TENS

[Guest guest]

Ann, yes you need a rx for a TENS, yes sometimes it can feel like

you are being stung by bees or that major tingly feeling you get if

a limb falls asleep, but if a TENS is hurting, you can adjust the

level of wattage, strength, duration, mhz ect. There are wide

varieties of ways to change my TENS. And yes, it can be used for

muscles in the neck/back area. The key is that you do not under any

circumstances want to place the electrodes directly over a bone that

doesn't have a good muscle over it. It can mess up the blood flow

or something. I am not sure of the exact reason, I just know that

my doc, 3 pt's, and the tech support person for the dme company all

said the same on that one. As to why your doc didn't suggest it, it

isn't common to send a patient home with a rx for a TENS as it is

mostly used in pt, and most docs don't think that way. I asked for

it, my doc checked out if it would help, and I got one. Simple as

that. Well---there were papers to sign, classes to take, meetings

to have---but I have an hmo. ;-)(

hth

Tigger

> There's been some discussion on the ITBS group recently about TENS

units being used for the knee. I thought I'd post this to both

groups (ITBS and CP) because some CP people might be using one too.

>

> I've never used one. One may have been used on me in PT in the

mid-'90s, but they used a couple of different electrostimulators and

I don't remember which was called what. I remember one drove me

crazy crackling through my skin/muscles. It was torture. I had to

have them take it off (and I must say they weren't very nice about

it, like I was making up my reaction to it).

>

> I'm wondering if a portable TENS unit can be used for my upper

back. The muscles below my neck (in back) get extremely painful if

I have to bend my head back for any length of time -- one time all I

did was mow a lawn with a mower that was hard to push and I had to

come in twice & rest because the pain was so bad. The muscles will

tighten up there if I just stand, like in line for a concert, for

half an hour, even w/o bending my neck, or if I rest my chin on my

hands. I can't get to those muscles with anything (I can get to the

edge of them with The Stick, but I can't find any trigger points

there, and I can't get enough leverage w/my Travel Stick -- I also

have a Flex Stick and also can't massage that area very well with

it -- it's almost as if it's gone all fibrotic). Pressing on all my

other trigger points (in the sides, top, and bottom edge of my neck,

and in the soft tissue between my collar bone and my shoulder

muscle, and all the uncountable ones around the medial edge of my

shoulder blade and in my shoulder blade (are you all exhausted yet

from all this pain?) doesn't help the pain at the top of my back

(and I repeat, this is so far to the top it's practically in the

neck). It's probably the result of sympathetic tension or strain

from all those other muscles being contracted, and is chronic.

>

> So I was wondering if a TENS unit might be helpful in getting rid

of the pain there, but I also wonder if it's not the same thing they

used on me that was torture. One of the electrostimulators made my

VMO contract, but the one I'm talking about that was torture (I

can't say it hurt, but it was like being eaten alive by ants) was,

if I remember correctly, used through my knee in a passive

position. One electrode on one side (lateral proximal) and one on

the other (medial distal). I sure wouldn't want to buy a unit &

have it turn out to be like that.

>

> Do you have to have an Rx to get one? And I wonder why they

didn't suggest one when I went to the pain clinic.

>

> Ann

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the info. I meant why no one ever sent me for PT to try TENS. You

say your HMO covered your unit?

Ann

Re: TENS

Ann, yes you need a rx for a TENS, yes sometimes it can feel like

you are being stung by bees or that major tingly feeling you get if

a limb falls asleep, but if a TENS is hurting, you can adjust the

level of wattage, strength, duration, mhz ect. There are wide

varieties of ways to change my TENS. And yes, it can be used for

muscles in the neck/back area. The key is that you do not under any

circumstances want to place the electrodes directly over a bone that

doesn't have a good muscle over it. It can mess up the blood flow

or something. I am not sure of the exact reason, I just know that

my doc, 3 pt's, and the tech support person for the dme company all

said the same on that one. As to why your doc didn't suggest it, it

isn't common to send a patient home with a rx for a TENS as it is

mostly used in pt, and most docs don't think that way. I asked for

it, my doc checked out if it would help, and I got one. Simple as

that. Well---there were papers to sign, classes to take, meetings

to have---but I have an hmo. ;-)(

hth

Tigger

> There's been some discussion on the ITBS group recently about TENS

units being used for the knee. I thought I'd post this to both

groups (ITBS and CP) because some CP people might be using one too.

>

> I've never used one. One may have been used on me in PT in the

mid-'90s, but they used a couple of different electrostimulators and

I don't remember which was called what. I remember one drove me

crazy crackling through my skin/muscles. It was torture. I had to

have them take it off (and I must say they weren't very nice about

it, like I was making up my reaction to it).

