Coughing and Electrical Shock Sensation

Question

On two separate occasions while coughing I experienced a sensation similar to that of an electrical shock across my entire chest region. On the second occasion, the sensation also went down both arms to the antecubital region. What could possible cause this? There is no pain associated with it and when I quit coughing, it stops.

Moomommy1 · Answer

I just had my worst choking/coughing spell with the electric shock sensation.   I am planning to call my primary care provider, is a neck x-ray the first step to see if its an issue with a disc?

jackleys · Answer

Found this from a Doctor online.
This is likely due to the pinched nerves in the neck. When once coughs, the pressure on the nerves increases and there is intense tingling. This can be due to;
1) Herniated/degenerated disc in neck
2) Cervical spondylosis; bone spurs in the neck vertebrae pressing on the nerves.
Following investigations would be required;
1) X-ray of the neck spine
2) MRI of the neck
3) Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) study
4) Electromyography (EMG)
The treatment entails, physical therapy, acupuncture, neck traction, neck brace and deep electrotherapy.

jackleys · Answer

I have been doing this for over 10 years now. whenever I cough hard, or vomit it sends a shock wave through most of my body with a severe tingling or needle like sensation. i was going through menopause when it first started, so i thought it was just part of that, but it has never gone away and i am almost 60 now.

csman22 · Answer

One person answered that a cough can get you "all out of whack" and you'll need to see a chiropractor. Some Quack Chiro used the "all out of whack" diagnosis with them and it stuck. People looking for "whacky" diagnoses will certainly find them from the Quack snakes, lying in wait.

Daydayz · Answer

Hi All, I’ve had 4 occassions like described above where I sneezed and felt electrical shock in the head/body.  On the 4th occassion, it led to an ischemic stroke a few minutes later.  After my angioplasty (thrombectomy) in hospital, there were complications and I had a second ischemic stroke and 2 hemorrhagic strokes leaving permanent damage to frontal cortex.  You cannot imagine the hell I live in every moment now, all because of a sneeze..  I was someone could have warned me, I would have fixed my posture and strengthen my neck with exercises.

mwenniger · Answer

Did Anybody get Any Answers ????

Sinjin620 · Answer

I just experienced this I choked on some food and coughed really hard and electrical tingling pain hot through both arms now when I sneeze the sharp pain radiates through both arms. Should I be scared it really hurts..???

jblackett1 · Answer

I have this. it scares me sometimes. just having blood tests if they come bk clear I've got to have a camera in to take a look. which I defo don't want to have. did you see a doctor and what did he say. thank

AussyKat · Answer

It recently started hapoening to me in both arms when I gag, throw up and cough real hard. It scared me. I was afraid it was heart related. Glad to know I am not alone and it is nerves and muscles. Thanks.

joeykr · Answer

Thanks for the explanation caregiver222! So great to get an answer to this. Super hard coughing like from when I accidentally inhale spittle or food, causes it for me, it is like little electric explosions in my chest, arms, abdomen. It hurts, it is awful. But I have been choking on spittle all my life and have not experienced it until the last couple months. I am 63. I do have arthritis in my lower back. I am just glad to know what it is and that I have not done something to injure myself permanently because the after-pain of it can last a few days, like it really strained something. Then it fades away.

Deanneaw · Answer

I experienced this for the first time. Thanks for the information I thought I was having a heart attack

kathi2161 · Answer

Thanks for the info, this has been happening to me all week. I started with my sinus draining and then the hard coughing starting. I have in the past coughed, but not like this. I have been using mucinex to help clear up the phlem and i am still have coughing fits, but no more phlem.

sheshe666 · Answer

thank you for this explanation ,it fits my symtons to a tee,  i also have spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)so im now wondering  if this is due to the electric shock feelings when i choke or cough deeply, could it be?

ggreg · Answer

Yes, I thought it was lack of oxygen that caused my arms and legs to get that shock thing.  One time it ook me an hour for those to stop hurting.

Mat52 · Answer

I have just experienced this myself.  I have a terrible sinus infection or something.  I have been coughing like crazy... to the point that I feel like I am choking.  This electrical shock thing has started on me.  It is so painful.  I wish I knew how to stop it but you can't.  My coughing is so deep and hard and when I start it is like I can't stop and the shocks are unbearable.  Then afterwards it calms down but my arms just feel heavy. (I guess that is the best way to describe it)  This happened to me a few years ago but only a couple of times during my sickness.  This time... it has happened many many times.  I can't wait until this is over ... it is very painful. 

My electrical shock is my chest, my breast and even up to my nipples... then down my arms. 

I visited a massage therapist yesterday.  She said the muscles in my chest and arms were all knotted up.  She said the muscles spasm during a coughing fit that hard and then it constricts on the nerves to cause this shock.   After the spell massage those areas with my finger tips.  When all the cold/sinus infection is gone... it would be good to go see a chiropractor.  People who usually cough that hard to cause this can move ribs and get all out of whack.  

Thanks for this site so I know I am not the only person that has had this.  I know when I told my husband I could tell.... he thought I was crazy.

LadyScoot · Answer

Thanks. I have actually been doing this as well due to having had a severe sinus infection. I have a sauna in my shower and sit there breathing in the steam. Hot showers also helps clear me.

ggreg · Answer

I'd like to add that this happens to me, too, but for me it has to do with too much pressure on the blood vessels, it kind of radiates and stings thru the network of vessels, you can almost picture it when you cough.  The problem comes from coughing too hard, and this can be from lungs that are way too clogged up with phlegm from a cold or respiratory infection.  I'd like to add to your home care to breathe steamy water, hang a towel over your head at a sink or pot of very hot water, it'll help loosen up the clog in your lungs.  But that's just my experience.

LadyScoot · Answer

Thank you. I will give this a try.

caregiver222 · Answer

Usually there is a narrowing in a space in the spinal column through which a nerve passes. In this case, it is probably in the cervical region.

When you cough the flexure of the head compresses the nerve.

The general drill, if it persists, is an anti-inflamatory for a few days, mild intermittant axial traction, and range of motion exercises.

If it gets worse, you will probably want an MRI, but many times the conditions are self-limiting. It may be arthritic deterioration, but the liklihood is temporary inflammation.

Get an over-the counter cough-suppressant and take ibuprufin for a few days.