Smart Relief Tens Unit
 

I just want to share what happened yesterday. My lovely sister in law bought a Smart Relief Tens Unit (the one that Shaquille O'Neal demonstrates in his videos). My husband and I both have arthritis, sciatica (he has bad PN too). So it arrived yesterday. It is so small and easy to use, I took one look at this little gadget and said out loud "this little thing isn't going to do anything"

You stick on the electrode gizmo to the pad. You peel off the backing. You just press the thing anyplace where you have pain. Obviously not the face, or heart or directly on the spine, but on the sciactic part going down the butt, or on the knees.

I tried it on my husband first. Stupid me forgot to pull out the little plastic strip that prevents the battery from being used before the first time it's supposed to be used. Once I realized this, I simply slipped the little plastic thing that was between the battery and the unit, pressed the on button, the little green light came on and I put it on Alan's back (off to the side). This little thing has 63 variations of intensity. He felt nothing. I was doing everything right. He felt nothing. I then took it off and put it on my back. Once it's off, and you turn it on, you just keep hitting the PLUS button and then BINGO, you feel exactly as if you are in a therapist's office and they are doing their own tens unit on you. It goes off by itself after 30 minutes.

So I then took it off and put it on my knee (which is bad). Pressed the on button and BAM, this little thing started doing it's thing. So while it did nothing for Alan (and I have no idea why), it is PERFECT for me, my back and my knees. I'll make a video and post it here.

Melody

I wonder how long the battery lasts?
more info on Smart TENS - http://www.smartrelief.com/faqs/

If someone is sitting most of the time, a TENS or IF stim with a AC adapter (plug in) will work nicely and not use so many batteries.

I think these kind of things are great, no side effects..
I have had my IF stim since 2011- ( $90.00 on Amazon back then)

There are reviews that the button type batteries do not last long at all. (on Amazon)

Hi there. Here's the video I made. As you can see, I can't tell if it's on or off in the first few seconds. It was on, I turned it off, (thinking it was on) then I finally got it right. The darn thing is buzzing and right now it's on my knee and I'm buzzing away. I also tried it on Alan again. I ramped it up to it's highest potential and Alan only felt a slight tingling (on his back). I tried his knee, same thing. So for whatever reason, it does nothing while it's on Alan, but on me, IT'S FABULOUS. Here is the video. Oh, the brochure says it should last for up to 30 (30 second) sessions before you have to replace the battery (which is like a watch battery). The pad keeps it's adhesive cohesion for quite a while. Then I guess you buy replacement pads. But let me tell you, this thing is fabulous.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uXp...ature=youtu.be

Hi All,

Please note that TENS machines must NOT be used by people with Epilepsy, certain Heart Conditions or Pacemakers.

Dave.

It says that right on the packaging. But it's a good point to say again.

Mel

Melody,
It's why I had to stop - heart attack in '08. The same goes for the electropulse 'Ab-belts' and the like.

Dave.

Hi Melody,
Thanks for the video! :D

Like Alan, I have difficulty feeling some of these types of sensations. My limitations in feeling these are due to neuropathies.
My failure to feel the sensation does not mean the modality is not doing whatever it is meant to do.

For instance, when applying topicals with menthol, camphor, etc, other people will tell me certain formulations give them very strong sensations for hours. I feel no sensation. Yet, some formulations still work on deeper pain even though I feel no immediate sensation (on my skin).

I enjoy your posts very much!:D

With Gratitude,
DejaVu

Hi there.

Thanks so much for the kind words. As if Alan didn't have enough to deal with, one of his crowns fell out this morning. So Monday, we shall go to the dentist (I posted a link to what it looks like) on the Dentistry forum. Thank god for these forums. It's always good to check in and see what the latest is. I don't post too much because Alan takes up a great deal of my time but that's what being a wife is. I'll tell you one thing. Thank god we have separate beds. Because of his neuropathy he is ALWAYS jerking his feet. He resembles a person with Parkinson. I asked him "Are YOU doing that, or does your leg do it by itself":? His response was "Have you ever had your hand fall asleep on you and then you shake it to make it stop?" I said 'Oh, yes, I remember years ago, when I must have compressed a nerve someone in my wrist or my hand and it was buzzing and I shook it awake and it all stopped". Alan said 'that's why I do it'. So....I got my answer

But he's in another bed across the room and sometimes in the middle of the night I see him shaking his legs and even in his sleep he gets no peace.