>

> I'm wondering if a portable TENS unit can be used for my upper

back. The muscles below my neck (in back) get extremely painful if

I have to bend my head back for any length of time -- one time all I

did was mow a lawn with a mower that was hard to push and I had to

come in twice & rest because the pain was so bad. The muscles will

tighten up there if I just stand, like in line for a concert, for

half an hour, even w/o bending my neck, or if I rest my chin on my

hands. I can't get to those muscles with anything (I can get to the

edge of them with The Stick, but I can't find any trigger points

there, and I can't get enough leverage w/my Travel Stick -- I also

have a Flex Stick and also can't massage that area very well with

it -- it's almost as if it's gone all fibrotic). Pressing on all my

other trigger points (in the sides, top, and bottom edge of my neck,

and in the soft tissue between my collar bone and my shoulder

muscle, and all the uncountable ones around the medial edge of my

shoulder blade and in my shoulder blade (are you all exhausted yet

from all this pain?) doesn't help the pain at the top of my back

(and I repeat, this is so far to the top it's practically in the

neck). It's probably the result of sympathetic tension or strain

from all those other muscles being contracted, and is chronic.

>

> So I was wondering if a TENS unit might be helpful in getting rid

of the pain there, but I also wonder if it's not the same thing they

used on me that was torture. One of the electrostimulators made my

VMO contract, but the one I'm talking about that was torture (I

can't say it hurt, but it was like being eaten alive by ants) was,

if I remember correctly, used through my knee in a passive

position. One electrode on one side (lateral proximal) and one on

the other (medial distal). I sure wouldn't want to buy a unit &

have it turn out to be like that.

>

> Do you have to have an Rx to get one? And I wonder why they

didn't suggest one when I went to the pain clinic.

>

> Ann

>

>

[Guest guest]

I use one for my leg and my mother uses one for her back. They are great. I

highly recommend them. The one I have is portable and is very easy to use. my

PT ordered it with and RX from the OS. They ordered it from EMPI.

You can order a TENS unit through various medical stores online, but to get

the correct wattage and stimulation needed for your problem I would not do it.

The ones available are not as strong and did not work for my mother, so she

ended up getting one from the PT.

Since, each patient is different and each has different pain tolerances, I

would get an RX. And have the PT place it properly for you individual needs.

Krisstina King

[Guest guest]

My Os ordered it and the PT then decided the best.

Krisstina King

[Guest guest]

Ann, yes my hmo covered my tens, I just had a 20% co-pay it fell

under the durable medical equipment clause. Pretty cool eh? Talk

to your doc and see about it. It also helps to build muscles if you

set it up the right way.

Tigger

> > There's been some discussion on the ITBS group recently about

TENS

> units being used for the knee. I thought I'd post this to both

> groups (ITBS and CP) because some CP people might be using one

too.

> >

> > I've never used one. One may have been used on me in PT in

the

> mid-'90s, but they used a couple of different electrostimulators

and

> I don't remember which was called what. I remember one drove me

> crazy crackling through my skin/muscles. It was torture. I

had to

> have them take it off (and I must say they weren't very nice

about

> it, like I was making up my reaction to it).

> >

> > I'm wondering if a portable TENS unit can be used for my upper

> back. The muscles below my neck (in back) get extremely painful

if

> I have to bend my head back for any length of time -- one time

all I

> did was mow a lawn with a mower that was hard to push and I had

to

> come in twice & rest because the pain was so bad. The muscles

will

> tighten up there if I just stand, like in line for a concert,

for

> half an hour, even w/o bending my neck, or if I rest my chin on

my

> hands. I can't get to those muscles with anything (I can get to

the

> edge of them with The Stick, but I can't find any trigger points

> there, and I can't get enough leverage w/my Travel Stick -- I

also

> have a Flex Stick and also can't massage that area very well

with

> it -- it's almost as if it's gone all fibrotic). Pressing on

all my

> other trigger points (in the sides, top, and bottom edge of my

neck,

> and in the soft tissue between my collar bone and my shoulder

> muscle, and all the uncountable ones around the medial edge of

my

> shoulder blade and in my shoulder blade (are you all exhausted

yet

> from all this pain?) doesn't help the pain at the top of my back

> (and I repeat, this is so far to the top it's practically in the

> neck). It's probably the result of sympathetic tension or

strain

> from all those other muscles being contracted, and is chronic.

> >

> > So I was wondering if a TENS unit might be helpful in getting

rid

> of the pain there, but I also wonder if it's not the same thing

they

> used on me that was torture. One of the electrostimulators made

my

> VMO contract, but the one I'm talking about that was torture (I

> can't say it hurt, but it was like being eaten alive by ants)

was,

> if I remember correctly, used through my knee in a passive

> position. One electrode on one side (lateral proximal) and one

on

> the other (medial distal). I sure wouldn't want to buy a unit &

> have it turn out to be like that.

> >

> > Do you have to have an Rx to get one? And I wonder why they

> didn't suggest one when I went to the pain clinic.

> >

> > Ann

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Thanks. You're in CA, right? In my town? Would you mind telling me what your

ins. coverage is & your provider (clinic)? Can e-mail me privately.

