worried

[Luludean]

I was seen by a wonderful physio in the pain / physio clinic yesterday , I have widespread arthritis . I was recommended to ise a Tens Machine. I have had mitral valve repair and am in persistent A F. It seems it could be dangerous for me to use it. Advice please! L

[Jalia]

I don't know about mitral valve repair but I have used Tens for Sciatica and arthritis and it hadn't affected my AF.

[Luludean in reply to Jalia]

Glad to hear that Jalia. Thank you but, I will talk to cardiology first. L

[Blearyeyed]

I think it's something you should check with your local Cardiac Unit helpline.Tens isn't right for everyone, and different heart conditions can make it inappropriate to use.

Which doctor suggested that you try TENS?

Do you know if they took your other health issues into account?

Personally, I'd want more facts before I tried it , as some people can have AF triggered by using Stimulation devices, especially if their condition has autonomic nervous system dysfunction as a cause, some are ok.

Rule of thumb is that even if you are generally ok with TENS or Vagal Stimulation, you should use a prescribed device or a medical grade unit that is r provided or recommended by your professional health provider.

Don't just buy one from the internet , you have to use the type that is safest and most appropriate based on professional assessment and recommendation by the specialist involved in your Cardiac care. You need more input on which type of unit is ok to use with cardiac conditions and if you need to be more careful about not using stimulation in certain areas of your body.

You also need to build up use from a short test, this reduces the chance of the stimulation being too excessive at first and reduces the risk of it triggering your heart arrhythmias or making your daily symptoms worse.

If you have a period of AF triggered by a stimulation device you shouldn't keep trying to use it.

If you have an active period of PAF , or feel one is about to occur don't use the TENS or stimulation device at that point. Leave it for at least 3 days upto a week after an active episode of AFib before you use your Stimulation Device again , as you will be more sensitive to it and it is more likely to be a trigger in those circumstances. The guidelines may be different for persistent AFib , but the guidelines may also mean TENS isn't appropriate.

Whether or not TENS or Vagal Stimulation Devices are helpful or triggering to AFib , arrhythmias or other cardiac conditions often depends on what you have and whether autonomic nerve dysfunction plays a role in your conditions.

I have a Gammacore Vagal Stimulation Device on prescription for Cluster Headaches and Migraine Prevention, these are the rules I was given in relation to my AFib by my Cardiologist and Neurologist.

I can use it only when I am not suffering from active AFib or Arrhythmias and when my cardiac function is stable.

I find it's pretty hit or miss in helping with my pain , either Migraines, Fibromyalgia or inflammatory pain anyway. It is vaguely numbing but still there, I've not found it helped me to feel more mobile during flares . You have arthritis so you probably know what I mean by the term " numb pain" that's basically what you are left with in my experience.

Hope that helps , Bee

[Luludean in reply to Blearyeyed]

My goodness Bee!!!! Thank you for such a wonderful post!!! It covers everything I needed to know !! I am grateful !!

[Blearyeyed in reply to Luludean]

Just rechecked myself and even the TENS company don't recommend it's use if you have persistent AFib unless it's recommended by a Cardiologist.And you do need to take more care in where you can apply electrodes.

It's actually more likely to cause issues for people with AFib than things like Vagal Stimulation devices, and I have to be really careful with that.

If it was my decision I don't think I'd bother.

Especially if you have to buy it yourself and it isn't being supplied by your NHS clinic, the approved medical grade devices cost a fortune, it's a big expense to shell out for something that may not work or make you feel worse.

Haven't they offered you a trial with a device they provide?

Or was it a private consultation?

If it was just based on physio advice I think they need to be reminded to double check their patients full medical history, not just the issue they are treating them for before making suggestions " off the cuff".

[Luludean in reply to Blearyeyed]

Hi Bleary eyed, it was recommended by the pain clinic physio/ doctor.She had read all my cardio and RA history. She whowed me on line which Tens to buy. The pain in the knee which I had then and 2 weeks before is now much worse. Just stayed in and moped and imagined all the things it could be. I have a fertile imagination . Will try to speak to a GP tomorrow . L

[Blearyeyed in reply to Luludean]

Just double check with the Cardio helpline or cardio, if you are only using the Tens below the waist and you don't have additional issues with your autonomic nervous system or neuropathies pain that can radiate to other areas , like with Fibromyalgia, you may still be able to use it.Is the pain from RA or OA alone , or have you got some other sort of knee injury , joint or cartilage degeneration or bursitis etc.

It can make a difference to what will make any improvement.

Have you had a steroid injection or other treatments?

[Luludean in reply to Blearyeyed]

I have no RA medication .

I have certainly not used the Tens.

I don’t really know what I have I do know what is wrong heart wise , No I don’t think I’ve had a knee injury , last week’s pain clinic would have found that. L

[Blearyeyed in reply to Luludean]

Oh so it's all caused by RA or OA? Maybe it's time for them to start considering you inflammatory pain options including meds.

Hope you get it sorted out soon. Take care , Bee

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

I was diagnosed Rapid and Persistent AG with Stroke and 4th Day Thyroid Cancer.

I was given a 10s Machine after J & Johnson mesh kit was OK to use on ,y anle or Lower back. The ohysiotherapist gave it to me.

All I can say is the nodes aren't anywhere near my heart. Also uou turn up or down the pulsing.

cheri JOY. 76. (NZ)

[Luludean in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi Cheri joy. Thank you for your post. My son is a doctor on Whangarei. L

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Luludean]

Hi

Great. Whangarei is a good place to be except no sea view like I have. 2 hours drive up on the East coast.

I should have said J&J Mesh kit removal. The tens machine stimulates the bladder.

I might use it on my knee. In 2022 I suffered an accident and had a bad twist to my knee. I was told MRI shows some small tears. But continuing pain and stiffness I went bacj and asked my Orthopaedic Surgeon to have a look. Under our ACC system I had another MRI.

The same image.

The surgeon went in and he found a terrible tear. He said that he had to cut it out,(The meniscus)

Now in 2025 with the continued pain and stiffness in the morning and in bed, he arranged for an xray as he pressed two bones and oh dear so sore. The xray came back with lots of bone changes including arthritis. This is a younger orthopaedic surgeon and he made a splendid repair on my right shoulder in late October last year.

I trust him. So he will be talking to me about surgery on mt right shoulder elbow and now my knee.

Whangarei Hospital is reknown for great surgeons there.

What sort of Dr is your son?

There is no history of arthritis in both sides of my family. We could move to private messaging by clicking on my image.

cheri JOY

[Qualipop]

I was told it was fine as long as I didn't use it on my upper back directly behind my heart.

[Luludean in reply to Qualipop]

Qualipop. All I can say is that I have checked and been told not to. L

[Qualipop in reply to Luludean]

A pity; it's never affected me on lower back or legs or even my shoulders, in fact I used it yesterday.

[Luludean]

That is good Qualipop,

I think the difference between us is that though of course we share great health problems , you may not have had heart surgery. Of course I am often wrong . L

[BaileyC57]

Check it out with your doctor first, I have the tens and my doctor said NO!

[Luludean in reply to BaileyC57]

Thank you Bailey , you were wise in checking with your GP. L