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Q: Random electrical shocks in chest and kidney area
asked by: 1neumatici on January 23rd, 2008
New User
I apologize if this is placed in the incorrect forum.
For the past 4 years I have been getting random, sharp electrical stabbing shocks. It feels like I'm being electrocuted. It happens very quickly and then it's over. A lot of the time it happens around my kidney area, but more recently it has been starting in my left chest, particularly near my heart. It's a very complex shocking feeling that starts around my nipple/heart area and shoots down towards my abdomen on the left.

I've had 2 cardiograms and a very complex array of bloodwork tests done. No clues. One doctor even tried telling me that it's all in my head and I'm just imagining the pain! Sometimes at work I'm carrying bins and I'll just drop one on the ground because of the pain. It's gone almost instantly...just like a shock. When it happens, it'll go away for about a week or so. I've gotten them all over my torso, particularly on the left chest, and sometimes on the kidney/side area, and once it was the upper right side of my back. The pain will shoot around in random complex patterns/directions.

One doctor said it is probably not nerves because the nerves start in the spine and wrap around my torso like my ribs do, so therefore to have a pain shooting from up to down would involve a random conincidence of one level of nerves firing off, then the next level below it at the exact same spot only, then the next level below it, etc. So that seems unlikely, and he said it is most likely a muscular problem.

I work in a factory that consolidates automotive parts but does not manufacture anything. Some amount of forklift natural gas and propane exhaust, but this pain has been happening for years before I started working there.
I stretch very gently almost every day.
I am not a heavy junkfood eater, and eat a fair amount of raw vegetables
I eat a good amount of meat every day
I am not highly active but from time to time I get my heart going on an exercise bike.
I have not smoked in years.

I'd really like some help with this because it has caused me a huge amount of long term stress over the past few years because I don't know what it is.

Thanks
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Users who thank 1neumatici for this post: spyrogirlkim 
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spyrogirlkim
replied on March 27th, 2008
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Random electrical shocks in chest and kidney area
Did you figure out what it was?I have the same thing.I have never told a doctor cause I figure they would think I was nuts but the pain is real.Just same as you describe.If you know what it is please let me know.
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dustyscout59
replied on May 15th, 2008
New User
Random Electrical Shocks
I know your message is a few months old, but I just joined the forum. I too have the electrical shocks throughout my body. I know they only last a few seconds, but they almost make you jump. They are very painful. Mine is like a stabbing pain sometimes, and sometimes an electrical shock.

Anyway, I also have numbness and tingling in both my hands and feet, and I am dropping things all the time. They did an MRI on my brain to day. I am 48 years old. My Dr. said he doesn't think it is MS, but wanted to test me for it anyway. The electric shocks throughout the body is one sign of MS, but it doesn't sound like you have all the symptoms I do. I will find out my test results next week.

Have you found out what is going on with you yet. Good luck! I know how scary it is, when there is no diagnosis!
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dustyscout59
replied on May 15th, 2008
New User
Random Electrical Shocks
I know your message is a few months old, but I just joined the forum. I too have the electrical shocks throughout my body. I know they only last a few seconds, but they almost make you jump. They are very painful. Mine is like a stabbing pain sometimes, and sometimes an electrical shock.

Anyway, I also have numbness and tingling in both my hands and feet, and I am dropping things all the time. They did an MRI on my brain to day. I am 48 years old. My Dr. said he doesn't think it is MS, but wanted to test me for it anyway. The electric shocks throughout the body is one sign of MS, but it doesn't sound like you have all the symptoms I do. I will find out my test results next week.

Have you found out what is going on with you yet. Good luck! I know how scary it is, when there is no diagnosis!
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ethernet
replied on August 20th, 2009
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Another in Australia - I have Random electric like ripples, not painful, but compares to electric foot massage unit, tens like.
Right over the nipple - whereas the heart is usually one more inch in and one inch down
I had blood tests and ECG - normal, but also low in potassium.
I did take Viox once but not a lot, before it was pulled.
Doctor did not know, but I have a reference letter to cardio guy if it gets any worse .

I'd like to know too,
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Suey39
replied on September 24th, 2009
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I think you will find that these electric shock feelings are from anxiety. Another classic symptom is numbness and tingling in the hands or feet. You can have anxiety without even realizing it. Of course I am no Doctor so there could be another cause, but for the most it is probably just stress and anxiety.
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