Ann

Re: TENS

Ann, yes my hmo covered my tens, I just had a 20% co-pay it fell

under the durable medical equipment clause. Pretty cool eh? Talk

to your doc and see about it. It also helps to build muscles if you

set it up the right way.

Tigger

> > There's been some discussion on the ITBS group recently about

TENS

> units being used for the knee. I thought I'd post this to both

> groups (ITBS and CP) because some CP people might be using one

too.

> >

> > I've never used one. One may have been used on me in PT in

the

> mid-'90s, but they used a couple of different electrostimulators

and

> I don't remember which was called what. I remember one drove me

> crazy crackling through my skin/muscles. It was torture. I

had to

> have them take it off (and I must say they weren't very nice

about

> it, like I was making up my reaction to it).

> >

> > I'm wondering if a portable TENS unit can be used for my upper

> back. The muscles below my neck (in back) get extremely painful

if

> I have to bend my head back for any length of time -- one time

all I

> did was mow a lawn with a mower that was hard to push and I had

to

> come in twice & rest because the pain was so bad. The muscles

will

> tighten up there if I just stand, like in line for a concert,

for

> half an hour, even w/o bending my neck, or if I rest my chin on

my

> hands. I can't get to those muscles with anything (I can get to

the

> edge of them with The Stick, but I can't find any trigger points

> there, and I can't get enough leverage w/my Travel Stick -- I

also

> have a Flex Stick and also can't massage that area very well

with

> it -- it's almost as if it's gone all fibrotic). Pressing on

all my

> other trigger points (in the sides, top, and bottom edge of my

neck,

> and in the soft tissue between my collar bone and my shoulder

> muscle, and all the uncountable ones around the medial edge of

my

> shoulder blade and in my shoulder blade (are you all exhausted

yet

> from all this pain?) doesn't help the pain at the top of my back

> (and I repeat, this is so far to the top it's practically in the

> neck). It's probably the result of sympathetic tension or

strain

> from all those other muscles being contracted, and is chronic.

> >

> > So I was wondering if a TENS unit might be helpful in getting

rid

> of the pain there, but I also wonder if it's not the same thing

they

> used on me that was torture. One of the electrostimulators made

my

> VMO contract, but the one I'm talking about that was torture (I

> can't say it hurt, but it was like being eaten alive by ants)

was,

> if I remember correctly, used through my knee in a passive

> position. One electrode on one side (lateral proximal) and one

on

> the other (medial distal). I sure wouldn't want to buy a unit &

> have it turn out to be like that.

> >

> > Do you have to have an Rx to get one? And I wonder why they

> didn't suggest one when I went to the pain clinic.

> >

> > Ann

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Thanks. Should I let a PT decide what's the best unit, or would my PCP know?

Ann

Re: TENS

I use one for my leg and my mother uses one for her back. They are great. I

highly recommend them. The one I have is portable and is very easy to use. my

PT ordered it with and RX from the OS. They ordered it from EMPI.

You can order a TENS unit through various medical stores online, but to get

the correct wattage and stimulation needed for your problem I would not do it.

The ones available are not as strong and did not work for my mother, so she

ended up getting one from the PT.

Since, each patient is different and each has different pain tolerances, I

would get an RX. And have the PT place it properly for you individual needs.

Krisstina King

[Guest guest]

Hmmmm. This would be for my back. My OS doesn't do backs. Guess I'll get a

referral to someone who does. Or maybe I could just go to a PT, if they're the

ones who know best what kind of unit to use. And they could try out various

ones on me there, too.

Thanks everyone for all the help, info, and suggestions.

Ann

Re: TENS

My Os ordered it and the PT then decided the best.

Krisstina King

[Guest guest]

prescription

[Guest guest]

Tigger,

Your situation sounds a bit like mine. I too have grade 3/4 in my right leg.

I have some other damage as well. Along with damage in the femur. I use a

tens unit for pain and swelling instead of meds. I have two terminally ill

children and refuse to be " out of my head " so to speak. My OS used to get so mad

because I refused. But my kids come first.

I also need a tkr, but I too am too young. I have a horrid brace, cane, ice

machine (polar pak), and a TENS unit. I also use the disability place card

with reluctance. But I use it.

It was just so odd hearing someone else's description a lot like mine.

Sorry to ramble.

Tina

[Guest guest]

so by the sounds of all this a TENS is the muscle stimulator that Physio

Therapy used on me ? i asked at PT about purchasing one of those ... i would

have to pay for it myself though and i am not sure of the price yet ...

sometimes when PT put that on me the on guy(PTist) zapped me with it a few times

and that hurt .... i used to wonder some days if the muscle stim could cause me

more pain as sometimes it felt like it but mostly when he zapped me with it

those couple times and i let him know to not do it again ...lol... then they

switched me to a better PT in there anyways and she never did that to me ....

ruby2zdy@... wrote:Thanks. You're in CA, right? In my town? Would you

mind telling me what your ins. coverage is & your provider (clinic)? Can e-mail

me privately.

