question for those who have used a TENS unit for pain management

[Bertha Venation]

Am I doing something wrong?

If I have it turned up high enough even to touch the pain, I can't stand the shocks to my skin!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. Careful with a TENS

You can overstimulate sensory nerves.
Where are you using it? Back? Neck? Extremity?

On edit: If TNS isn't doing the trick, talk to your doc about an interferential unit...same concept but works on muscle stimulation rather than nerves with different waves of current.

[Bertha Venation]

2. back

Lower left, just above my ass. The L5-S1 joint is fubar with arthritis.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

3. Try having Mrs. Venation move the electrodes

to areas less sensitive..experiment with moving them and try the mildest tolerable current for the longest time.

Sorry for your pain.

[Bertha Venation]

4. thanks

Today one fell off, and when I tried to reposition it it shocked the hell out of my fingers. I'd forgotten to turn the damned thing off.

It's so much fun being me!

[dmr]

11. I use the TENS

I've 6 ruptured discs, and the pain for each disc is constant and horrible. I started to use TENS earlier this month. I primarily apply the TENS for the L5-S1 disc because it seems as if the meds refuse to work there, though I know I'm in pass out stage if I don't take them. Like NSMA said find a place that is less sensitive and you won't have the shocks. Press the pads on well to keep them from falling off. I don't take mine off until they're ready to fall off. Try not to turn it up so high either.

I tell you what, the TENS is like a miracle. One day, not long ago, all my meds (Ibuprofen, Vicoden and Time-released Morphine) just would not take the edge off (big weather change, and the barometric was off the wall, ever-changing). I put that TENS on, and voila, I was able to have some semblance of life quality around the house. With the TENS, I am able to sit, stand and lay down for longer lengths of time before having to change position - that in itself is a dream.

How long did your doctor tell you you can keep it turned on? My pain specialist said I can run it constantly, if needed, though I don't.

Good luck to you, we can comiserate together. < sigh >

[CO Liberal]

12. I Use Mine 12 Hours a Day

I put it on before I leave home in the morning, and usually take it off as soon as I get home. Usually by then, the electrodes are starting to itch.

[SoCalDem]

5. My son used one for his football injury.. It "saved" his arm muscles

He had a Brachial Plexus injury and his right arm was paralyzed from the back of his neck, across the shoulder and his whole arm.. He had mobility of the mid-hand and fingers.. It took months, but the damaged nerve regenerated, and the muscle stimulation from the shock-thingie kept the arm "alive".. He made a 95% recovery, but it took about 16 months..

We rented one from the pharmacy. (not covered by insurance) for $108.00 a month.. Bastards.. after we were done renting it, they had the nerve to ask if we wanted to buy one for $299.00.. Of course they did not offer us the option of buying it when we first went there..

It was a passive galvanic neuro stimulator... different from a tens.. but it was very effective
________________________________________________________links for you

Institute for Spinal Disorders - Nonsurgical Treatments
... Galvanic stimulators apply direct current to the injured area in contrast to TENS
and ... therapists at the Institute use a combination of passive physical therapy ...
www.csmc.edu/515.html - 40k - Cached - Similar pages

Interferential Stimulator SD
High Voltage Galvanic Stimulator. ... 2) One lead wire, 3 lead-2 actives, 1 passive
( SK42 ) 3) 4-AA batteries f optional.) 4) U/L approved wall plug adapter 5 ...
www.ycyhealth.com/products/tens/HV001.shtml - 17k - Cached - Similar pages

Advanced Medical Group offers the following products
... HVPGS, High Volt Pulsed Galvanic Stimulator Use of ... Transcutaneus Electrical Nerve
Stimulator Symptomatic relief ... Kinetec® CPM, Continuous Passive Motion Device ...
www.advancedmedicalgroup.com/default.asp?Product=list - 15k - Cached - Similar pages

Oxford Medical (SM) - Expert Solutions for Healthcare Providers
... solutions enable you to effectively transition your patients from passive therapy
to ... Hi-Volt Galvanic Stimulator. Contact us to learn more about our solutions ...
www.oxford-medical-group.com/ services.asp?servicesId=690 - 14k - Cached - Similar pages

[gWbush is Mabus]

6. LOOK INTO Neuromodulation

Both Medtronic and Advanced Neuromodulation Systems make

implatable drug pumps for chronic pain and SPINAL-CORD STIMULATION devices for chronic pain

especially for back pain

[TrogL]

7. Is it any good for back pain?

Ank has a back problem

http://www.inlandneuro.org/spondylosis_spondylolisthesis_full.htm

that leaves him in constant pain.

[Bertha Venation]

8. Yes, it does work, but I have to turn it up

pretty high for it to be effective.

If Ank is thinner than I, he might have better results. Because I wonder if the stim doesn't get through the fat. :eyes:

[TrogL]

9. Meaningless? Useless?

http://clinical.uthscsa.edu/handouts/ortho/backpain.pdf

In don't understand what he's trying to say when he says spondylosis is "meaningless" in adults.

[CO Liberal]

10. I Had to Experiment With Mine

After a week or two, i discovered the best places to stick the electrodes so they do the most good. Basically, they wind up just under the waistband for by briefs.

I also had to start using larger electrodes. When I first got my unit, they provided 2-inch round electrodes that slid off in hot weather. When I complained, they substituted 2x4-inch electrodes, which work much better.

[frylock]

13. guess it depends on your threshold for pain..

I used to beg my PT to crank it up all the way while rehabbing my knee.

[geniph]

14. TENS and I don't get along

I never could remember to be still when I was lying on it, and would always end up fidgeting and coming up off the pads and getting the living bejesus shocked out of me. I did not find that therapeutic (I HATE electric shock, hate it hate it hate it). I had much better response to a combination of ultrasound and heat.

You may not be doing it long enough at a time, though - turn it down but leave it on for much longer and see if that helps at all.