Wellness

[Poodlepet2]

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

[Poodlepet2]

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

Poodlepet

[Pqfan]

Thankyou for this information Poodlepet

I will look into this for my mom.

[Poodlepet2]

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

[pdxlalesley]

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.

[gazelle77]

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.

[Kachina624]

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.

[Big Sister]

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

[Mom2Dogs]

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.

[dooBdoo]

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.