Hi friends!
ok.. I go to PT twice a week and I have been there 4 times already. The 1st. time I was there, she told me to bring my husbands tens unit in. I did and now I am having so much pain that I can't stand it!! I wonder, is she allowed to tell me to use this?? I read on the booklet yesterday that said this;"Warnings: "This device should be used only under the continued supervision of a physician or outside the USA, by a qualified pain management specialist. It go's on then to say;RECOMMENDATIONS for The Therapist.. tips for skin care.. Skin should be cleaned prior to use(mine never was, as she didn't do this!) also it says;If the electrodes do not contain gel, then gel should be applied directly to the skin prior to placement of the electrodes.(she didn't do this either!??) What the heck?? I mean, my doctor never advised that I use this!!! I must be really stupid as to use this without his consent!! She said to leave it on all day, showed me how to use it.. etc. She is getting me mad now, as she also said;" Don't think and dwell on the fact that this will spread(RSD) or it will"!! Doesn't this seem to all of you that she is basically telling me, it;'s all in my head. YET SHE HANDS ME OUT PAMPLETS(well, makes copies saying RSD is not all in the patient's head.. blah.. blah..) Then she go's on to say that they did PT with a guy who fell, sprained his ankle and now, since he had PT he is now back to work!! I don't know about her anymore!! She is the wife of one of the PMD that my doctor is in with!! I mean, I need to know.. is she allowed to tell me to use this TENS device without my Doc. knowing?? should I tell my doc?? Also I am in way to much pain from using this. what was I thinking of?? I feel like a fool for not opening my mouth. Here, she's giving me all this hope, saying this will go away? seems to me that ever since she started me on this TENS, my muscles are twiching, chronic pain, etc. I refuse to use this anymore!! thank you all for reading this,as I will await your replys. thanks. Love hugs , Desi

I would for sure discounte the use of this TENS unit... I have one that works very well for me, it controls my muscel spasms... However this is one my phyiscal thearpist ordered for me... I think that you should seek a new PT (seems you are very unhappy with this one) and consult with them about the use of a TENS unit and have them order you one... Sorry you are going through so much pain!! Everyone is differnet but it diffenatly has helped me..

I hope you get on to better days soon!!!

Hi Desi,


Tens machines here are available at pharmacies for anyone to purchase.
There seems to be little regulation or advice that they need to be used only on medical advice.
My tens (which I can't use, too painful) has pads that the gel is actually compacted into it, it doesn't wipe off onto your hands but it feels a bit cool to touch.
I think most Tens units have this type of pad now as this is what is required to help transmit the impulses.
I don't think you would harm yourself but it can be very painful if the strength or length of the impulse is set too high. I used to start off at a low rate and work my way up.
I also admit that I did not clean my skin specifically before application but again this would be just to ensure there is no greasiness that would block the impulse.
For me I will never use it again I found it just too painful, I do know some people who find otherwise and swear by it.
Perhaps your PT could check the settings to see if perhaps they are just set to high and maybe it will be a useful option for you---let's hope so.
Good luck
Tayla

Desi,
Iam so sorry your in so much pain. I think you shouldstop this treatment until you talk to your Doc. I would also get another PT person that has more compassion. It sounds like this person needs more information on RSD. Ihope your pain calms down. You sound very stress and you don't need that on top of everything else. I hope you start to feel better.

Sue K.

Desi,
I'm sorry that it is causing more pain. Stop using it, and let your doc know what is going on. If it is hurting like it is, he should know about it. My pt gal would only do what doc told her to do. One Sat. she call my doc at home as he found a very small soft spot. I told her not to call him at home, and she said she was required to notify the docs of anything she found. She said that they are not able to treat anything other than what doc ordered. She would have to get permission for any type of therapy such as whirlpool, etc. You don't deserve anymore pain. maybe a good day to do nothing and watch tv, read, etc..
your friend.
Mary

Hugs.

Stop the tens unit. Then before your next therapy appt, sit down with the therapist and say "I have some concerns." 1. the tens unit is extremely painful and not helping at all. I will not use it again until I have a chance to speak to my dr. 2. I do not focus on my rsd spreading. It just so happens that everyone is different and some people go forever and not have it spread, others it spreads immediately. 3. Please do not compare me with other people. I realize PT is a good thing to have, however, everyone is different and everyone responds differently to PT, please don't compare me.

Now if she cannot accept any of the above. Make an appt with your doctor and let him know all of the things you have talked to her about and are not happy because she will not accept one or all of them and you need a new person.

PT offices usually operate under the direction of the hospital or Dr. office. Where I live I have been to both types. Tens units are routinely used by most PT offices without the need of a DR. giving permission. I used one, at first I thought it helped, but decided it really caused me to be more on edge with more pain. I was renting it for the month to see if it helped. I gave it back and told them how it made me feel. The PT told me I could buy a low voltage one that wouldn't make me want to scream-as loud LOL So I did, it did not help either. So stop using it and tell your Dr. why you stopped. He may have other methods that can help quite nerves. I think the method that worked best for me was the passing of time. I just got up and went to bed and got up and went to bed, and one day I thought maybe I can do this after all, thanks to my wonderful dr.and all the help I got from him. I still have days I could shot myself and days I can almost convince myself I don't have RSD as I feel so good. Here's to more feel good days and less pain!!! Carose