[cwc000]

Salsen,
For some reason I couldn't post to "Trying Anodyne". I too have purchased
the Anodyne Therapy. I rented the home unit for a three month trial.
It worked and I have purchased the home unit. I just wish more
members would give it a try. Medicare does not cover the unit but
I believe you can pay it out over time.

ANODYNE THERAPY 1-800- 521- 6664
ALLISON EXT. 126
or members can visit Anodyne Therapy on the website.

It has done nothing for the numbness. I can learn to live with this
and lack of balance but I don't think I could live with the pain.
This PN really lowers your quality of life but we will all perservere.
Hugs to all!
Carolyn

[rose]

Maybe things have changed, but when my aunt and mother had treatments a few years ago Medicare covered a series of 12 treatments including physical therapy. At that time it was important that the doc prescribe for certain things (check with Anodyne to see what the current situation is).

It was extremely helpful for both, and my aunt bought a unit.

Anodyne has been demonstrated to lessen falls, aid in healing, promote circulation, etc.

Definitely worth a good shot, at least 12 sessions.

rose

[salsen]

A few years back Medicare did pay for treatment but they no longer do. I am just sucking it up and paying out of pocket although I hope to be re-imbursed partially by my insurance. I agree the treatment does not change the numbness and tingling but it is helping the non stop pain I have had for eight years. I am also able to reduce my medicine load to Naproxen during the day and one Loritab at night. Not being on so many medications has helped too.

Maybe if it begins to work for more and more people it will become a recognized treatment by the insurance industry. Think in the long run this would be more cost effective for them.

[Jomar]

Can you buy the machine- so you don't have ongoing costs of going to treatments.

Or have you tried Low Level laser or cold laser ?
- It's a light just like Anodyne {LEDs} but the laser light is more powerful and can go deeper into the tissues.

http://www.laser.nu/lllt/Faq1.htm

some of the FAQs from the site -
Q: Does LLLT cause a heating of the tissue?

A: Due to increased circulation there is usually an increase of 0.5-1 centigrades locally. The biological effects have nothing to do with heat. GaAlAs lasers in the 300-500 mW range will cause a noticable heat sensation, particularly in hairy areas and on sensitive tissues such as lips..


Q: Does it have to be a laser? Why not use monochromatic non coherent light?

A: Monochromatic non coherent light, such as light from LED's can be useful for superficial tissues such as wounds. In comparative studies, however, lasers have shown to be more effective than monochromatic non coherent light sources. Non coherent light will not be as effective in deeper areas.


Q: Does the coherence of the laser light disappear when entering the tissue?

A: No. The length of coherence, though, is shortened. Through interference between laser rays in the tissue, very small "islands" of more intense light, called speckles occur. These speckles will be created as deep as the light reaches in the tissue and within a speckle volume, the light is partially polarized. It is easy to show that speckles are formed rather deep down in tissue and the existence of real speckles prove that the light is coherent.

[rose]

Another thing to consider. The physical therapy portion (which medicare then required) was the expensive part. An RN friend of mine has found Anodyne therapy alone, which she paid something like $10 or $15 per session.

rose