Hi all, I have just joined this is my first post. I have Fibro/CFS etc. I have a problem with electricity. I get zapped by the car door, metal objects in supermarkets, hospitals etc. Sometimes it is worse than at other times. Anybody else have this problem ? MissyG

Hi MissyG,

Welcome to the forums

I have suffered from CFS for almost 18 years since I was 12. It sounds like you are hypersensitive to static electricity which I have to admit is something I have not experienced or read about in connection with CFS and fibro. Perhaps others experience this?

What is often found alongside CFS/fibro is electrical hypersensitivity (EHS) which tends to exacerbate symptoms when people are close to electromagnetic fields given off by computers, mobile phones, power lines etc. It can also occur on its own and cause symptoms similar to CFS/fibro including fatigue, aches and pains, and cognitive dysfunction.

More information on electrical hypersensitivity

It is known that people with CFS/fibro have hypersensitive nervous systems which causes a lot of the fatigue and brain fog as we are overwhelmed with information/stimuli. It also makes us more sensitive to pain. I can only assume it has resulted in you being extra sensitive to static electricity as well so you frequently get \"zapped\"!

Do you currently wear gloves or do anything to avoid it happening?

Hopefully others will have more experience with this than I do. Sorry I can't be of more help!<br /><br />Post edited by: Maff, at: 2009/01/19 17:30

Thanks for your comments Maff. I don't tend to get zapped by things all the time, it seems to come and go and often happens when I least expect it. I must sure look funny if anyone saw me try to lift a can of dog food off the shopping centre shelf and as soon as I touch it it zaps me and my hand flies back !. I avoid synthetic clothes, wear leather shoes and pick up cans and open metal doors with a part of my clothing. That must look wierd too !. Never mind it's the least of my problems. I am not sure if I am hypersensitive to electromagnetic fields but I am aware of it and try to reduce exposure when I can. MissyG

Hi,
I've just joined the group here. I suffer from MCS and I can relate to your question Missyq. I get zap from electrical stoves, car doors, bars... If i walk under a street light it turns off or on. this also happens in stores. My family thinks this is amusing. They will go into a store and wait to see it happen and sure enough 9 out of 10 times the light in which i'm closest to turns on or off or flickers.

I've never looked into it and I feel embarrassed mentioning it to others. but to know someone else is experiencing similar is reassuring that there are others and I'm not alone.<br /><br />Post edited by: Roz, at: 2009/01/20 15:29

Hi Roz, great to see your reply, thanks. Yes I have been known on some days to have other reactions to electrical appliances. Sometimes several light globes in my house blow in one day, I have set off car alarms shop alarms and start dodgy speakers working. People I know are used to it happening which is great as long as I do no harm to anyone, or me !. Someone I knew was able to effect the electronics in her car and had to be grounded (there is actually a device for this) so the car wouldn't keep stopping !. Not good on the freeway.Keep safe, G