[aloneouthere]

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/01/prweb331257.htm

Seems pretty interesting, but it also seems fishy because it was a study that was conducted by the makers of rebuilder. I've been reading on the forums and I was wondering if anyone has had success with this machine? I know Wing42 has tried it with success, anyone else?

[Megan]

.... pity about the spelling throughout the article though. Tends to lessen its credibility!

[Wing42]

I'm thankful to Rebuilder Medical because the Rebuilder is the first thing that helped my PN, and I still use it. But now I hesitate to recommend it. The Rebuilder works for me, but so does my interferential electric stimulation unit at about 1/4 the cost compared to the Rebuilder 2406 unit or 1/2 the cost of the 3000 unit.

When Rebuilder Medical started, the huckstering and hyperbole on the web site were shameless. Since, the company has toned down its web site, but it's still a one-sided hard sell. Rebuilder Medical has raised the prices of the Rebuilder units tremendously with no relation to assembly cost and way beyond the ability of most to buy it.

To balance out the negativism of the above, my 2401 unit has been dependable with frequent use for about 10 years now, and the company has been wonderfully supportive on the phone, and beyond generous with two upgrades when the company was young.

Its telling that the study did not compare the Rebuilder to other type of electrical stimulation units: TENS, EMS, and interferential. Looking at the large body of animal studies, I think that all would help neuropathic nerves heal, and reduce pain.

It's a hypothesis of mine that daily massage helps sensory PN by 1) increasing blood flow, 2) rhythmically stimulating the nerves, thus overriding abnormal firing with something closer to normal firing...which has a healing effect all the way up the line to the brain, 3) reducing pain through "lateral inhibition" ( http://www.google.com/search?q=%22la...ient=firefox-a ), 4) stimulating the surrounding muscles, which improves muscle tone and continues to have a healing effect. From the research I've read, the type of massage is less critical than the frequency. Massage can be manual, electrical, vibrational, or even possibly with light energy (as in anodyne therapy). The nice thing about electrical stimulation is that once you own the unit, you can do it once or twice a day with only a little hassle and small expense.

I urge all to not give up, fight cynicism and resignation, and try different things that might work for you, including electrical stimulation.

[mrsD]

in epsom salts is helpful without the electrical part.

I've done that for years!

[Wing42]

Originally Posted by mrsd

in epsom salts is helpful without the electrical part.

I've done that for years!

I agree, but the electrical part is also helpful in its own right to promote healing and reduce pain. Check out http://www.google.com/search?q=elect...ient=firefox-a for articles for the lay person and a bunch of sales pitches. For scholarly articles, see http://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=...=1&sa=N&tab=ws

BTW, supplemental magnesium with an absorbable formulation that includes calcium and vitamin D is healing and calming to the entire nervous system. MrsD has a great posting on just that subject.

As a general principle, take enough to do good, but no more. Even herbs and supplements can have detrimental side effects or overdose affects. Too much magnesium/calcium can contribute to kidney stones, which are no joke. If you think your pain is bad now, passing a kidney stone is worse. My boss passed out cold from that pain while talking with me!

[aloneouthere]

So basically, the only reason that you hesitate to recommend is because you can get a just as effective unit at a cheaper cost? I'm just having a hard time trying to find some kind of clinical evidence/ patient testimonies backing things up and it seems like the rebuilder is one of the few that have something about it on the internet.... also epsom salts.. you can buy that separate right?

[mrsD]

sells epsom salts.... This is magnesium sulfate.

You soak your feet with tepid (not hot) water, for at least 1/2 hr.
Use about 1oz to a gallon of water.

[MelodyL]

Hi Mrs. D.

I have a big box of epson salt sitting in the other room. What exactly soaking in epson salts do for PN?

Thanks, Mel

[amit]

I would like to recomand about Aloe MSM gel which help me with my pains.
http://www.aloehealthuk.com/store/pr...sp?product=205

search google for "forever". it is cheaper to buy it directly... (about 20$ I think)

[aloneouthere]

Well, the rebuilder caught my eye mainly because it states that it helps in reversing neuropathy, rather than masking the symptoms. Since I'm still very young (only 23) I'm not interested in taking pres. meds unless I REALLy have to. I'm sure, wing42, that your advice about any kind of massage or tens is just as effective in healing nerves. It just seems like the rebuilder does it better, and faster. They also claim to have a different mechanism than the tens machine. For example, they claim to open up the nerve channels and wake up those nerves by providing massive amounts of blood flow, whereas the tens machine blocks the pain signal. Now, of course, you're the expert on this, not me. Do you feel like the rebuilder has helped you heal or just reduce the pain (mask symptoms)?