besides pain medicine

[catwoman64]

Has anyone here ever try a Tens Unit?  I wore one for about 2 years and it really helped and all i was taking at the time was Ultram.  Its like a little box you wear on your side and has wires and electrodes that you stick on where ever you are hurting.  I know alot of insurance companies and medicare and medicaid will pay for this device.  They are very expensive.  My insurance paid about 600.00 for mine.... ridicolous!  Just would like to know if anyone else has tried this and if not maybe give it a try if you can!

[sandee1818]

I have not tried ice and heat. When I had my nerve conduction test I thought I would die from the pain. The nerves that were damaged were not as painful. I think the tens unit or anything of that nature just causes me more pain, I can't stand to keep it on.

[Red931]

Mine was about 150.00 also but you do not need a prescription for one in NJ. I buy my replacement electrodes from my physical therapist at cost so it is not much to maintain it.

I am surprised that two of you have not had success with them. Have you tried applying ice or heat at the same time as the stimulation? I really believe that it makes a difference.

[sandee1818]

I too have had the tens unit. Mine was around 150.00 dollars but I could not handle it at all. It made me worse and made me itch terribly.
Anytime you are paying cash for prescriptions always ask for a cash price. You do need a prescription for the unit here.

[nick30]

I tried one, it didn't help at all. not really much to say unfortunately.

Nick.

[Red931]

I use a TENS Unit regularly. My insurance did not pay for it though, I had to take the money out of my own pocket but it was worth it.

I find that when the stimulation is applied at the same time with ice or heat it is more effective. I believe that using these methods has helped me keep my dosage of pain medication at a relatively low level without having to increase it over an extended period of time.