Electrical shocks throughout my body.

Posted by KidWithShocks @braedenl2202, Nov 13, 2019

Hello. I’m not sure if anyone knows what I am talking about but I am hoping that someone does because I am beginning to feel crazy. Every day, I have an electrical sensation feeling throughout my entire body. The only way I can describe it to people is that it feels like I am being shocked by a light switch throughout my entire body. It is very painful, however only lasts from around 5-20 minutes, 1-5 times a day. It’s starting to scare me because my doctor looked at me like I was crazy, and my nurses chuckled when they heard my symptoms. I am going to a neurologist but they cannot fit me in for another month. It’s very painful for me and it has started to come with a red, splotchy rash from my neck down to my legs. If anyone has any idea what this could be and what I can do to surprise the pain, I would really appreciate the advice. And also if anyone else deals with this please tell me because I really am starting to think I am crazy. Thank you!

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kidwithshocks @braedenl2202: I have had electric shocks twice. The first time happened after being discharged from a mental hospital. I thought I was going crazy and was too embarrassed to mention it to the doc. I suspect it might have been due to a med change while in the hospital. That was in the 1980s. Two summers ago I tried to taper off Zoloft. Beside all the usual symptoms a drug addict feels when in need of a fix, the shocks came back. The only body part affected was my head. I'm sorry you are feeling it all over. It was bad enough having frequent shocks all over my head. I hope you find relief fast.

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I get those all the time dr looked crazy at me also

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If the doc doesn't see anything or doesn't know what it is, it's automatically in the patient's imagination. Finding a doc who believes us is quite a challenge.

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Hello, @braedenl2202 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. That would discourage me personally to have a doctor look at me like I was crazy and have a nurse chuckling. I'm pretty sure some of our other members are familiar with a sensation something like what you are talking about. Hoping that @burningfeetinphoenix @notborntoburn @ew100 will have some input for you. @johnbishop @jenniferhunter also may have some thoughts for you.

Have you noted anything that comes before this sensation?

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Hello, @braedenl2202 – I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @lisalucier and other members. There is another discussion similar to yours that you might want to read through and meet other members with similar symptoms.

> Groups > Chronic Pain > Daily random shocks throughout body
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/daily-random-shocks-throughout-body-28750f/

I also found a Medical News Today article - What is Lhermitte's sign? that sounds similar to what you are experiencing.
-- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323889.php

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@braedenl2202 I've had an electric bolt down my entire body that was caused by spinal cord compression, and when I bent my neck, it put more pressure on an already compressed spinal cord and I got a shock. Having spine surgery to correct this fixed it entirely, no more electric shocks. I have also had blotchiness in my hands and arms with a light reddish purple rash caused by thoracic outlet syndrome which is also caused by compression of the brachial plexus nerve bundle that creates this response. My doctor told me that. That being said, some patients are just more body aware than others. If your doctor isn't listening and believing this is real, maybe you should look elsewhere. I had a similar experience of not being listened to and a surgeon's nurse misunderstanding my early symptoms of spinal cord compression, getting annoyed, and telling me to consult a doctor about it. That surgeon decided not to help me, and I found a better surgeon at Mayo and everyone there listened to me. I also came with a copy of some medical literature with a case similar to mine with the same symptoms and that diagnosis had been missed by the other doctors. The literature talked about funicular pain that can happen anywhere in the body from cervical spinal cord compression (stenosis), and that there are no definitive tests to confirm it, and that decompression surgery fixes it. That was true for me too, and I had the same experience of this pain being fixed by spine surgery.

Another issue may be something like the shingles. My mom had this, and had small bright dark red raised spots that were clustered and in a line. The bumps follow nerve pathways and are very painful. I haven't had the shingles myself. You could consult your regular doctor in case it is something like that.

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@mrsjaxx727

I get those all the time dr looked crazy at me also

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Have you had a bad red, splotchy rash with yours? I have been looked at every time and people have wanted to give me an epi pen as it looks like an allergic reaction. The shock episodes are the thing that hurt most, but the rash is a weird thing to me that discouraged me that it’s Lehrmittes Sign or something like this.

