Finally, I'm not posting a complaint about my MS.
 

I found my mom's TENS Unit tonight.

In an act of desperation, I went and found some batteries and experimented with placing the little electrodes on my leg where the numbness was the most annoying. Took awhile to find a spot where I could actually feel something, but I found a spot and setting that I could feel, and left it on my leg for a half hour.

I think it helped a little. It could be placebo effect, or just the fact that it distracted me for a bit from the constant numb sensation. I'm still numb, it's still a lot annoying, but while I was wearing it, I was able to sit and actually read and crochet for awhile. (really needed that!) When I go to that physiatrist this week, I think I'm taking the TENS with me and see what he thinks about me using it, and asking him if there's any way I can get fresh electrodes for it.

I'm to the point where I'd rather feel the little shocking pinpricks than the numbness. I dont have to worry about getting addicted to the TENS like I do with the valium I'm taking for spasticity.

I'm probably going to ask the physiatrist if they have any newer TENS Units out that are easier to use. My mom's old one has these long cords that get tangled, and it may be getting a little worn out. I think I'd rather walk around with a battery zapping me than be drugged out on valium.

You can get new electrodes on Amazon and/or most medical product sites.
They are pretty much generic sized connectors.

There are many types out there- is the one you have digital or the dials?

I recently got a digital IF stim to replace or add to the dial EMS stim I had for many years- those dials are touchy sometimes :eek: zapped myself by turning the dial the wrong way more than once.

It's digital. I think my mom got it about 7 or 8yrs ago. I actually used it some about a year or two ago during another flare where I had Spasticity From Hell that was trying to squeeze me to death around the stomach and ribs. The spasticity really hurt, the electrical zaps from the TENS were the only thing that helped at the time.

I did see that Amazon has the electrode thingies, and they actually sell some TENS units there too. (not sure if you need a Rx to get one) Shocked at the prices. My dad paid outright for my mom's. It cost him $800 to purchase it. The ones I was seeing on Amazon last night looked like they were $100 or less. My mom's unit might be wearing out a bit.

Just found a TENS unit on Amazon for $37 and it's Prime eligible (I can get it before Xmas!) and I am really really really really really tempted to hit the Buy It Now button. (I may just go do that. I dont think my dad would mind paying for it. Heck of a lot cheaper than my mom's was)

I am really kind of frustratedly depressingly in a bad mood today. Just worried I'm stuck with these symptoms for the rest of my life. Not a happy camper today. I just want Xmas to be over right now. Even knowing what one of my presents is (an Apple product...dont tell my dad I saw it when it was delivered) I'm just not in the mood for Xmas this year.

If I had the energy to do it, I'd go take the Xmas tree down because that's how much I am not in the mood to do it now.


Edit to add:

Just found some fresh, unused electrodes for my mom's TENS unit. Amazing how much better it works when the electrodes arent all worn out. Little happier now that I can zap my leg some more and distract the MS trolls a bit. Zap! Take that MS troll!