Tens machine, recommendations please

[Iona467]

I'm having dreadful nerve pains mainly in arms/legs 24/7 and some replies have mentioned using a Dual Tens machine. Can anyone recommend one, I've heard that the Med-Fit 1 is good. I'm taking medication but this only lasts for up to 4 hours and this is after it kicks in. Feeling desperate!

[ninjananna]

Morning! I was sent to a "Tens Group" last week through the pain clinic and found that in the 25 minutes it was on my hand it helped enormously!! I am definitely going to invest and was given a list of suppliers, including Amazon. I personally think it is a good investment as we all know fibromyalgia isn't restricted to one area and it can be used everywhere except the front of the neck! Good luck!.... I hope this helps...much love...ninja!...xxx

[nedd in reply to ninjananna]

Were it not for my tens I would be a head case.

Doesn't take the pain away just acts as a diversion.

I have found over the years that I get the best results when I wack it on various bits of me, sometimes the pads irritate the skin but even that's worth it.

Can't hurt to give it a try.

Good luck.

I've got 2 one dual and one from a high street chemist.

[aura2 in reply to nedd]

I wouldnt be without mone wear it everyday sometimes in bed...med- fit 1 amazon £25 ..i also have all singing dancing one £65.. i much prefer the cheaper one ... Find the setting that suits you switch on and off ....

[Iona467 in reply to aura2]

Great, thanks for this!

[Iona467 in reply to nedd]

Thanks, is there any diff using both machines?

[Shazzzy in reply to nedd]

I agree with nedd, they are a good distraction. I have an inexpensive one from lloyds chemist works fine, plenty of different strengths and settings fir the price, try borrowing one first from nhs.

[Iona467 in reply to ninjananna]

Thanks, I'm going to try it! x

[Iona467 in reply to ninjananna]

great, thanks

[Iona467 in reply to ninjananna]

Great, yes, going to buy one! x

[Hidden]

Ask at one of the larger chemists if it is possible for you to try one first.

My Hubby swears by his, But it sends me screaming to get it off.

Even before i feel anything from the Tens i get shooting pains in the area that the pads are placed and the last time i tried i put it on my hip and got electric shocks in the top of my foot.

Most people are fine with them and i hope that they work for you. I just wish that they worked for me.

sue

[Iona467 in reply to Hidden]

Will see if I can try first. Thanks.

[Hidden]

Mine is from Lloyds chemists - their own brand and it's pretty good. X

[Iona467 in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I saw that this got a good write-up, thanks

[pinkgin64]

Thanks for raising this question and also the to the people who have posted as I had discounted a tens machine since one pain consultant told me that it was a bad idea. He told me that my nerves are all overstimulated and consequently to stimulate them more would result in increased pain. He was so patronising and the only thing he didn't say was duhhh! I did not think it was a stupid question as I delivered my last child drug free thanks to a tens machine and gas and air (in the years before Fibro).

I may well ask if I can try one too. Please let me know if it works for you.

Regards,

Gin

[Iona467 in reply to pinkgin64]

They can be very patronising as I've found out! Will try one out!

[pinkgin64]

Indeed they can. Since then I have learned that the pain consultant who caused me increased pain for approx 8 months is an anaesthetist with an extra qualification. He had an awful attitude to Fibromyalgia and told me that he would not give me any nerve blocks or offer me further treatment as I have Fibro and I've got to learn to 'get on with it'. However, the Neurologist who specialises in headaches has not only prescribed beta blockers but performed an occipital nerve root block which has been so successful to date and can be repeated. I would really like to go back to him and tell him how much better I am since I have been given the correct treatment. I'd love to tell him how miserable the pain filled months were when his decision not to treat was put into action. I refer to him as a tin god as he seems to enjoy the power he has over his patient lives.

I think he was annoyed as he had said that I was an ideal candidate for the pain management programme, which I completed last summer. Usually people are not referred to the programme unless there is nothing else that can be done. If this consultant was to admit I needed further treatment and had not been discharge me from his care then questions may be raised. I admit that I have become a cynical but don't let it eat into me. Those days are in the past now, hooray!