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@jenniferhunter

@braedenl2202 I've had an electric bolt down my entire body that was caused by spinal cord compression, and when I bent my neck, it put more pressure on an already compressed spinal cord and I got a shock. Having spine surgery to correct this fixed it entirely, no more electric shocks. I have also had blotchiness in my hands and arms with a light reddish purple rash caused by thoracic outlet syndrome which is also caused by compression of the brachial plexus nerve bundle that creates this response. My doctor told me that. That being said, some patients are just more body aware than others. If your doctor isn't listening and believing this is real, maybe you should look elsewhere. I had a similar experience of not being listened to and a surgeon's nurse misunderstanding my early symptoms of spinal cord compression, getting annoyed, and telling me to consult a doctor about it. That surgeon decided not to help me, and I found a better surgeon at Mayo and everyone there listened to me. I also came with a copy of some medical literature with a case similar to mine with the same symptoms and that diagnosis had been missed by the other doctors. The literature talked about funicular pain that can happen anywhere in the body from cervical spinal cord compression (stenosis), and that there are no definitive tests to confirm it, and that decompression surgery fixes it. That was true for me too, and I had the same experience of this pain being fixed by spine surgery.

Another issue may be something like the shingles. My mom had this, and had small bright dark red raised spots that were clustered and in a line. The bumps follow nerve pathways and are very painful. I haven't had the shingles myself. You could consult your regular doctor in case it is something like that.

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I don’t have shingles I don’t believe. I had blood tests done as well and urine tests and everything seems normal. I check my heart rate and blood pressure when these happen and those do not seem to be effected.

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Hi, I do have Myoclonus/Myoclonic jerks. Sounds just like what you are experiencing, but can't say for sure that's what you are having. It feels just like an electric shock going from my head then through my body, and either an extremity or my head my jerk quickly, like a tic. Happens mostly at rest or trying to sleep. I take medication for this, as it was a reaction to a medication I was on called Reglan. I would definitely ask if myoclonus/myoclonic jerks are what you are experiencing. Good luck, and if they continue laughing or don't take you seriously, then seriously look for another doctor. Prayers for you dear.

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My electrical shocks and stinging were random, anywhere inside my skin. It felt like I imagine a cattle prod would feel. Like you doctors thought I looked fine. I do have a form of eczema Allergic Contact Dermatitis and after the 5 Day Extended Patch learned what to avoid, implementing contact control and the rashes healed. Yet this random stinging did not leave and kept getting worse. I thought I had nerve issues based on a neck injury decades earlier so I had a load of neurological testing, all that to learn I had carpal tunnel. Nothing else showed up. The stinging was worse at night as histamines are elevated in the evening. I was sleep deprived and was definitely loosing my mind, laying in bed at night planning the surest, cleanest and least painful way to commit suicide. I didn't want to fail or leave a mess for my husband to clean up. I had no memory of being pain free.I would have sold my soul to the devil have a hour of freedom from pain, simply to remember what it used to feel like. Sleep deprivation is a form of torture. I started on an annual Kenalog-40 corticosteroid shot and this was amazing and kept the electrical taser stings away for about 10 months, then it would slowing begin again. This went on for several years. Steroid shots in the long run are bad news. I finally bit the bullet and began an anti-inflammation diet, a real sacrifice-zero processed sugar and zero carbs for a 3 months detox then zero processed sugar for life, limited natural sugar like a piece of fruit 3- 4 days a week and safe carbs like rice, but zero gluten for life. I began this last Oct 2018 when the corticosteroid shot was wearing off and the stinging and zapping was starting up again. By Dec 1 when I normally had this shot I didn't need it! Now 13 months later and staying true to the Dr William Crook anti-inflammation diet, The Yeast Connection Handbook, I still am electrical shock free. This Dec will be 2 years since I required the potent and not so good for you corticosteroid shot.
All said your symptoms are different in that it is not an all day event. Yet originally mine were not either, this built up slowly over time. You are not crazy, this is really happening to you and you are smart for seeking info from others. I have, for now, solved my problem. The Dr. William Crook book is still sold today on Amazon, not expensive, a simple read. Easy hand written diagrams showing the influence of certain foods raising our histamines. This diet will not hurt you or cause negative side effects like the steroid shots and takes no prescription. Yet you must have the strength to follow it. Will power is a must. Now I never even think about sugar however that took at least 6 months of craving it. It's not easy, but if you are in enough pain you will be motivated to try anything that won't hurt you. I plan to eat like this for the rest of my life. Best of luck, I feel for you. Been there! Living life to the fullest now.

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