Ann

Re: TENS

Ann, yes my hmo covered my tens, I just had a 20% co-pay it fell

under the durable medical equipment clause. Pretty cool eh? Talk

to your doc and see about it. It also helps to build muscles if you

set it up the right way.

Tigger

> > There's been some discussion on the ITBS group recently about

TENS

> units being used for the knee. I thought I'd post this to both

> groups (ITBS and CP) because some CP people might be using one

too.

> >

> > I've never used one. One may have been used on me in PT in

the

> mid-'90s, but they used a couple of different electrostimulators

and

> I don't remember which was called what. I remember one drove me

> crazy crackling through my skin/muscles. It was torture. I

had to

> have them take it off (and I must say they weren't very nice

about

> it, like I was making up my reaction to it).

> >

> > I'm wondering if a portable TENS unit can be used for my upper

> back. The muscles below my neck (in back) get extremely painful

if

> I have to bend my head back for any length of time -- one time

all I

> did was mow a lawn with a mower that was hard to push and I had

to

> come in twice & rest because the pain was so bad. The muscles

will

> tighten up there if I just stand, like in line for a concert,

for

> half an hour, even w/o bending my neck, or if I rest my chin on

my

> hands. I can't get to those muscles with anything (I can get to

the

> edge of them with The Stick, but I can't find any trigger points

> there, and I can't get enough leverage w/my Travel Stick -- I

also

> have a Flex Stick and also can't massage that area very well

with

> it -- it's almost as if it's gone all fibrotic). Pressing on

all my

> other trigger points (in the sides, top, and bottom edge of my

neck,

> and in the soft tissue between my collar bone and my shoulder

> muscle, and all the uncountable ones around the medial edge of

my

> shoulder blade and in my shoulder blade (are you all exhausted

yet

> from all this pain?) doesn't help the pain at the top of my back

> (and I repeat, this is so far to the top it's practically in the

> neck). It's probably the result of sympathetic tension or

strain

> from all those other muscles being contracted, and is chronic.

> >

> > So I was wondering if a TENS unit might be helpful in getting

rid

> of the pain there, but I also wonder if it's not the same thing

they

> used on me that was torture. One of the electrostimulators made

my

> VMO contract, but the one I'm talking about that was torture (I

> can't say it hurt, but it was like being eaten alive by ants)

was,

> if I remember correctly, used through my knee in a passive

> position. One electrode on one side (lateral proximal) and one

on

> the other (medial distal). I sure wouldn't want to buy a unit &

> have it turn out to be like that.

> >

> > Do you have to have an Rx to get one? And I wonder why they

> didn't suggest one when I went to the pain clinic.

> >

> > Ann

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

WHAT IS RX?

kking5112@... wrote:I use one for my leg and my mother uses one for her

back. They are great. I

highly recommend them. The one I have is portable and is very easy to use. my

PT ordered it with and RX from the OS. They ordered it from EMPI.

You can order a TENS unit through various medical stores online, but to get

the correct wattage and stimulation needed for your problem I would not do it.

The ones available are not as strong and did not work for my mother, so she

ended up getting one from the PT.

Since, each patient is different and each has different pain tolerances, I

would get an RX. And have the PT place it properly for you individual needs.

Krisstina King

[Guest guest]

first RX is prescription, and for the other, a tens is used for more

than muscles, it is used to help ..um... Kinda short circuit the

nerves for short periods of times. The way that I best know how to

describe it is that the nerves get a little loop in them that stops,

lessens the messages of pain to the brain. Kinda like a dimmer

switch on a light. Yes, if you set the TENS for muscles you can use

them to get the muscles to contract. I use mine mostly to help the

pain swelling that I have 24/7. It helps for me and helps keep my

pain meds use down. Please understand that I have grade3/4 chondro

in my right knee, along with some other major structural damage, to

the extent that I need a tkr, but am way too young (i'm 30) so

unless my knee locks up completely or I get to the point where I

can't move at all they won't do a tkr. And my left knee has chondro

as well, we aren't sure how bad I have never had surgery on it

before. And the tibia in that leg is curving inwards very

dramatically from over compensating (we think). Needless to say,

after the last surgery and p/t when the final xrays and mris were

done my gp actually filled out a disability form for a placcard for

me and basically told me to use it or she would smack me. *laugh*

It is ugly when your doc scolds you for being stubborn. LOL

hth If you have a specific question let me know. Oh yes- my

TENS would have cost $200 if I didn't have the insurance that I do,

and then I only had a 20% co-pay.

Tigger

I use one for my leg and my mother uses one

for her back. They are great. I

> highly recommend them. The one I have is portable and is very easy

to use. my

> PT ordered it with and RX from the OS. They ordered it from EMPI.

> You can order a TENS unit through various medical stores online,

but to get

> the correct wattage and stimulation needed for your problem I

would not do it.

> The ones available are not as strong and did not work for my

mother, so she

> ended up getting one from the PT.

