Tens machine

newbury1

Does anyone use a tens machine for controlling pain?

My OH has one and I used it once but I don't think I was sticking the pad thingys in the right place.

I have OA in my spine (lumbar) which causes unbearable sciatia. has anyone any suggestions?
Heather.

joanlawson

Hi Heather

I have used a tens machine with some success. I was told not to put the pads directly on the site of the pain, but near to it. I think you need to experiment a bit to find the best place for you. I also had to have it set quite high to have any effect.

I have used it for bursitis in my hip.

Joan

jordan7j

Hi Heather, I have just bought a TENS machine on recommendation of Joy on here. It does help, as to positioning of electrodes I think its a case of trial and error. My feet are my main problem, so I used it there, I have tried 2 different places and 2 different settings so far. Not sure if I have it right yet, but will keep trying. Its worth a try I think, thyey are mnot too expensive. Good luck Jay

woodbon

Hi, I've used one in the past, the physio showed my how to place the pads and it helped. But that was for an injury quite a long time ago and as I got better I stopped using it. Then when I got this badly last year, I got it out and couldn't work out how to use it, I did try, but it didn't help. The fault was me, not the machine and as I have to go to physio next week for an assesment I'll ask where to put it - wonder what the answer will be ..... Love Sue

frogmorton

Hi
Just bought one and am using for sciatica/reffred pain/burstis!
Two on base of back and one under buttock one behind knee as per the instruction book.
Give me time and I'll let you know how it gose!
Toni x

cazsudz

MT OH bought me one when I couldn't sleep with knee pain and I find it helps temporarily but not long-term. There is a booklet with the machine showing you where to put the pads for particular sites of pain.

I do find it helps me get to sleep. You can set it to go off after a certain time (15 mins, 30 mins etc)., so I put it on when I'm settling down to sleep and can be sure that if I fall asleep with it on it won't be on all night.

My doc says it can't possibly do any harm ,so why not give it a try. Mine cost about £50 from Boots

Caz

lindalegs

I bought one this summer and find it really helpful when the meds aren't enough and it's a while to the next dose of painkiller.

I use the timer and set it for an hour increasing the pulses when needed. Actually I get a bit hooked on mine because I feel disappointed when it switches off :shock:

I think mine was £60 from Boots. One word of warning though - probably more for the boys than the girls - watch out when you stick the pads on a hairy site :shock: 'cos it's a bu**er when you have to take them off

Luv Legs who quite likes being a Buzz Lightyear

topcatt

I have found my tens machine a godsend, I was getting relief from this and heat pads when no medication was working, even a combo of diclofenac and co-codomol in strong doses. There is a little booklet that comes with it and if you pm me I would be happy to copy this and send it to you. It shows you where to place the pads and what programme to use depending on the pain you are suffering from etc., mine was from boots and I would recommend it to anyone who has trouble with pain relief. Certainly worth a try and I was even going to sleep with it on!

joyful164

Hello Newbury
I think you will see quite a few do use a TENS machine
I bought mine from Lloyds Pharmcy on Line. They had a very good off of 2 for £20 - they are usually about £15 each. You need to read the instructions carefully, but my gp told me to place the pads either side of the spine, e.g. if you have neck, shoulder arm wrist pain, you need to place the two pads either side of the spine at the base of the neck/ top of shoulders. You do not put the pads on the actual pain. I couldn't get on with them to begin with, but after talking to my gp I was ok.

Jordon - so glad I was of some help.
Hope they are working. I think I will be using mine tonight.

joy

patriciamary

newbury1 wrote:

Does anyone use a tens machine for controlling pain?

My OH has one and I used it once but I don't think I was sticking the pad thingys in the right place.

I have OA in my spine (lumbar) which causes unbearable sciatia. has anyone any suggestions?
Heather.

I have been using a tens machine for a couple of years. Use it for a couple of weeks then leave a week off because I found I was getting used to it. I use it on my hip but was told by Rhuematologist to use it on my back because the hip pain was being referred from my back, but I ended up with terrible back pain so went back to using it on my hip. You put it on in the morning and only switch it on when you need to its been great for me. The machine usually comes with a booklet explaining where to put the pads in relation to the pain. Hope it works for you I would be murdering people some days without my tens.

ritwren

About a year ago my Physio let me borrow one from the hospital for a trial for a week to see how I got on. I thought it a good help so got the name of the company they use and ordered one, if you have a long term condition then you don't have to pay ?VAT or something. Anyhow I use it at least twice a week. I'd be lost without it, sometimes I use it every day. The one I have will also do pulses as in acupuncture as well as the normal buz and is very easy to work.
Good luck with yours as everyone else says, it's a matter of getting the position of the pads right and the levels.
Sorry I'm really tired, not sure if Im making a lot of sense. :oops:
rita

woodbon

Hi,
When I saw my Physio yesterday, she said that TENS machines can help, I have an old one that belonged to my Mother in Law! So I will get a new one. She said not to put the pads on the direct place the pain is, but around it and experiment until you find the place that works best for you. So I'm off to buy a new machinge tomorrow! Good luck with yours. Love Sue

tkachev

My tens machine didnt make a difference to me so I binned it!But glad to read it is helping others.
I should have kept it to pass on to someone else shouldnt I?
Regards Tkachev

newbury1

Thanks for all your answers. Have tried the tens nearly every day this week and once you get the hang of it, it really does seem to help. I was able to walk fairly normally where before I was limping all the time so that's got to be a bonus. Discussed it with my Physio as well and he said if it works for you then continue it for now.

Have been given some different painkillers by the doc's - elephant strength I think as all I want to do is sleep! Not always practical in a busy office so I'll persevere with my tens at work and painkillers when I'm not.
Heather.