Someone better legalize the drug laws in NY so that he will have access to what he needs to have access to. That's all I can say

Thanks again, Melody

Oh, wow, my heart goes out to both of you.:grouphug:

I do know some of what it's like to deal with multiple conditions. It's very trying. I deal with sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy (neuropathy affects both sensory and motor nerves), and Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA), and a neuromuscular condition- "myotonia." (Also several other diagnoses; yet, these three are more than enough to mention.)

I usually end up moving to a different bedroom. I am often in pain, in severe spasm, jerking limbs -- esp. spastic feet/ankles in the night. If my feet get cool at all, they go into severe spasms. I am forever readjusting sheets, positions, pillows, getting more medication and/or putting on more topical lotion for added relief.
Our sleep schedules can be very different.

My DH (dear husband) is so helpful and compassionate. I am very lucky! :)
At the same time, he has a very demanding job and he needs his sleep.:)

I have somewhat of an idea of what it might be like for you and Alan.

Oh, darn, who needs a dental emergency on top of all else? :eek:

My best to you and to Alan! :grouphug:

Warmly,
DejaVu

Oh, believe me I hear you about muscle spasms. I used to get them in the middle of the night, going down the inside of my thigh. Drove me NUTS. And don't ask me how I learned how to stop it. With me it's all about stressors. So, for whatever reason, I knew one was coming and I said out loud "you know what you have to do". And I carefully stretched out my left leg (carefully and SLOWLY) and just waited. The muscle relaxed. After the first few times I always had a heating pad nearby (one of those that shuts itself off in 30 minutes). That ALWAYS relaxes the muscles. I also (if I remember) keep a bar of soap under my sheet between the sheet and the mattress. Don't ask, just google this. It works. Something about the soap interacting with the muscles, I can't remember but it does work. We talk about this all the time at the Neuropathy meeting because they all keep a bar of Ivory soap under their sheets.

I also know that magnesium helps with muscle spasms. So sometimes I soak my feet in Epsom Salt before I go to bed. So far, lately, I've been lucky. But I'll tell you what really got me to go crazy. years and years ago, (probably about 20 to 22 years ago, I thought I had a bladder infection. My symptoms were consistent with those of a bladder infection except I had no burning and I could pee just fine. But the urge, the urge was always there. I went to countless urologists and gyns and they took all the tests and I was fine. But I had this FEELING for over 4 years (this was also the time my son was driving us crazy). Never thought it was connected.

So one day my primary care guy felt so bad for me he prescribed SOMA. I will never forget that day. I never even took it. I had put it on the top of the toilet tank (I was taking a shower) and the plan was to take one pill and try and go to bed. See, stuff like this one never forgets. I stared at the bottle of Soma, I got in the shower (nice hot water) and all of a sudden my whole body relaxed. It was like a miracle. I will NEVER forget that. I never had to take a pill and that urge never came back. Sometimes I get **** spasms. That's a real bitc*. All I have to do is put a heating pad under my butt and in five minutes flat it goes away. Don't get them any more. Maybe once or twice a year if that. My body must react to stress by going all spasming. Annoying as you know what.

Sometimes early in the morning when I awake, my foot starts to spasm and I know exactly what to do. I get up slowly, put my weight on that foot, stretch it down and I'm just fine. Doesn't happen often, just once in a while. But those spasms really are painful. So I feel for you.

You take care,

Melody

Thanks, Melody! :hug:

Keep us updated on how life is treating you and Alan! :grouphug:
I hope Monday will be less painful than anticipated. I will check in on your "dental" thread to see the update.

Warmly,
DejaVu

I have spent all morning with his insurance company asking questions about how much a crown co-payment is (Alan will never go for that). He's the type who will say "just pull whatever is left OUT". So I just found some Oral Surgeons (just in case the dentist we are seeing today says: "I don't do this, go and see an oral surgeon).

You know, life is not easy, people my age have to choose whether to keep our teeth, eat, pay rent, or purchase insulin. This stinks. Just my venting.

Thanks much
Melody

Hi Melody,

I hope you have had a good weekend!

I don't know why I did not see your post before now?!:confused:
I was following you on the dental forum.

I know it's tough -- choosing between which bill gets paid and when.
I wish it was different and everyone could easily afford health, dental, housing, utilities, food, education, vacations, vehicles and more!

During the first 10 years of total medical disability, I was single and trying to live on low disability income. I had no coverage for medications. It was a very challenging time. I had a mortgage to pay, was still paying off student loans, and most often, my meds had cost at least 1/2-3/4 of my monthly income. I'd needed to keep a car and related expenses in order to continue my medical care. Fortunately, I had some savings. I then sold almost everything I had owned in order to get through. I have been married since and much has changed. I have filed appeals on pay and have won. I have invested and have had favorable returns. It's easier now than it was; yet, still challenging. Prices continue to climb, as you well know! Even with dental insurance covering 50%,it's still very expensive here. Health insurance deductibles and co-pays are phenomenally high this year! wow!:eek:

Although, you already know all of this!

