I just want to share what happened yesterday. My lovely sister in law bought a Smart Relief Tens Unit (the one that Shaquille O'Neal demonstrates in his videos). My husband and I both have arthritis, sciatica (he has bad PN too). So it arrived yesterday. It is so small and easy to use, I took one look at this little gadget and said out loud "this little thing isn't going to do anything"

You stick on the electrode gizmo to the pad. You peel off the backing. You just press the thing anyplace where you have pain. Obviously not the face, or heart or directly on the spine, but on the sciactic part going down the butt, or on the knees.

I tried it on my husband first. Stupid me forgot to pull out the little plastic strip that prevents the battery from being used before the first time it's supposed to be used. Once I realized this, I simply slipped the little plastic thing that was between the battery and the unit, pressed the on button, the little green light came on and I put it on Alan's back (off to the side). This little thing has 63 variations of intensity. He felt nothing. I was doing everything right. He felt nothing. I then took it off and put it on my back. Once it's off, and you turn it on, you just keep hitting the PLUS button and then BINGO, you feel exactly as if you are in a therapist's office and they are doing their own tens unit on you. It goes off by itself after 30 minutes.

So I then took it off and put it on my knee (which is bad). Pressed the on button and BAM, this little thing started doing it's thing. So while it did nothing for Alan (and I have no idea why), it is PERFECT for me, my back and my knees. I'll make a video and post it here.

Melody

I wonder how long the battery lasts?
more info on Smart TENS - http://www.smartrelief.com/faqs/

If someone is sitting most of the time, a TENS or IF stim with a AC adapter (plug in) will work nicely and not use so many batteries.

I think these kind of things are great, no side effects..
I have had my IF stim since 2011- ( $90.00 on Amazon back then)

There are reviews that the button type batteries do not last long at all. (on Amazon)

Hi there. Here's the video I made. As you can see, I can't tell if it's on or off in the first few seconds. It was on, I turned it off, (thinking it was on) then I finally got it right. The darn thing is buzzing and right now it's on my knee and I'm buzzing away. I also tried it on Alan again. I ramped it up to it's highest potential and Alan only felt a slight tingling (on his back). I tried his knee, same thing. So for whatever reason, it does nothing while it's on Alan, but on me, IT'S FABULOUS. Here is the video. Oh, the brochure says it should last for up to 30 (30 second) sessions before you have to replace the battery (which is like a watch battery). The pad keeps it's adhesive cohesion for quite a while. Then I guess you buy replacement pads. But let me tell you, this thing is fabulous.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uXp...ature=youtu.be

Hi All,

Please note that TENS machines must NOT be used by people with Epilepsy, certain Heart Conditions or Pacemakers.

Dave.

It says that right on the packaging. But it's a good point to say again.

Mel

Melody,
It's why I had to stop - heart attack in '08. The same goes for the electropulse 'Ab-belts' and the like.

Dave.

Hi Melody,
Thanks for the video!

Like Alan, I have difficulty feeling some of these types of sensations. My limitations in feeling these are due to neuropathies.
My failure to feel the sensation does not mean the modality is not doing whatever it is meant to do.

For instance, when applying topicals with menthol, camphor, etc, other people will tell me certain formulations give them very strong sensations for hours. I feel no sensation. Yet, some formulations still work on deeper pain even though I feel no immediate sensation (on my skin).

I enjoy your posts very much!

With Gratitude,
DejaVu

Hi there.

Thanks so much for the kind words. As if Alan didn't have enough to deal with, one of his crowns fell out this morning. So Monday, we shall go to the dentist (I posted a link to what it looks like) on the Dentistry forum. Thank god for these forums. It's always good to check in and see what the latest is. I don't post too much because Alan takes up a great deal of my time but that's what being a wife is. I'll tell you one thing. Thank god we have separate beds. Because of his neuropathy he is ALWAYS jerking his feet. He resembles a person with Parkinson. I asked him "Are YOU doing that, or does your leg do it by itself":? His response was "Have you ever had your hand fall asleep on you and then you shake it to make it stop?" I said 'Oh, yes, I remember years ago, when I must have compressed a nerve someone in my wrist or my hand and it was buzzing and I shook it awake and it all stopped". Alan said 'that's why I do it'. So....I got my answer

But he's in another bed across the room and sometimes in the middle of the night I see him shaking his legs and even in his sleep he gets no peace.

Someone better legalize the drug laws in NY so that he will have access to what he needs to have access to. That's all I can say

Thanks again, Melody

Oh, wow, my heart goes out to both of you.

I do know some of what it's like to deal with multiple conditions. It's very trying. I deal with sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy (neuropathy affects both sensory and motor nerves), and Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA), and a neuromuscular condition- "myotonia." (Also several other diagnoses; yet, these three are more than enough to mention.)

I usually end up moving to a different bedroom. I am often in pain, in severe spasm, jerking limbs -- esp. spastic feet/ankles in the night. If my feet get cool at all, they go into severe spasms. I am forever readjusting sheets, positions, pillows, getting more medication and/or putting on more topical lotion for added relief.
Our sleep schedules can be very different.

My DH (dear husband) is so helpful and compassionate. I am very lucky!
At the same time, he has a very demanding job and he needs his sleep.

I have somewhat of an idea of what it might be like for you and Alan.

Oh, darn, who needs a dental emergency on top of all else?

My best to you and to Alan!

Warmly,
DejaVu