(tens) to twenty

[Guest guest]

Hello group been following your posts and thaught it was time to

introduce myself. I'm 55 living on the central coast of california. In

1969 I blew out my left knee in PE doing the longjump onto wet sand.

I tore four ligaments. I had two surgeries, the last one in 70 they

removed the meniscus. So no cartalidge, bone to bone, ouch. Then in

1980 stepped in a hole, I fell and herniated the L4-5 disc I've had no

back surgery as of yet.

I didn't have pain management available till " 96 " . I'm taking oxycontin

40mg twice a day and up to 3 roxycodone a day. throw in a little soma

and there you have it. My pain doc has been pressureing me into having

a nuero stimulator implanted in me. So I was given a (tens) device an

exterior nuerostimulator for test drive. All I can say is the pain is

replaced with a wierd tingley sensation but it doesn't stop all the

pain. I could only take it for about an hour. So the doc suggested a

lower setting for longer session. All that did was give me more pain,

and less tingle.

Anyone here have any experience with this device?

Thank you

Bob

[Guest guest]

Hi Bob,

On April 30th I had the permanent implant of the spinal cord stimulator. This

was done to relieve pain I was suffering due to a degenerative disc condition in

my back, where the pain went from my low back (prior laminectomy & spinal fusion

L3-L5) down to above right knee.

Yes, there is a tingly sensation. It feels like a constant massage. I would

rather have this feeling than what I was experiencing before. On a scale of

1-10, before surgery I was between 7-8. Now, 3 weeks later, my pain level is a

2-3! I admit that not all pain is eliminated. However, the benefits of the scs

are fantastic!

I highly recommend the scs! I have the one made by Advanced Bionics.

Therefore, if your pain management specialist is also recommending it, follow

his advice! Do not feel " pressured! "

Jef

----- Original Message ----

My pain doc has been pressureing me into having

a nuero stimulator implanted in me. Anyone here have any experience with this

device?

[Guest guest]

Moderator's note:

NiCad battery stands for nickel-cadmium.

http://tinyurl.com/2lnw4g

Kaylene

Bob

I'm on my second TENS unit in the last 13 years. I'm 54 with a back fusion and

multiple herniated discs.

I've gotten to the point where I'm using my unit basically maxed out on its

settings but it still helps me deal with pain.

The " tingly " feeling is normal, I tell people its like constantly getting a low

grade electrical shock. I limit my usage to when I'm going to be out of the

house for more than a couple of hours, which brings on break thru pain for me.

My docs have said I used it so much when I was still working that I've almost

become " immune " to the signals and thats why I've backed off it so much the last

2 years.

While I was working there were days when I had my unit on for up to 10 hours a

day to be able to keep working.

TENS is the only way I'm able to get through any outside situations like

children's school affairs, a movie, concert, or family gatherings. Truthfully ,

I don't attend many of those, but I do try to get outside once in a while and

TENS is the only way I get through them.

As soon as I turn mine off I can see the pain level increase again and by 15-20

minutes I'm back at my " normal " pain, sometimes more depending on how active I

was while out.

I too am thinking about getting an implanted unit, although I'm not sold

completely on it yet. Mainly I'm just afraid that I'll be one of the ones it

doesn't help, and I would be just adding more scar tissue to my lower back.

Thats what at least one doctor says is my main

problem now.

You'll find the more you use it the longer you'll be able to have it on at the

level you have it set at because you will get used to it.

I also use rechargeables " medical " grade batteries. It cuts the cost down

greatly and the NiCADs I use can last for years.

Using the store bought alkaline batteries , I've found I drain them in a day or

2 at most but I can get the same usually out of my rechargeables.

good luck with it

Jim

---bob wrote:

>So I was given a (tens) device an exterior neurostimulator for test >drive. All

I can say is the pain is replaced with a weird tingly >sensation but it doesn't

stop all the pain.

[Guest guest]

Bob wrote:

My pain doc has been pressuring me into having

a neuro stimulator

---------

Bob

I have had a neuro spinal cord stimulator since Sept. 06. It has

changed my life so much from what it use to be. I have tears and

bulging at L3-L4, L4-L5, and no disc at L5-S1 and whets left is

protruding.

Before I had the stimulator I had to use the electric cart at wal-mart

or when I went to get groceries. To fix a meal was sheer agony

sometimes I couldn't get it all done and had to have my hubby finish

up. My pain levels were usually running around 8. With the stimulator

I haven't had to use the electric cart since. I can now go to

wal-mart I usually turn it on when I go into the store and when my

pain levels get higher I turn it up higher. I can now fix dinner and

not stop. It has allowed me to do a few more things then I use to do.

I am still unable to return to work as I have to stand all day on my

job. If I stand to long for about an hour it sends my pain levels

higher with the stimulator. For the most part it has given me back a

little of my former life. When I use the stimulator I can get my pain

levels down to 3-4.

There are times when it does nothing for my pain. That depends on

the weather and when I over do it. When that happens nothing

touches the pain. So those are the days I don't do to much. It has

a least let me not be sitting in my recliner day in day out.

There are other advantages to having one as it lets the muscles in

your back become stronger because of the increase in your daily

activities.

So at least do the trial as see how it goes. The tingling does get

on my nerves if I have had to run it all day. So I just turn it off

and rest in my recliner.

in Missouri