Trying a TENS

[peekawho]

This week in Peekawho news, the PT girl gave me a TENS to use at home.  I was going to do acupuncture next, but since I have this, I'll give it a try first.  

I don't like to do two new therapies at once, since there is no way to judge effectiveness.  

So this week, it's TENS.  Next week, acupuncture.

[namnam46]

Peek,

I'm glad that you are getting relief from your tens.  Like I said it worked GREAT for my husband. His pain was ALL Diabetic Neuropathy. It actually made it TOTALLY go away.  I'm glad that they have gone down in price.  Back in the '80's, when we bought his, they were in the 250 to 300 range. It's wonderful that they have gone down so much in price. It makes it MUCH more doable for people without insurance.

I hope that the acupuncture will be of help to you also.

Please keep us updated on your findings......Sherry

[peekawho]

Check amazon.  NOT $300!  Closer to $100.  Some far less.  Research, read reviews there.  

I'm not giving acupuncture years to work.  Maybe 3-5 visits.

My PM said that TENS works well for some not at all for others.  Most get "some" relief, from minimal to moderate.  The majority of my pain is neuropathic pain, but rarely is pain purely neuropathic.  It's most often got multiple components..that's why you can't make a blanket statement that one therapy "doesn't work" for neuropathic pain.  

One way you can get a free trial is to request one from PT if you do PT.  You can use one while they run it through insurance.  Then, when they deny it, just return it.    If you found it worthwhile, return it and research buying through amazon.   Don't buy the one they let you trial if it's over $100...they are overpriced.  
If it doesn't help you, just return it, no harm, no foul.

[opus88]

I am wondering IF it works at all for neuropathic pain?....a PM I was seeing said NO it wouldn't, I've gone the acupuncture route for years Peek with no real results....keep us updated.....BTW, my insurance won't cover any of the costs so $300 is alot to pay for me esp. if the results aren't that great....♥

[atonicat]

Without insurance mine would have been $300. My insurance paid half. That came with the TENS unit, 4 packs of electrodes (4 electrodes to a pack), batteries and a carrying case.

[peekawho]

My PT gave it to me.  Of course it's pending approval from insurance, but you get two weeks free trial.  If insurance won't pay, you have the option to return it, or pay.

I've seen them on amazon, most for around $100 or less.  

After using it for a few days..mixed review.  It's helpful, minimally.  But enough so that I'll likely pay for it if insurance doesn't.

You do have to factor in the cost of the reusable electrodes.  Prices vary.  They can also be ordered via amazon.

[opus88]

Where did you buy yours from Peek?

[Ashelen]

Peek I am SOOO happy that it's helping you!!! I wiki'd TENS unit to get more info on it and I found something that I think you'll be amused by...the description of the earliest history of it:

"Electrical stimulation for pain control was used in ancient Greece, 63 A.D. It was reported by Scribonius Largus that pain was relieved by standing on an electrical fish at the seashore.[3] "

Mere happenstance has brought such a bizarre technique through the ages to help our very own Peek and other members...how wonderful! and silly, hee hee.

[peekawho]

It is helping, definitely.  They arent very expensive, either.

[medic673]

stay with your TENS unit i wish i had 1

[namnam46]

Hi Peek,

I'm really glad that you are trying the TENS Unit.  Before My Hubby passed away 13 years ago, he had the TENS to help with the Diabetic Neuropathy in his legs.  It made a TREMENDOUS difference for him and allowed him to work about 5 years longer than he would have been able too without the Unit.

I hope it gives you the same relief that he received from it!!!

Wishing ONLY the BEST for you,........Sherry

[atonicat]

I carry my TENS with my everywhere. It only helps me while it's on because it makes my brain think of something besides the pain. I can only have it on pretty low though, it's really painful for me when it's turned up high.