So...I am finally at the point of settling my WC claim for my left ankle and they are giving me money to purchase a TENS unit. I have borrowed my boyfriend's mom's TENS unit a couple of times to get myself some relief since I stopped going to physical therapy. It does an okay job (loads better than nothing) but not as good as what I got at therapy. Of course that could have something to do with me perhaps not using the appropriate settings since I didn't get any actual training with the borrowed unit and only used it a couple of times over the last few months. But I did a quick search on the internet on TENS units and I am totally overwhelmed by the different varieties out there and the price points ranging from $40-$3000+. So I guess I have 2 questions (each one having several others attached to it) and would be very grateful for any advice.

First, are there any units out there that you would recommend or that have worked for you? What type of functions should I be looking for in one? Are there any that I should avoid?

And second, what sort of settings have you found most beneficial to you for helping control or alleviate some of the CRPS pain? I know at therapy I felt almost pain free for about an hour after the stim (15 minutes worth)...but using the borrowed unit I was only able to alleviate SOME of the pain.

I'm sure everyone is different, but I'm just looking for some advice and a general direction to get me started. Once I get the unit I know it will be trial and error until I find what is right for me...but right now I am totally overwhelmed. I am very excited to finally be at the point of getting my own unit because since I stopped physical therapy I have been battling to maintain an amount of pain that I can stand and I seem to be losing. I mean...I guess I am winning because I am still functioning, going to work, and walking on my own two feet. But when I get home I am totally useless and I know I am not walking "normal" which is causing all sorts of other aches (and I think was the cause of this blister I got in my CRPS foot which led to a bad infection and has caused all sorts of ADDITIONAL pain that I REALLY didn't need). I am only 26 years old and this is just not how I want to live my life. I mean...work is important...but I want to be able to do stuff outside of work and I just can't push myself to do it right now because it takes everything I have just to get through work. I mean...EVERYTHING.

But the TENS unit will be a tremendous help I think from experience. Sorry to unload...that was not my original intention. Anyway...thanks for any advice regarding the TENS unit!

Catra, why don't you contact the physical therapist that you worked with and ask her what type of unit they used and on what settings. Another idea is to have your doctor write a prescription for one that he thinks would work best. I think that any medical supply place would probably be able to order one for you and that way you could get some instruction on how to use the unit as well as an outlet for the supplies that you will need. Have a great evening, Lisa

I second what Lisa said, call your PT and ask LOTS of questions!

Are you sure they used a TENS at PT and not another type of stim?

[ DIFFERENT TYPES OF ELECTRICAL MUSCLE STIMULATION
EMS, TENS, INTERFERENTIAL and RUSSIAN MUSCLE STIMULATORS]
http://vitalityweb.com/backstore/Muscle-Stimulator.htm


http://vitalityweb.com/backstore/Muscle-Stimulator.htm
http://site.lgmedsupply.com/Pdf/Elec...ementChart.pdf

Hmm...I'm not a hundred percent sure, but when I was still going to therapy my therapist was really pushing for the TENS unit so that I could get the same relief at home as I got at therapy. I know it was a much bigger unit that also had an ultrasound on it (I think I actually saw the same one for sale for about $3000) and it was a combo TENS unit and ultrasound. I guess I just assumed they were using a TENS program since she said it would be the same relief. And it FELT the same...although I wouldn't know if that means anything because different types of stim might feel the same and I wouldn't know the difference. It's a good question for me to ask though.

Yes the PT places & chiropractors use the more industrial machines and combo machines - you wouldn't need the big ones for home care.

My dad has a little TENS for his back pain & I got a EMS {e muscle stim} for my muscle pain. they are both just a bit bigger than a deck of cards.
mine was only 79.00 and I can plug in it or use battery power.

Hi Catra.

I have a TENS unit, from EMPI. It has many settings, i.e., for back, sholder, arm, etc. I can program it to benefit any limb or core area and change the electric currents. It has two leads with two pads each that I can place on the areas I need to stimulate. Every month I get a call from my representative to check on my supplies and to fine-tune the unit to my needs. W/C paid for it and I think mine was about $1,200. I can also order custom supplies and replacement batteries, etc. I usually use mine on my left hip and buttock area, with two leads down my left hip and leg. I use it all the time, especially when traveling and in between visits to P.T.

My therapist told me to use it on my calf to help repair the atrophy and spasms. I just place the leads on my lower leg and crank it up high until my calf muscle starts to wiggle. That helps build muscle and break up spasms. I also use it on my upper back and shoulder when the stress from favoring my left leg gets bad.

I would not be able to function at all without it. PM me and I will give you more information.

Kim

I also have an EMPI TENS unit. Mine has 10 or 12 settings, and then you adjust the power once you find a pulse setting you like.

One thing I would say is get the liquid that you put on under the sticky pads.... it really helps them to stay put. If you use Lidoderm patches, that liquid keeps a Lidoderm patch in place well too.

And, you will go through quite a few pads if you use it alot. You may want to have some sort of allowance for supplies, as they are expensive. I use three different types of "electrodes" which are the little sticky patches the wires go into that stick to your skin. One set is round, maybe 1-1/2 inch. Set two is oval, maybe 2 inch. Then the third set is large oval... maybe 3-1/2 inches. I would start with a pack of a couple kinds to see which works best for you. The Empi sales people are very good at helping you figure out what to get.

If someone else is paying for it, get two batteries so you can be charging one while using the other. I would also get an extra set of lead wires. They are easily damaged by getting them hung up on things.

I have been using mine on and off for about 5 or 6 years now with no problems. Mine looks like this
http://www.empi.com/empi_products/detail.aspx?id=58
it is about 3x4x1/2 inches and has a sturdy belt clip, or can be put in a pocket.

I don't think it helps the RSD... but I also have Fibro and myofacial pain - and I think it helps those. When I use mine, I use it for hours and hours at a time, on the low setting, at fairly low power.

I was not given much instruction when I got mine. Therefore I didn't think it helped. Then, I went to a doctor at Ohio State, and he sent me to their occupational therapists just to learn how to use the TENS... They gave me a bunch of sheets showing diagrams of where to put the stickies on for pain relief. I use it on my hands, upper arms, shoulders, lower back, calves and feet.

I don't think mine was $1,200 but it was several years ago.

Thanks so much for the info on the EMPI devices. I will definitely look into those. I still have a bit of time before I actually get the settlement money so right now I am just trying to do the research so that once I get it I can just get the unit that I need. My mom and I are going to Disneyworld in September and I know I will need the TENS to be able to do all the walking and stuff that will be involved. I just hate how this conditions limits me from now only doing the things that I love...but ENJOYING them too.

Hi Catra,

I too have the EMPI unit and have used it for about six years. I did not get much instruction with mine, it was just trial and error. But I can tell you I use many different levels for different areas and I use it at least twice a day. You kind of have to try different levels at a low dose. Usually when I use mine on my right foot that has severe causalgia, I have to use a higher level to get pain relief. My hip I use a lower intensity due to the sensitivity. You will just have to experiment for awhile to see where your comfort zone is at. However, I do agree with Daililyfan, the supplies are expensive especially when used on a daily basis so do be sure that expense is covered by insurance.

This has been a great alternative for me, I hope you have the same result. Best of luck.

Jeanie