Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Alternatives and ALCHEMISTS TENS unit for nerve pain anyone?

I'm going to start using one for small fiber neuropathy in my thighs and feet.

Just wondering if it's helped anyone else out there with nerve pain? I'd love to hear everyone's experiences with these gadgets.

Thanks!

Hi Megan.
I use my one for pain in knees and shoulders as well as neck. I dont know if any of it is nerve pain yet but it seems affective. The only thing I have found is the best relife I get is if I dont put it directly were the pain is I played around and found it better if its slightley away form the worst area. Hope it works for you.
Kevin

Hi Megan,
I'm not sure if my pain is nerve pain, I call mine "undifferentiated fusing spine ouch! pain" but for
what its worth, I use a tens everyday and would not be able to make it through most days at work without it. I think at minimum it helps mask the pain signals to the brain and in doing so helps relax spasms/pain. I would recommend one for anybody with chronic pain or discomfort.

think my pain is a combo of muscle spasms and nerve pain (trigger points and spasming muscles compressing the nerves). the TENS machine didn't do a whole lot for me, but the IF stim machine does seem to help (i think it was karen who called IF stim "TENS on steroids"), but a lot of people have good luck with TENS, so try that first. but if it doesn't work (enough), see if you can get insurance to pay for the IF stim. my doctor is currently battling the insurance company for approval for me to keep my machine. they cover TENS but not IF stim. but the doc is going to tell them that TENS doesn't work for me but IF stim does.

A BIG vote from me for the TENS machine.
I use it on my butt and legs to relieve pain from nerves and muscles. I find it good for sciatica too. Will go to sleep wiht it on some nights and totally flatten the battery!! You have to experiemnt with the positioning, intensity and pulse rates.

Get some rechargeable batteries too as it can get expensive. I have one battery in the machine, one charging and a back up regular battey in cupboard.

Really really hope it gives you relief. If not put it on your friends and turn it up really high and tell them to cantinue their day and thats what AS sort of feels like. JOKING>>>>> (maybe not)

Bren

Hey Megan,

I have my TENS unit on as I sit here and type. I put it on on a daily basis - depending on where I need it most!

It allows me to sit longer to be here on KA, and not regret it when I get up. I also use it when I am cooking dinner, as standing at the end of a busy day *kills* me and makes me a cranky cook! Great for SIJ pain, low back pain, the ribs, the sciatica and pain down the front of my thighs.

Make sure you get a dual channel unit, and one with lots of variables to tweak to get what works best for you. Oh yeah - mine has a 30 & 60 min timer, so I can get off to sleep and not wake in the night with a bit of a nasty shock if I drag on one of the leads when it's still on!

Gotta go to bed, cos I'm working tomorrow, but will come back and put on my physio hat explain more how to use it tomorrow...

Thanks Kevin, I'll try that!

Thanks Greg, I'm still figuring out how to tweak this little gadget. That's great you can wear this at work!

Thanks Sue, unfortunately, the Canadian system doesn't pay for things like this, and my extended Blue Cross plan only pays for drugs.
What is an IF stim machine? I'll have to google it.
I have this TENS unit on a trial loan right now, and if I want it, it's $200! I had no idea they were so pricey. Apparently it's a good one with all sorts of settings and timers on it. Lots to learn.

Ha! Bren, great idea.
My bf was joking around and accidentally cranked it up on me. Wow, who needs coffee. lol So I made my bf wear it and see what it does. It was hilarious to see the faces he made while he was playing with the intensity.

My physio said not to wear it for more than 20 mins a day.... not sure if that's true or as to why he said that.

This machine came with a rechargeable battery, so I think I'll be good for awhile. I hope!