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!