I'm starting a new thread on this because I never even held one in my hand before, let alone used one. I'm not using it because, well, I want to see if Alan lights up like a Christmas Tree or whatever. I have not forgotten what happened to me when the podiatrist used that vibrating planing tool on my toes. UGH!!!

So it's a ProM-300 TENS unit.
I just opened up the manual and said "you've got to be kidding'. I'm afraid I'll electrocute myself with this thing. Reminds me of when, years ago, I purchased a home jacuzzi, portable system, that you hooked up to the side of the tub and plugged it in and it was supposed to turn your bathtub into a whirlpool. I purchased it on my lunch hour and read the office staff what the manual said. There must have been 10 WARNINGs, on the pages. Don't do this, don't do that. So I told them, "if I don't come in tomorrow, I electrocuted myself". Well, I went home, took one look at the thing and said "forget it, I'm not plugging this thing into an electrical socket and stepping into the bathtub". I never used it, BUT, the next day, I got some kind of flu and never went to work and they all called my house thinking I electrocuted myself. I never laughed so hard, even with a headache.

I just opened the manual and it says stuff like Burst Mode, and Modulation Mode. I'm supposed to understand this thing??? Adjust Channel Amplitude.???

This unit was used by my friend's 82 year old mother so if she can do it, I guess we can do it too. I'm reading about pins and lead wires, and sockets (Oh my god).

Uh Oh, it says to use gel. Just checked inside the case and there is no gel. So do I go to a medical supply store and buy the gel???

OY VEY!!!! lol
Melody

I wonder, how difficult is it to get a Tens Unit? Can the doctor write a script for it?

My neurologist wrote mine; and I got a portable Empi unit, with two electrodes that are independently programmable, twelve different pulse patterns, and an intensity scale that ranges from zero to fifty. it runs off a rechargable nickel-cadmium 9-volt "transistor" battery. It's not one of those huge contraptions that one finds in physicl therapy offices, but it is good for what it is.

I originally got it to help with the thigh pain of meralgia parasthetica (a great addition to my neuropathy symptoms), but have used it all over my body. The pads at the end of the electrode wires come with a sticky gel already on them, to aid in the impulse conduction, although that means you can only use the pads a few times each before they lose gel and conductivity. Empi calls me each month to see if I need more sets of pads, and sends them by express mail.

I find the unit effective as long as I am using it--the electrical impulses mask the pain or tingling, as they are conducted to the brain more quickly than those sensations. After I shut the unit down and remove the pads, thouhg, the sensations come back fairly quickly. There are times, however, when they do not, almost as if the pulses have "re-programmed" the fifirng patterns of the nerves in that area. That happens only after really long session (hours), though, and not consistently.

Does this help in the long run too? Or just when the pain is strong? I had thought the clinic I was at was going to have that but they didn't. Melody could you maybe call the doc you work with on how to use it? Maybe even at the medical supply store they would know. Let us know I'm so interested in other treatments.

Well, I can't call the doctor, because he didn't prescribe it. My friend lent it to me for as long as Alan needs it. I thought it would come with gel that you put on because I read something about gel in the litle booklet that comes with it.

Now I read here on these boards that the little pads already have gel on them, really??? Didn't know that.

I'm scared to death to use this item. I know Alan, he'll pick up the book, take a look at all the instructions, the diagrams, the electrode info, the lead wire info, the amplitude info (I have no idea what these things are), and he'll hand me the stuff and say "here, Melody, you put this on me"

See, this is a man who points a remote at the cable box, and when it doesn't work, yells for me and says 'why can't I change the channel,?? and I look at him, burst out laughing, and say "you can't change the channel on the cable box, because you are pointing the VCR remote at it". He goes "oh,".

So believe me, if I dont' understand this and find out how it works, Alan will never use it. Or, even if he does, he'll light himself up like a christmas tree".

Dr. Theirl once told us he would lend us a unit if we so desired.

I was hoping one of you learned people who have used this would gently guide me in the process. For my first question, do I go out and buy gel, or do the pads actually have gel on them, (and how do I find this out?)

I really can't understand how this could help with pain, but Alan said "It redirects the pain signals to the brain". See, he might not know how to use remotes, but he does understand pain receptors.. lol.

Will update all of you. Melody

Mel,
I had the TENS treatments before, for a fractured finger
(that never healed right & is still 'bent').
You use the lowest settings for pulse and intensity, then gradually increase them until you feel a 'tingle' & is not uncomfortable.
Stay at those settings - or back off 1 setting.
You may want to play around at the pulse rate, but never more than is comfortable. Keep it going for anywhere from 5-10 mins to 1 hour and see if you get relief.
The pads have 'sticky-backs' gel is not necessary.
Hairy areas should be shaved for best stick/contact.

Melody, I'll get the name of the special conductive gel tomorrow when I go in for a TENS treatment. Of course, no gel is used when the pads are used underwater (in separate compartments of twin cleaning bucket).
Cal

Hi Melody,
"Spectra 360 Electrode Gel Ref 12-08" is what my therapist uses. It's made by Parker Laboratories, Fairfield, NJ 07004. Available several places on the Web for about $5 a tube. (Smaller size also available.)
- Cal -