> Since, each patient is different and each has different pain

tolerances, I

> would get an RX. And have the PT place it properly for you

individual needs.

>

>

> Krisstina King

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

ok but what is RX? is that like a prescription ? or is that the name of the

stim machine thingy?

SwEEtLeAf <sweet_leaf_ca@...> wrote:WHAT IS RX?

kking5112@... wrote:I use one for my leg and my mother uses one for her

back. They are great. I

highly recommend them. The one I have is portable and is very easy to use. my

PT ordered it with and RX from the OS. They ordered it from EMPI.

You can order a TENS unit through various medical stores online, but to get

the correct wattage and stimulation needed for your problem I would not do it.

The ones available are not as strong and did not work for my mother, so she

ended up getting one from the PT.

Since, each patient is different and each has different pain tolerances, I

would get an RX. And have the PT place it properly for you individual needs.

Krisstina King

[Guest guest]

I think where he wrote " ordered it with and RX from the OS " he meant the OS wrote

out an Rx and he used that to get the right unit.

Ann

Re: TENS

ok but what is RX? is that like a prescription ? or is that the name of the

stim machine thingy?

SwEEtLeAf <sweet_leaf_ca@...> wrote:WHAT IS RX?

kking5112@... wrote:I use one for my leg and my mother uses one for her

back. They are great. I

highly recommend them. The one I have is portable and is very easy to use. my

PT ordered it with and RX from the OS. They ordered it from EMPI.

You can order a TENS unit through various medical stores online, but to get

the correct wattage and stimulation needed for your problem I would not do it.

The ones available are not as strong and did not work for my mother, so she

ended up getting one from the PT.

Since, each patient is different and each has different pain tolerances, I

would get an RX. And have the PT place it properly for you individual needs.

Krisstina King

[Guest guest]

thank yu much for explaining this ... noone ever told me about that but i did

ask at physio if they thought me getting one would be beneficial and they said

yes .... i will be asking about this for sure ... i have this in both knees too

but the right one is the worse ... the left is totally healed at moment but

hurts when do stairs etc as all my weight i put on that one ... my family

doctors main concern with me at moment is taking the oxycodone as when yu take

this yu end up doing more than you should ... i would not have been able to do

the PT without the pain meds thats for sure ... i still have a lot of pain but

it is better than it was but i moved an no longer am climbing stairs everyday

and have built the muscles too in my legs up to better than they were (i believe

that does help although in the beginning it was painful and caused more pain)

" no pain no gain " i guess ...lol.... good luck to yu .... DOES ANYONE FIND THAT

THE COLD WEATHER - DAMPNESS ETC BOTHER THIER KNEE?

tigluvzpoohbear <no_reply > wrote:first RX is prescription, and

for the other, a tens is used for more

than muscles, it is used to help ..um... Kinda short circuit the

nerves for short periods of times. The way that I best know how to

describe it is that the nerves get a little loop in them that stops,

lessens the messages of pain to the brain. Kinda like a dimmer

switch on a light. Yes, if you set the TENS for muscles you can use

them to get the muscles to contract. I use mine mostly to help the

pain swelling that I have 24/7. It helps for me and helps keep my

pain meds use down. Please understand that I have grade3/4 chondro

in my right knee, along with some other major structural damage, to

the extent that I need a tkr, but am way too young (i'm 30) so

unless my knee locks up completely or I get to the point where I

can't move at all they won't do a tkr. And my left knee has chondro

as well, we aren't sure how bad I have never had surgery on it

before. And the tibia in that leg is curving inwards very

dramatically from over compensating (we think). Needless to say,

after the last surgery and p/t when the final xrays and mris were

done my gp actually filled out a disability form for a placcard for

me and basically told me to use it or she would smack me. *laugh*

It is ugly when your doc scolds you for being stubborn. LOL

hth If you have a specific question let me know. Oh yes- my

TENS would have cost $200 if I didn't have the insurance that I do,

and then I only had a 20% co-pay.

Tigger

I use one for my leg and my mother uses one

for her back. They are great. I

> highly recommend them. The one I have is portable and is very easy

to use. my

> PT ordered it with and RX from the OS. They ordered it from EMPI.

> You can order a TENS unit through various medical stores online,

but to get

> the correct wattage and stimulation needed for your problem I

would not do it.

> The ones available are not as strong and did not work for my

mother, so she

> ended up getting one from the PT.

> Since, each patient is different and each has different pain

tolerances, I

> would get an RX. And have the PT place it properly for you

individual needs.

>

>

> Krisstina King

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

OH OK ...THANK YU .... I AM NOT IN PHYSIO NOW AS IT IS ONLY COVERED FOR 6MONTHS

AND AS OF NEXT YEAR IT WILL NOT BE COVERED AT ALL BUT I KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYWAYS

....THE ONLY THING PT HAD THAT I COULD NOT DO AT HOME WAS THE MUSCLE STIM AND THE

ULTRASOUND THING THAT HELPS ... BUT I CAN GO TALK TO MY PT THEY WILL REMEMBER ME

I AM SURE OF THAT .... AND SHE COULD TELL ME WHAT TO GET ...THANKS ...THIS MAY

BE OF GREAT HELP ... AS ACTUALLY GOING TO PT WAS HARD FOR ME AS TAKE BUS AND

THAT PUTS ME ON MY FEET EVEN LONGER ...LOL.... THX MUCH ....

