i just burst out laughing with what that response was off the doc
my god we put our lives in these people hands scary isn't ?
Believe me.,since the start of my PN i have met some real d... heads that call themselves doctors & specialists, the only real good doctor was my neuro, who doesn't even charge me anything extra to see him in his consulting rooms besides what the goverment allows for a visit.

Well, Mel, I just wrote a long reply pontificating about all my knowledge about TENS, but it somehow got erased. You are so lucky. The short version is: TENS can cause a burn under the electrode if improperly used. Since Alan has a history of poor wound healing on his feet, don't use this unless you get a referral to a physical therapist who can evaluate him and instruct in the proper use. I am worried about his feet, due to his history of skin problems and the fact that he might not be able to feel the TENS burning him. A new wound could be devastating for him.

Thank you my dear. I never ever thought of this.
Tomorrow we see the new podiatrist at Methodist and we will ask him what he thinks of TENS UNITs in general.

What a good point. Never would have thought, that because he is completely numb, that he might get a burn.

But, just to be clear about his wounds healing, or not healing, HE HEALS PERFECTLY FINE. The reason for his foot ulcer is that he has a bone impingement on the bottom of his foot. He has no diabetes so when he heals, HE HEALS PERFECT.

So we have to find out tomorrow if this new guy will consider shaving down the bone, so when his foot ulcer ultimately heals, and he can walk again, that there will be no more bone impingement.

At least we are crossing fingers and toes.

Will update when we come back tomorrow.

And thanks so much for giving me the info about possibly burning his feet. Never would have seen that one coming.

Melody

Machines like TENS are very simple to operate and can really help some types of pain, but seeing Alan can't feel anything in his feet, Dakota brings up a good point, if it got accidentally turned up to the highest setting and left running for who knows how long and Alan couldn't feel anything, this would be a real worry.

I have used my machine up on very high settings when my hip was giving me grief, i never got any burns or anything but there is big differance, i could feel it and i knew when to turn it down, i think playing safe as you are is wise.

I have a Rebuilder, which doesn't seem to benefit me on the other settings. I've been considering using the TENS settings to see whether I can get some muscles going that were deserted by motor function a long time ago, but don't know where to place the pads.

Guess I better get a book?

Would love more information on the unit that is related to accupuncture. What's it called?

rose

Rose, a TENS unit isn't designed to stimulate motor fibers, although it sometimes will a little bit if turned up high and placed just right. There are other units designed to stimulate motor nerves to get muscles going. Since you are getting a return of nerve function, I think a physical therapist could help you if you have insurance coverage for this. A therapist could evaluate you and set you up with an FES unit (Functional Electrical Stimulation) -- those are designed to stimulate motor function.

Well, we just came home from the podiatrist. Alan is now wearing a boot. It's called a CAM WALKER. The doctor also gave us a little tube of regranex. Since I know how expensive this stuff is, we are treating it like gold.

The doctor showed me exactly what to do with Alan every single morning before he puts the boot on. Since I've been dressing this particular foot ulcer for over a year, I think I can do this.

Just came back from drug store where I got more bandages, gauze rolls, etc.

Oh, this boot has a pump on it. The doctor says "Don't use the pump, Alan has neuropathy, and he can't tell if it's too tight", or something to that effect. So we are not using the pump.

Also, I was so engrossed in this new doctor (he took 3 new x-rays of Alan's foot), that I forgot to ask him about the tens unit. Alan goes back next Tuesday. He doesn't think he will need anything shaved. He just said "this thing has to heal completely, so we have to deal with that first". He was very professional. He had an attending resident working under him and you should have seen their faces after they asked Alan "When did you first know you had neuropathy?" I said "oh, let me tell you what happened during that first visit. I explained: "The doctor, diagnosed Alan with neuropathy, then looked at Alan and asked "Alan, have you ever had sex with a vietnamese woman?"

These two guys started to laugh as I told them the story. I continued....The doctor then looked at Alan and said "you think I'm kidding, but I'm not, Alan have you ever had sex with a vietnamese woman? and Alan said something to the effect "are you out of your mind, what kind of question is that to ask in front of my wife?" and the doctor said "I need to know if you ever went to Vietnam because during the Vietnam war, the soldiers had sex with the local women and 20 plus years later, they came down with neuropathy due to syphilis". Well, after assuring his doctor that he never had syphilis, well, it's been 15 years of trying to find out why he has neuropathy.

These two doctors (today), thought that was the most fascinating story they ever heard. It was a very good visit and we are hopeful. As soon as I said CIDP and IVIG, they both went 'OH,,OKAY!!!" It was nice to speak to professionals who knew what CIDP and IVIG is.


So, no more off loading shoe. That was $150 out the window.

Now he is wearing this boot contraption.

Will update.
Melody

Thanks, Dakota.

rose

Duh! Now I see it! I thought Alan was diabetic as well! Now why did I think that? *wanders off to ponder this*

Hi Jarrett:

Alan couldn't care less about socks bunching up or anything. He wants the rubbing to stop.

I think the knee-hi's are a fabulous idea.

I'll buy a pair, in black. and I'll tell him this is a new man-thing for men with shoe boots. Maybe he'll buy my story, maybe he won't. But if he wants another muffin, he better buy it.

lol, Melody