Hope you have a really good day,

Gin xxxx

[Iona467 in reply to pinkgin64]

Glad to hear you have been treated well at last. I was sent to the pain management team who were a bit off with me at first and now having injections in my back on Friday but having to live with the pain. I know they couldn't! xx

[Offcut]

My wife uses one and says it helps. About £12 from lloyds and we got extra pads from Amazon.

I cannot use it as I have heart conditions I am in constant pain and on Tramadol every 4 hours

Be Well

[Iona467 in reply to Offcut]

Sorry to hear this. I was taking Tradol, didn't see any improvement so needed more, GP won't prescribe them! Had them for back pain. xx

[pinkgin64]

So pleased you're being treated well now. Considering they are supposed to help us maintain our dignity their communication skills could do with a bit of tweaking at times.

Let's face it, all we want is to treat all that is treatable. We are all aware that we will have to live with pain but I would rather live with the untreatable pain and not the pain that has a treatable cause. Other patients get their pain treated, there is no need to write off the Fibro patients. We live and learn and if I was in a similar position again I would speak up. I was vulnerable at the time as I wasn't sleeping more than two or three hours in any 24 hour period and was at a really low ebb. Happy to say I've bounced back and am so much happier now.

Hope all goes well for Friday,

Gin x

[Iona467 in reply to pinkgin64]

Pleased you are better. It is so frustrating and draining to live such a non-life. Sadly, as I have lots wrong and have been admitted to hospital too, my GP thinks I am a problem now. x

[Ktatmolehole]

I've used a few and found the med fit 3 is the best. It has different setting, different strengths, you can use it in two different places on body. It is light and the battery last a long time. To me it's the best one and the one that helps block pain wether it be in my tummy, back, neck etc.

Hope that helps.

[Iona467 in reply to Ktatmolehole]

Thanks

[nedd]

Hi if you are still under the hospital ask if you can borrow one.

At the J R I think you left a deposit that was refunded on return.

[Iona467 in reply to nedd]

Thanks

[Hidden]

Hi tens machines are good ive used about 4 different makes and found them

all good, try asking your doctor for a referal to a physio because some

let you try before you buy, and they sell them too.

[Iona467 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks

[Hidden]

Hi Iona,

With regards to the Tens Machine - Try the Premier Tens Plus Machine, available on ebay. Little bit pricy but you get your money's worth. Its programmable also, so can be used to treat other aliments as well. you might also get the microwaveable heat collar as part of the deal.

[Iona467 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks

[craftymummy]

I was given one to try from my physio when I had back pain, long time since, used it all day everyday to go to work. If you have a therapist they could recommend the right on and give you advice on the best settings as it can be difficult finding the right one without direction. I like the sound of the microwave collar above I could do with one myself

[Iona467 in reply to craftymummy]

Thanks

[TheAuthor]

Hi Iona467

I use a TENS Machine and i think they are wonderful, I would be lost without it.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[Iona467 in reply to TheAuthor]

Thanks Ken

[pinkgin64]

Hi Iona,

Did you get a tens machine?

How are you keeping now?

I'm not too bad, I've been able to do more than I could before Christmas. My headaches/migraines have returned but I am having another greater occipital nerve block on the 25th so will soon be free from them for another 10-12 weeks. Things are still looking up.

Kindest regards,

Gin

[RobertaWorthing]

I have had a Tens machine for a few years and love it, it really bashes away at the pain in very specific areas. I wish I had bought the one with four pads, mine only has two. I don't know if you have a Lloyds Pharmacy local to you but I know they have them. I have had every gadget that has come on the market in the past 20/30 years and the Tens machine is one of the best and so easy to use anywhere anytime.

[tiggyboo]

I have a cheap Lloyds chemist dual ine and its fine for me! Good luck x