Somehow, we all keep smiling and moving on with each passing day!:winky:
Me? I'm a bit too stubborn to throw in the towel. (yet.):D

I hope you and Alan have had some fun this past weekend!:hug:

Warmly,
DejaVu

Hi there. I don't have fun. I just live my life.

Today I took him to the podiatrist. He is not supposed to use bandaids on his foot ulcer. he was using bandaids. So now we are back to me cleaning and changing his dressing every day until it heals for good.

Thursday we have to go to two doctors so he can get letters signed and he can be cleared to have a prostate procedure in late August. And he goes for custom shoes (fitting) with new orthotics on August 16th.

His protate procedure is August 25th.

I do not have time to breathe myself. Thank god, I get to go down the block at night and hang with all my friends at Dunkin donuts. THAT is my fun.

You take care of yourself because that is exactly what I try to do every day.

Love ya, Melody

Thinking of You and Alan
 

Hi Melody,

Wow! Busy schedule with appointments!

I've had extra appointments lately, too. I get tired of attending appointments, especially when doing so doesn't seem to offer new options. My specialists still want me to check in and I understand their viewpoint. Yet, doesn't make me like it. ;)

I have to remind myself to schedule some fun activities. I have made a concerted effort this year, by obtaining tickets ahead of time and scheduling months ahead. Sometimes I cannot attend; yet Hubby goes and takes a buddy, a brother, a nephew, a niece. He has fun anyway. :D He does a lot with me and for me. I want him to have fun, whether or not I can attend.
Many times, I can go and we have fun together. :D

I don't recall if Alan is able to get out to socialize.
I hope he can if he wants to do so.

Sometimes, it's fun to get out without our spouses! :D
I do that, too, at least once a week, sometimes more.

It must be nice to be able to go down the block to socialize with friends like you do! :D Very convenient! Very healthy to join with friends on a regular basis! Congrats to you for doing so!

I will be thinking of you and Alan, hoping all goes smoothly.

Take excellent care, Melody! :hug:
Enjoy life!

Warmly,
DejaVu

Hi. We moved here two years ago because my former landlord sold the house and told me to GET OUT (after living there for 23 years). Her exact words were "I'm so sorry to say this BUT WE WANT YOU OUT".
Thank god my friend lived around the corner and her tenant was moving out. We bought his stuff and all I had to do was buy two new single beds.

I had to get used to sleeping in the same room with Alan because I could never sleep in the same bed because of his neuropathy and the shaking and kicking so Alan was used to sleeping in the living room. Believe me, I had some adjusting to do. I do not speak to my former landlord because of how I was treated. They just walk right by me when I'm sitting on the porch with my gal friend (who happens to be my landlord). Thank god for this woman. Known her for years and every evening (when I didn't live here), I would walk around the corner and sit on her porch with all the neighbors. So that hasn't changed except I'm her tenant. lol

As for Dunkin donuts, it's a godsend. We all meet up and I even bring Alan when he wants to get out and about. He has his fans. He makes them laugh. I am grateful that I have a roof over my head at my age, believe me.

Alan had his tooth pulled yesterday by the Oral Surgeon. thank god we found an honest one. Only charged us the co-pay of $50.00.

This friday is the podiatrist and next week various appointments for this and that.

The man keeps me hopping, believe me.

I just wish I had grandchildren like all my friends. That is the one sadness in my life.

Melody

Thankful for friends!
 

Hi Melody! :D

I had read your response a couple of nights ago and was too tired to write.

I can't imagine having to move from an apartment after that many years.
Yet, maybe the change was good after all?
Luckily, your friend had a vacant apartment and could help out! Whew!
At least you did not have to leave your neighborhood. ;)

In my state, there are laws whereby landlords cannot ask tenants to leave for a property sale. The new owner must ask, in writing, and cannot violate any written lease already in place. Additionally, if someone is renting month-to-month, they need a 60 day written notice in order to be asked to leave in response to a property sale. Yucky red tape. :rolleyes: there are some extra protections for tenants. :)

Your gang at Dunkin Donuts sounds like a "family" and lots of fun! :D

Oh, great on the oral surgeon being honest and helpful!

Yes, I had recalled you and Alan would be getting very busy with appointments.

Any chance of getting into a program where you interact with children needing grandparents? I forget the names of some of these programs. They are similar to Big Brothers/Big Sisters, yet they involve grandparents for children wanting grandparents.

