topic Re: Wow! This TENS unit really works! in Wellness

Wow! This TENS unit really works!

Poodlepet2 — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 14:54:48 GMT

I am so happy with my new TENS unit! My story in a nutshell is that I need bilateral knee replacement, but I am putting it off for a number of reasons. I also herniated a lumbar disc, so I have back issues too.

About two months ago, I began having severe pain at rest. I went to use my old TENS unit-at the very least I achieved some minor relief with it,but I have found these battery operated u.it's loose their charge very quickly and consequently lost what little strength they had. I never owned one that came anywhere near the power that an EMS unit used by physical therapist.

....well,I applied my old TENS unit and it was dead-and that turned out to be a blessing. I promptly logged on the computer to go shopping for a new one....and I have to tell you that I have asked physical therapists and my pain management doctor-is there not anything stronger out there for home use that does not run on disposable batteries that really works? Nobody knew about Healthmate Forever- that is for sure.

I was on the Big shopping site that offers every item you can think of, and they offered several brands and price points. The first thing that jumped out at me was the price: it was $299. I had never seen a TENS unit that expensive. I was expecting something in the range of $80-just like my old one which is being sold by Hammacher Schlemmer....what made it so expensive? For starters, it has a rechargeable lithium battery. So far, I have gotten HOURS of use out of my unit before it needed recharging. It has ten functions and each function has ten different strength levels. You can treat two different body parts-at the same file-sharing two different functions and two different strengths-that is huge! Best of all it is backed with a life time warranty.

This unit really world-class it came to me at a time when I really need it. I receive prescription analgesia along with a couple of prescription tropical. Pain and its management is different for everybody, but because of Healthmate Forever, I have not had to use any tropical as of late,and analgesia is good old non-precription ibuprofen. I have had this unit for two weeks-and I thank my Higher Power for it. It still hurts to walk-but the pain has decreased significantly. Pain at rest has been obliterated.

So, if you are on the market for a TENS unit, please check this out. They offer a wide variety, and yes, there are inexpensive models-that rechargeable lithium battery is a real game changer.

Poodlepet

Re: Wow! This TENS unit really works!

Poodlepet2 — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 14:59:04 GMT

Sorry about the typos-I am trying to get used to using my Kindle.

Poodlepet

Re: Wow! This TENS unit really works!

Pqfan — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 15:02:34 GMT

Thankyou for this information Poodlepet

I will look into this for my mom.

Re: Wow! This TENS unit really works!

Poodlepet2 — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 15:18:08 GMT

A post script-I have not used all of the functions on my unit, but on the ones I use most frequently, I have not come anywhere near the maximum settings. This is significant because with the battery operated models within the first few uses, I was using maximum settings and while I had a little pain relief, the maximum settings on the battery models deplete the battery.

Poodlepet

Re: Wow! This TENS unit really works!

pdxlalesley — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 03:47:02 GMT

Not sure if this is relevant to anyone, but in 1985 I had surgery to remove a dermoid cyst and it was done at a teaching hospital. At the time the T.E.N.S. units were still in the experimental stage I think. When I awoke from surgery I had this little unit at my side and several tiny conductors taped around the surgical site. The strength gauge on the unit was 1 -10. I was offered iv pain meds and refused as I felt no pain. It was explained to me that the electrical current blocks the message to the brain that would say you were in pain/distress.

The morning after surgery I was washing my hair in the sink, walking briskly in the halls with my iv stand, a happy camper. 2 days later I was being sent home and by then my unit was at 10, the max. I never felt any pain at all. When it was taken off I thought I would die from the agony. I was begging for painkillers.

My point being, please if you suffer from chronic pain, give the T.E.N.S a try. I don't know if you need a rx for them anymore or not. I think they can work miracles.

Re: Wow! This TENS unit really works!

gazelle77 — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 03:55:07 GMT

Poodlepet, I hope you do have your surgery for your knees, I know all about the knee pain...horrible! I had BTKR one year ago and it was the most wonderful life changing surgery. I have no pain! I had been using crutches prior to surgery my pain was that bad. I am going to have my hips done next.

Re: Wow! This TENS unit really works!

Kachina624 — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 07:04:52 GMT

I have a good Tens Unit my insurance got me for my back. I couldn't tell it did any good at all. I can't find the cord (electric) so I no longer use it.

Re: Wow! This TENS unit really works!

Big Sister — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 09:59:45 GMT

Thanks for the info. I will pass it on to someone who could use the TENS unit.

Re: Wow! This TENS unit really works!

Mom2Dogs — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 12:02:26 GMT

Poodlepet, can you share the web site address? Thanks

I have a TENS unit, it is battery operated not rechargable but it does the job. I am having a lot of hand/wrist pain and maybe I could find something on the web site to help out that pain.

Re: Wow! This TENS unit really works!

dooBdoo — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 12:11:13 GMT

I have a TENS unit (mine is from Rehabilicare). It was recommended by my PT (I have disabling, atypical intractable migraines and this unit is used on the muscles in the back of the neck, upper back, and across the top of the shoulders). It works beautifully with regular or with rechargeable batteries. Because it was prescribed, part of the cost was covered by insurance.