IS THERE ANYTHING SIMILAR TO THE ULTRASOUND MACHINE THAT CAN BE USED AT HOME

.....IT HELPED TO KEEP INFLAMMATION DOWN .... ?

Ann <ruby2zdy@...> wrote:

I think where he wrote " ordered it with and RX from the OS " he meant the OS wrote

out an Rx and he used that to get the right unit.

Ann

Re: TENS

ok but what is RX? is that like a prescription ? or is that the name of the

stim machine thingy?

SwEEtLeAf <sweet_leaf_ca@...> wrote:WHAT IS RX?

kking5112@... wrote:I use one for my leg and my mother uses one for her

back. They are great. I

highly recommend them. The one I have is portable and is very easy to use. my

PT ordered it with and RX from the OS. They ordered it from EMPI.

You can order a TENS unit through various medical stores online, but to get

the correct wattage and stimulation needed for your problem I would not do it.

The ones available are not as strong and did not work for my mother, so she

ended up getting one from the PT.

Since, each patient is different and each has different pain tolerances, I

would get an RX. And have the PT place it properly for you individual needs.

Krisstina King

[Guest guest]

JUST WANT TO SAY THAT THE OXYCODONE DOES NOT MAKE ME OUT OF MY HEAD ... AS LONG

AS YOU DO NOT ABUSE IT ... I KNOW SOME PEOPLE THAT TAKE WAY TOO MANY AND THEY

ARE HARD TO BE AROUND .... IT HAS HELPED ME TO CONTINUE WORKING AND KEEP UP WITH

MY KIDS ... BUT I CANNOT STAY ON IT FOR TOO MUCH LONGER AS I FIND IT AFFECTS

MEMORY A BIT NOW AND CAN MAKE YU CONFUSED IF YU ARE STRESSED OUT ... I WAS

ALWAYS AGAINST PILLS BUT YU DO WHAT YU HAVE TO .... GOOD LUCK ALL ....AND I AM

RAMBLING ...LOL...SORRY ....

kking5112@... wrote:Tigger,

Your situation sounds a bit like mine. I too have grade 3/4 in my right leg.

I have some other damage as well. Along with damage in the femur. I use a

tens unit for pain and swelling instead of meds. I have two terminally ill

children and refuse to be " out of my head " so to speak. My OS used to get so mad

because I refused. But my kids come first.

I also need a tkr, but I too am too young. I have a horrid brace, cane, ice

machine (polar pak), and a TENS unit. I also use the disability place card

with reluctance. But I use it.

It was just so odd hearing someone else's description a lot like mine.

Sorry to ramble.

Tina

[Guest guest]

I am glad I could help. Tens units help a lot. I understand about

the pain meds, I couldn't function as well without mine. Yes, cold

damp weather makes me hurt worse. In fact, since hubby and I just

recently bought a new house in the mountains, today is the first

cooler day. It is overcast and cold, and rain is on the way.

BRRRR... and yes I hurt, that is why I am curled up with hot coffee

a blanket and a good book. LOL I am being a wus today, but so be

it. I am not ready for the cold yet. One of the things that helps

me is to get some of those heatable little bags that hold something

like barley, rice or beans or something along those lines. You

just pop them in the microwave for a few minutes and they stay warm

for a while, it helps when things get really cold.

It is always good to have as much muscle improvement as you can

get. That is what has kept me on my feet for years now. I am a

firm believer in keep muscles as strong as possible.

Tigger

I use one for my leg and my mother uses one

> for her back. They are great. I

> > highly recommend them. The one I have is portable and is very

easy

> to use. my

> > PT ordered it with and RX from the OS. They ordered it from

EMPI.

> > You can order a TENS unit through various medical stores online,

> but to get

> > the correct wattage and stimulation needed for your problem I

> would not do it.

> > The ones available are not as strong and did not work for my

> mother, so she

> > ended up getting one from the PT.

> > Since, each patient is different and each has different pain

> tolerances, I

> > would get an RX. And have the PT place it properly for you

> individual needs.

> >

> >

> > Krisstina King

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Tina--LOL we could be bobsy twins, um btw my first name is Tina

too. LOL I go by Tigger though, even hubby calls me Tigger. As

for taking meds, they don't make you " out of your head " . If you are

TRUELY in pain, they won't give you a " high " feeling. The first day

or so you might have some symptoms until your body adjusts then all

you get is some relief from the pain. I was reluctant too, but I

got to a point where I couldn't even get up to take a shower without

almost passing out from the pain. There is also a synthetic

narcotic called Ultram (tramadol) that works on the same pain

receptors as narcotics but supposedly without the side effects. I

was on it for a while and it did well at helping my pain, but my ins

started charging me and arm and a leg for it, so I switched to

something else. It might be something you would be willing to try.

