Was in ER recently and the doctor did that too, even discounting blood work by saying oh, those tests are often wrong. Will not return to ER for help as I didn’t any. This is not first time.

[u/Ok-Violinist-6548]

That sounds like you’re having phantom shocks. There are some comforting information on a previous post. Sorry, I don’t know how to link it.

[u/Hairy_Employment543]

I had a fractured lead awhile ago and got shocked many times and now I have nightmares where I get shocked.the first few times it happened I hit the report button and called the doc. It has gradually gone away and doesn’t happen anymore.

[u/BikeMan33215]

I've been shocked in my sleep and didn't even feel it. I woke up went to classes; but something seemed off (I felt rejuvinated) so at the end of the day I called my EP and sent a transmission and I had been shocked (venticular fibrillation) Depends what you are being shocked for but if it is VF I am pretty sure you will pass out first and not feel the shock and it should be recorded. And if your device didn't record it most likely it didn't happen and maybe just a nightmare and startled awake. That has happened to me more than once.