I also used one years ago when I injured my lower back at work (I work in numerous hospitals). I had to remain on the job while undergoing PT for the injury. (Warning, however: among other adverse reactions, when you use a TENS to block "pain messaging" while you're active, you might risk causing further damage without realizing it.).

It helped me, but it doesn't work for everyone.

There are many, many different types of TENS units. I would urge caution and professional advice prior to purchasing and using one, particularly at the stronger settings. Often, practitioners will provide one on loan so you can try it out before making the investment in the device.

Re: Wow! This TENS unit really works!

Poodlepet2 — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 13:32:39 GMT

Momtodogs,just go to Healthmateforever.com.

A couple of good points have been brought up.I have seen signs in my psychiatrist's office that says Medicare will cover TENS units. That being said, I wonder if it is limited to particular brand or model. I have been through the battery types, and while they helped-a little-just don't compare to what I have now....and the cost of batteries? One day, I went through eight batteries.

The next point is that WITH a doctor's approval, dooBdoo is using a TENS unit for the treatment of migraines. You do not need a prescription to buy a TENS unit but there a number of medical conditions for which it is a big no-no. Make sure you check with your doctor-particularly in the head and neck region.

Finally,I would like to point out a few other features of the HealthmateForever.They sell a wide variety of inexpensive contact pads-all sizes. There are even slippers that connect to the unit-and I think they are only ten bucks. I am getting pair for my husband: I'm hoping this might help his gout flares. Did I mention that they also have hot and cold packs? This is such a great unit.....

Poodlepet

Re: Wow! This TENS unit really works!

CaliKat — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 14:30:10 GMT

Poodlepet,

Congratulations on finding something to give you some much needed pain relief!

I have constant, excruciating pain in my back, and upper buttocks, caused by sacroiliac joint dysfunction. I can only stand on my feet a couple minutes before the pain forces me to sit down. I also have peripheral neuropathy.

I would love to try the tens unit you have. I have looked on the HealthMate Forever website, but I can't find one for $299.00. I see them at many different prices, above and below that, but I'd like to try the one you've had success with. Would you mind telling me the model number of the one you purchased?

Re: Wow! This TENS unit really works!

Poodlepet2 — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 15:32:21 GMT

Calikat,I made a mistake on the price: mine was$399. The unit I have is Hm10AB TENS EMS.

Before you buy it-and it is expensive-I thought of something. If you have been to physical therapy, did you ever have EMS? If you experienced relief with that, that could be a very good indicator of how well this could work for you. Please let me know- I hope you find some relief. When you live with the type of pain that we do, anything helps.

Poodlepet

Re: Wow! This TENS unit really works!

Mom2Dogs — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 15:43:34 GMT

thanks poodlepet.....

Re: Wow! This TENS unit really works!

Kachina624 — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 03:46:33 GMT

CaliKat, get your doctor to prescribe the unit. My insurance rented the machine for me and after I used it a couple of months, they paid for it and sent me the warranty.

Re: Wow! This TENS unit really works!

CaliKat — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 18:05:44 GMT

Poodlepet,

Thank you for the model number. I did receive some kind of electrical therapy, many year ago. I don't know what it was. The physical therapist connected electrodes (I guess) to my back. It felt good while I was getting it, along with heat and massage, but I can't say which one gave me the most relief long term. Nothing took the pain away completely. But my condition is a lot worse than it was then.

I'm hoping by wearing something that will block the pain impulses from the brain, that I will get enough relief to do some of the normal activities I used to. Just being able to walk slowly for more than a couple minutes would be an improvement. Thanks again!

kachina624,

Thank you for your suggestion to ask my doctor for a prescription. That's a great idea! I will definitely ask him.

Re: Wow! This TENS unit really works!

Poodlepet2 — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 21:17:57 GMT

Calikat why not ask your doctor for a referral to PT-and ask him to specify electro stim as the main modality. I would ask for at least three visits and if you experience relief while you are having the treatment, I would say there is a very good chance the type of TENS unit I have could help you. Who knows maybe your insurance will cover the cost.

I use mine throughout the day-and I suppose it's this way for everbody-there are good days and bad days, but I always get appreciable relief. I have read that the long term effects are not known....well I asked a neurosurgeon who I know very well about that. He aptly pointed out to me that installing spinal cord simulators is one of the procedures he does and patients are not told to limit its use....but spinal stim does not work for everybody which is why a trial is done before a permanent device is installed.

It's up to you, but if you have insurance and it's not a supreme headache to get a referral,I think a "test drive" with electro stimulation would help you make a decision....and I do so hope it does help. This machine has increased the quality of my life in so many ways.

Poodlepet

Re: Wow! This TENS unit really works!

dooBdoo — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 21:34:13 GMT

On 7/15/2014 kachina624 said: CaliKat, get your doctor to prescribe the unit. My insurance rented the machine for me and after I used it a couple of months, they paid for it and sent me the warranty.

Hi, kacina624!

Yes, this is what I said in my post. Some practitioners will arrange for a unit on loan so the patient can determine if it's a good choice for them, and mine was recommended by my PT and I then had a prescription from my doctor for it so part of the cost was covered by insurance.

By doing it this way, not only can the patient minimize the cost but also can have the input of their PT and their physician about which device is best for them.