You will be amazed at the difference in your level of activity that

can increase with just slight relief of your pain. Believe me I do

understand the way you feel though. And yes, I too have an ugly

brace. I couldn't walk without it. :-)

Tigger

> Tigger,

> Your situation sounds a bit like mine. I too have grade 3/4 in my

right leg.

> I have some other damage as well. Along with damage in the femur.

I use a

> tens unit for pain and swelling instead of meds. I have two

terminally ill

> children and refuse to be " out of my head " so to speak. My OS used

to get so mad

> because I refused. But my kids come first.

> I also need a tkr, but I too am too young. I have a horrid brace,

cane, ice

> machine (polar pak), and a TENS unit. I also use the disability

place card

> with reluctance. But I use it.

> It was just so odd hearing someone else's description a lot like

mine.

> Sorry to ramble.

>

> Tina

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

i am wondering as winter is approaching and i have to stand at bus stops in the

cold and it really really hurts my knees and hands in the cold .... but i was

thinking if i could get some sort of heating thing to put on knee and in mittens

for winter ...i will have to look into this ... i need to beable to use it

outside ...

i was taking Glycosomine and i stopped about 4 weeks ago as doctor said i may

have inflammatory disease and she said it would not help ...but my pain is

really bad again and i am heading towards not being able to work again and its

scary cuz i need the money .... can anyone tell me whether Glycosomine helped

them ? maybe i should go back on it .... i seem to get no help or answers from

Doctors? what am i doing wrong? do i need to freak out on them or what?

tigluvzpoohbear <no_reply > wrote:

I am glad I could help. Tens units help a lot. I understand about

the pain meds, I couldn't function as well without mine. Yes, cold

damp weather makes me hurt worse. In fact, since hubby and I just

recently bought a new house in the mountains, today is the first

cooler day. It is overcast and cold, and rain is on the way.

BRRRR... and yes I hurt, that is why I am curled up with hot coffee

a blanket and a good book. LOL I am being a wus today, but so be

it. I am not ready for the cold yet. One of the things that helps

me is to get some of those heatable little bags that hold something

like barley, rice or beans or something along those lines. You

just pop them in the microwave for a few minutes and they stay warm

for a while, it helps when things get really cold.

It is always good to have as much muscle improvement as you can

get. That is what has kept me on my feet for years now. I am a

firm believer in keep muscles as strong as possible.

Tigger

I use one for my leg and my mother uses one

> for her back. They are great. I

> > highly recommend them. The one I have is portable and is very

easy

> to use. my

> > PT ordered it with and RX from the OS. They ordered it from

EMPI.

> > You can order a TENS unit through various medical stores online,

> but to get

> > the correct wattage and stimulation needed for your problem I

> would not do it.

> > The ones available are not as strong and did not work for my

> mother, so she

> > ended up getting one from the PT.

> > Since, each patient is different and each has different pain

> tolerances, I

> > would get an RX. And have the PT place it properly for you

> individual needs.

> >

> >

> > Krisstina King

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Re: TENS

>

> i am wondering as winter is approaching and i have to stand at bus stops

> in the cold and it really really hurts my knees and hands in the cold ....

> but i was thinking if i could get some sort of heating thing to put on

> knee and in mittens for winter ...i will have to look into this ... i need

> to beable to use it outside ...

>

> i was taking Glycosomine and i stopped about 4 weeks ago as doctor said i

> may have inflammatory disease and she said it would not help ...but my

> pain is really bad again and i am heading towards not being able to work

> again and its scary cuz i need the money .... can anyone tell me whether

> Glycosomine helped them ?

My inflammation gets intolerable without a combination of Vioxx and

glucosamine. Either one alone does not not cut my inflammation. With both

I can function reasonably well. I have seen research where glucosamine

alone, or glucosamine plus advil many times will provide substantial relief.

Here are some links;

http://www.glucosamine-arthritis.org/glucosamine-research/glucosamine-knee-osteo\

arthritis-ibuprofen.html

http://my.webmd.com/content/article/79/96162.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=1\

1548225 & dopt=Abstract

You might take these links to your doctor, especially the last one. The big

drug companies are not interested in seeing glucosamine taking the profits

from their drugs of choice.

Mike

MT

[Guest guest]

yes.... i have a bunch of boxes of Vioxx samples here that i am looking at and

have been debating starting them ... i am scared when i take new medicine ...

Vioxx is not covered on my drug plan so i have the samples to try out ... how

long would it take before the Vioxx would work?

i also do believe that the Glycosomine was helping me keep the inflammation down

but it still did get inflamed ... the cracking and grinding when trying to walk

had been better too...when it grinds then it gets inflamed big time ... or does

it start grinding once its inflamed? lol

my back is also been real bad though - the knee and back (sciatic) pain seem to

go together a lot ... even my toes hurt ...

any info or opinions help folks .....thx .