Children are fun. :D It's much easier to cope when they are not our own and we can return them after an activity, after a weekend, or after a week. ;)

I hope you and Alan have some fun this weekend!

Warmly,
DejaVu

Hi. Every night at Dunkin, there are people with babies and we all go nuts over them. Even if I found a grandparent program. I can't walk that good because of the arthritis in my knees. I go where I need to go but it's by ambulette. I don't drive and Alan stopped driving years ago because of his severe neuropathy.

Life sucks sometimes. Lol

Melody

Hi Melody,
I just read your post on the PAD testing.
I agree with glenntaj on this.

If you happen to need a stent at any time, better it's done early!

Sorry about your knee arthritis. :(

Enjoy the babies!
Enjoy the weekend!
My best to you and to Alan!
:hug:
DejaVu

On this stent thing. How do they get access? Do they put you to sleep. My mind is going bats worrying about this stuff. I need to relax and I don't do drugs. lol

Melody

Angioplasty and Stent Procedure
 

Hi Melody!

Staying cool in this warm weather?

I am just seeing your question.

Here is an explanation of the angioplasty and stent placement:
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/...cle/007393.htm

I think this is a very busy week for you and for Alan.
I hope you are both comfortable and all is going well!

I like your blonde wig, by the way! :D
Have FUN with it!

Take excellent care!
:hug:
DejaVu

Thank you my dear.

Busy? You want to hear busy?

Yesterday was the foot molding place, Hanger Clinic, and they molded Alan for his custom molded shoes and orthotics. I thought today I would have the day to myself. Not happening.

I get a call later yesterday saying 'Can Alan come in tomorrow for blood work and anaesthesia interview (sorry spelling).lol Of course I said 'sure'

This morning they call us up and say "Can you come in right now?"

We grabbed a cab, went to Lutheran and then began 4 to 5 hours of blood work (that was nothing, took five minutes) but we had to go into 3 separate rooms where they asked the exact same questions. I have no idea why but they did this. I happened to mention "didn't we just answer those questions in the other two rooms"? The person said "you are right but this is how we do this, we go over everything again and again".

We arrived at 9:30 am. and finished at 3:30 p.m. Then grabbed another cab home.

Tomorrow we go into NYC for the neuropathy support group meeting.

Friday is the Podiatrist.

I get off Sat and Sun, and Monday he gets ready for Tuesday's procedure.

They gave him a little packet with a bottle and some towels and he has to take a shower with half the bottle and rinse off right before bedtime and then get up at 4:a.m. and take another shower with the rest of the stuff. They said 'it's to disinfect". Then we grab ANOTHER cab and probably we will have to be there by 6:30 a.m. or so. We won't know until Monday night when someone is supposed to call us and tell us what time to come to the hospital Tuesday morning and where to go.

They also said 'He will most likely stay overnight" which means I shall, yet again, be sleeping in the chair right next to him. Because if you think I'm going to leave this man alone after all he's been through with the flomax side effects, the fainting, etc. etc, forget it. I don't let him out of my sight.

then he will come home with a catheter and I gather I just keep the rest of his body parts clean for one week and then we go back to the urologist.

I'm glad I bought a wig, I'm too tired to do my own hair. lol

Melody

Hi Melody,

You are busy! :D

Good thing you are agreeable and ready to catch a cab when they surprise you with such a call! 6 hours at the lab. :eek:

You and Alan must enjoy the NYC neuropathy support group?

It's a busy week for you and Alan!
Has it been warm there this week?

I did that disinfectant wash before a surgery a few years ago and I was so sensitive to the formula used then, when I arrived at the hospital, they asked why I was all red? It was a reaction to the disinfectant soap! :( Well, I looked more like this: :mad:, yet I wasn't angry. Lol!

I hope it does not aggravate Alan's psoriasis.

Glad you both have the weekend free!

The wig is great! :D Enjoy it!

Will be thinking of you!
Remind us of the surgery so we can lend support to you and to Alan! :grouphug:

Enjoy your evening at DDonuts! :winky:

:hug:
DejaVu

Melody,

Did you get indestructable bracelets and a Lasso of Truth with your wig? For you are surely Wonder Woman, the things you do for Hubby!

Dave.

Oh you think I am wonder woman?

Lol

Oh regarding Alan's possible reaction to the disinfectant and his psoriasis, whenever Alan comes out of a shower he is beet red (his psoriasis areas) as he exits the bathroom (no matter what soap he uses, so we shall see.

I will update all of you as all this unfolds. Keeping praying.

One more thing, I read the side effects of a stent, FORGET IT.

Love ya, melody