Has anyone tried using the TENS machine on their neuropathy ?
I weaned myself off gabapentin and I have been on everything else so my neuro gave me a scrip for pt with a TENS machine.

Before I invest I wanted to know if it helped anyone.
Thanks
Carol

--for about ten years now, mostly for my meralgia parasthetica attacks of the right thigh, but also for symptoms in other areas occasionally.

I find it helps mask/block pain and parastheses while it is on and in use, but it doesn't tend to have any longer effect--when I turn it off those symptoms if there will return. I do know of people who have had longer term salutary effects with TENS units, though. An individual trial might be the only way to tell how effective it will be for you.

My experience is similar, except the TENS replaces my usual (I almost said 'normal' ) parastheses with it's own flavor/variety.

_____

Doc

Hi Carol,

I was prescribed a TENS unit and my insurance picked up the entire tab.

It did not provide relief for me but that is not to say it won't for another person.

If you could try it without "investing" , that would be a great way to see if it will be effective for you. You mentioned a script for PT? Maybe they will have one for you to try before you buy.

I have Tens but how is it used on the neuropathy? Where are pads placed
I believe now you can buy Tens without a prescription There is a product called Aurawave they advertise on QVC I have one but have not used it much
For those that have used it for PN how is it used? Where would you place the pads?? I was reading that sorry can't think of the name now another unit people have used for PN sounds like nothing more then TENS used in water

--device you are referring to is the Rebuilder, which, like many therapies discussed here and elsewhere, had a vogue for a while, did benefit some people, but wasn't consistently beneficial across all types of situations.

It was basically an electrically enhanced magnesium salt bath for the feet. Certainly the biochemcial idea was interesting, in that the functioning of the nervous system is electrical, but the results were rather mixed, and the unit was rather expensive.

As far as TENS placement goes, that is very individual. Some people like to place the pads right on their painful areas, others slightly above them to get the current/vibrational effects moving down and through the area of pain. You'll probably have to play with the placement to find what works optimally for you.

Icy hot makes a new pain relief patch which is a tens.... about 30-40 dollars. Uses a button battery and I hear it wears out fast.

Omron also has an OTC Tens on Amazon for about $30. It uses AAA bats which you can buy rechargeables for. This one has pads and wires, the Icy Hot does not.

When I was in PT a few years ago the therapist told me TENs do not "heal" but IFc does. I was receiving IFc for a tendon injury.
Somehow IFc (inferential current) changes nerves and heals.
IFc usually has 4 pads, and TENs 2.

TENs only mask pain, which returns after it is used.

You can Google TENs placement and find sites that show where to place the pads if you get that type.

I think Lidoderm patches are very good for PN pain. They were developed for the nerve pain left by shingles. But you have to place them in the right spot...if placed wrong there is usually no relief. I've used them for many years. (on and off for flares)
They put my MP pain into remission after 2 weeks.

Thank goodness for lidocaine patches. I've really have been in a flare up. I wear them on my forearms and biceps area every night. When things get bad for me my arms feel like they itch really bad. I end up getting bruises and cuts from scratching like crazy. I can't sleep without the patches.

Just heard about a new over the counter TENS unit on the market made by NeuroMetrix who makes the prescription SENSUS TENS pain management system. It was named one of the 25 Hot Products of 2015 at the recent Consumer Electronics Show, and was one of four Best of Show candidates in the health and fitness category. It's much more expensive than the Icy Hot one, but apparently is twice as powerful and is even FDA approved for use at night.

It comes with a 60 day money back guarantee in case you're one of the people it doesn't help. At $250, that's helpful.

I'm trying to understand why someone would go OTC to get the device when a doc could write a prescription for the other one and at least have it goes towards your deductible or get partial payment for it. Are docs stingy with the scripts for TENS units, or are they not covered for things like SFN?


An article on it:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/28648...l-opiates.html

The website:

http://www.quellrelief.com/product/

My Chiro put me on a TENS but my knees were on fire from either inflammation ot trauma. You might buy a trial run from a Chiro and evaluate for purchase. It helped me greatly but I don't think my stmptoms were from Neuropathy. Good Luck, Ken in Texas.