Finally got my TENS Unit - Pain Management Message Board

hedycarter1 · 04-15-2004, 05:18 PM

Hi All,

It's been awhile since I posted. I have been having a very hard time just making it thru the day. I finally got my Tens Unit. Yay..

Does anyone else here have experience with one? Or should I say have you had any luck in it reducing your pain?

PT does not seem to be helping much, although the traction feels good at the time.

My meds are still the same and at this point the neurontrin seems to not be working as well anymore...

Thanks!

Hedy

jhmitch · 04-15-2004, 06:37 PM

Hello Hedy!

I'm not sure what type you have but I bought an EPIX VT dual-channel TENS and use it when my back or knee pain is getting ugly. It has 12 different pulse options but I usually stay with the "Continuous" setting. The other ones (like "Cycled burst" and "random modulation" feel weird).

Does it help? Yes, when the pain is really bad but I've found it isn't for very long term relief. However, I met a woman at physical therapy who ran hers (for her spinal injury) whenever she had to do housework (she had a pocket sized model, like mine) and would use it for hours at a time. Seemed to work fine for her.

My guess is that it depends on the type of pain one has. (I've got osteoarthritis of the back and knees, adhesions, fibromyalgia and neuropathy of the legs). For me, I'd need about four tens units to cover all my painful areas at once - LOL!

Best wishes for some good pain relief with yours!

Janice

carol632 · 04-15-2004, 07:24 PM

I used a TENS for about a week...it didn't help at all. I have stenosis, too, and the L4-5 nerve root is trapped in scar tissue. No way can that unit help that kind of pain. What is your doctor saying? With your arm pain you describe, I would think you have some nerve impingement, too. If left too long, it can cause permanent damage. I assume you have seen a spine specialist already...have you gotten a second opinion? Are the meds you take keeping the pain under control?

I hope you get some relief with your TENS...but I wouldn't let too much time go by without looking into doing something about the cervical problem. Good luck.

Carol

hedycarter1 · 04-16-2004, 09:59 AM

Hi Carol and Janice,

Yes I do have nerve inpinchment, c5-6, as well a formainal narrowing and a buldging disk. I am seeing a spine specialist. We did a ESi and it made my pain worse for a couple of weeks and then no change..

My meds only help a little, I stay at pain level aound a 6 with my meds 7+ with out them. PT has not help much.

I really don't want to have surgery if I can help it...

I can't tell if the tens unti is helping or not, I used it last night, it seemed to help with the muscle spams I get but not with the other pain( stabbing and burning)

Well see, I see by Pm doc again in a couple of weeks. My GP is the one who perscribes my meds, she is great but I am afarid to ask to go any higher w/ the vicodin.

I think that when I see my spine doc I will ask him about my meds and see if he will try to adjust them, and them my Gp can just continue the rx.

Thanks for responding !

jhmitch · 04-19-2004, 11:56 AM

Hello Hedy!

I'm sorry to hear that the TENS isn't relieving the stabbing and burning pains you are experiencing. However, like you, I found my TENS to be best for muscle spasms (especially in my back).

For the pain in my knees, however, I was referred to a fibro-friendly physical therapist who used laser light therapy. At first, I was doubtful about whether or not this would work. After 12 treatments using both laser and electrical stimulation, however, I'm now able to walk without my cane or rollator. This (combination) treatment did more for my knee pain than the TENS (by itself) or anything else.

Sure wish you could find something that would give you a similar type of pain relief for your back as I found for my knees.

Wishing you the most pain-free day possible!