Mike Bernhardt <mlbernhardt@...> wrote:

Re: TENS

>

> i am wondering as winter is approaching and i have to stand at bus stops

> in the cold and it really really hurts my knees and hands in the cold ....

> but i was thinking if i could get some sort of heating thing to put on

> knee and in mittens for winter ...i will have to look into this ... i need

> to beable to use it outside ...

>

> i was taking Glycosomine and i stopped about 4 weeks ago as doctor said i

> may have inflammatory disease and she said it would not help ...but my

> pain is really bad again and i am heading towards not being able to work

> again and its scary cuz i need the money .... can anyone tell me whether

> Glycosomine helped them ?

My inflammation gets intolerable without a combination of Vioxx and

glucosamine. Either one alone does not not cut my inflammation. With both

I can function reasonably well. I have seen research where glucosamine

alone, or glucosamine plus advil many times will provide substantial relief.

Here are some links;

http://www.glucosamine-arthritis.org/glucosamine-research/glucosamine-knee-osteo\

arthritis-ibuprofen.html

http://my.webmd.com/content/article/79/96162.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=1\

1548225 & dopt=Abstract

You might take these links to your doctor, especially the last one. The big

drug companies are not interested in seeing glucosamine taking the profits

from their drugs of choice.

Mike

MT

[Guest guest]

Re: TENS

> yes.... i have a bunch of boxes of Vioxx samples here that i am looking at

> and have been debating starting them ... i am scared when i take new

> medicine ... Vioxx is not covered on my drug plan so i have the samples to

> try out ... how long would it take before the Vioxx would work?

It usually starts to work in a couple hours for me. Glucosamine can take

several days to a week or more. Because of new side effects from Vioxx

coming out, IMO I wouldn't recommend more than 25 mg. per day, but most

prescriptions were not more than that.

>

> i also do believe that the Glycosomine was helping me keep the

> inflammation down but it still did get inflamed ... the cracking and

> grinding when trying to walk had been better too...when it grinds then it

> gets inflamed big time ... or does it start grinding once its inflamed? >

That may actually be a very good question, and given the variabiltiy of CP,

could be a different answer for different people. :-/

Mike

MT

[Guest guest]

by the way about my doctor prescribing Glycosomine to me - she never suggested

it she gave me anti-inflammatory but i asked her opinion on using other things

like " Shark Cartlidge " and some other names i had from Health Store and she

suggested that if i was going to try something the only one she can vouch at all

for would be Glycosomine as it has been clinically proven to help ... and none

of the other ones i had mentioned had been ... Glycosomine is also cheaper than

others ...

hey theres a question?

Anyone tried Shark Cartlidge and other Health Store methods ?

i saw an infomercial on TV that claims Copper helps and that Glycosomine does

not even help without copper for the building of cartlidge.... lol....

???????????/

SwEEtLeAf <sweet_leaf_ca@...> wrote:

yes.... i have a bunch of boxes of Vioxx samples here that i am looking at and

have been debating starting them ... i am scared when i take new medicine ...

Vioxx is not covered on my drug plan so i have the samples to try out ... how

long would it take before the Vioxx would work?

i also do believe that the Glycosomine was helping me keep the inflammation down

but it still did get inflamed ... the cracking and grinding when trying to walk

had been better too...when it grinds then it gets inflamed big time ... or does

it start grinding once its inflamed? lol

my back is also been real bad though - the knee and back (sciatic) pain seem to

go together a lot ... even my toes hurt ...

any info or opinions help folks .....thx .

Mike Bernhardt <mlbernhardt@...> wrote:

Re: TENS

>

> i am wondering as winter is approaching and i have to stand at bus stops

> in the cold and it really really hurts my knees and hands in the cold ....

> but i was thinking if i could get some sort of heating thing to put on

> knee and in mittens for winter ...i will have to look into this ... i need

> to beable to use it outside ...

>

> i was taking Glycosomine and i stopped about 4 weeks ago as doctor said i

> may have inflammatory disease and she said it would not help ...but my

> pain is really bad again and i am heading towards not being able to work

> again and its scary cuz i need the money .... can anyone tell me whether

> Glycosomine helped them ?

My inflammation gets intolerable without a combination of Vioxx and

glucosamine. Either one alone does not not cut my inflammation. With both

I can function reasonably well. I have seen research where glucosamine

alone, or glucosamine plus advil many times will provide substantial relief.

Here are some links;

http://www.glucosamine-arthritis.org/glucosamine-research/glucosamine-knee-osteo\

arthritis-ibuprofen.html

http://my.webmd.com/content/article/79/96162.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=1\

1548225 & dopt=Abstract

You might take these links to your doctor, especially the last one. The big

drug companies are not interested in seeing glucosamine taking the profits

from their drugs of choice.

Mike

MT