Does anyone know if a TENS machine would be any help for fibro pain.

[grandmakim]

I am only days into my diagnosis and really struggling to even sit comfortably on an easy chair

[fyrefly]

Hi grandmakim, I bought a 'Touchtens' by Tenscare last week and have used it every day since. It's amazing and I no longer have to pop pills for my pain. I bought it from Amazon and it was reasonably priced at £25.98 with 4 stars and 74 recommendations.

I rate it for lots of reasons, mainly the fact that it's easy to use, compact shape, choice of 7 different programs i.e. pulsing,tingling,tapping sensations which you can adjust for higher intensity. It will also save your programs and has a timer function. There are 2 sets of paired pads which stick to the skin easily, no gel is required. You can use one pair of pads or both sets. It will clip onto your belt and you can wear it while you do the housework

I'm very pleased with mine, but there are lots out there, various prices and others might suit you better.

[grandmakim in reply to fyrefly]

Thankyou fyrefly for taking the time to reply. I will certainly be buying one, I am struggling at the moment to get my head round the diagnosis but in a way am relieved that I have a diagnosis and not just imagining it.

[fyrefly in reply to grandmakim]

You're welcome

[cafaitmal in reply to fyrefly]

Hi Fyrefly. I`m on Amazone website and just about to buy the Tenscare machine and I just thought I`d ask you if you were still using and stil pleased with it?

Many thanks,

Cafaitmalx

[fyrefly in reply to cafaitmal]

Sorry late in replying, yes I still love it !

[Sarah-Jane]

Hi Kim

Mine also helps me. I bought one on Amazon after borrowing my mothers - who had to have it back for her back. It was great until I misplaced it and my poor husband had to dash out and get me one from the local Boots. I rang them first and they held onto it for me - it was in a sale and the last one! I really needed it and had it on for 30 mins at a time with short breaks between.

It doesn't always work for me, but it does go a long way towards it and takes off the worst of it. Try also mediation music that helps you get to sleep - open ended so it doesn't suddenly wake you up! If you have an ipad you can look at their Podcasts. If you can ease tension it should help ease some of your pain.

Can I give you some tips? FM is often worse if you overdo things, anything repetative such as ironing and vacuuming requires muscles to work against each other causing friction = pain. Exercise is important, but be very very gentle as you may not know you have overdone something until the next day! Swimming is good - but gently. Maybe you can get hydrotherapy - but be very careful not to overdo it. I did. Felt wonderful at the time. Find your boundaries and only extend them gently when you are able to cope with consequences. Such as a walk down the garden making sure you can still get back - another time going a little further or less. Listen to your body.

I also found Fibromyalgia for Idiots a useful book for many reasons. But one area we all have problems with is telling others and this certainly helps with that. This is an invisible illness - like an all over headache or flu. People tend to think you are putting it on when you can sometimes do things and other times cannot. Took a while but work now get it.

Welcome to our group. Sorry you have FM, but welcome all the same.

Soft hugs

[grandmakim in reply to Sarah-Jane]

Thanks Sarah-Jane for taking the time to reply. Thanks for the tips I am appreciative of all advice and suggestions. I will certainly invest in the book today as I am finding explaining to people quite difficult. I have a kindle as sometimes struggle to hold a normal book so will start reading that shortly. Can I say it is lovely to have people reply who actually understand, some of my friends mean well but when trying to be understanding they say things that are really unhelpful. thanks for the hug I need lots of those at the moment

[jillylin]

Hi,

I would not be without mine, to certainly gives me a break from the pain for a short time. I have one with the four patches, as recommended by my physic. And remember, if you are buying it for a medical condition, you don't pay VAT :-).

I also have just bought " Fibromyalgia for dummies", Kindle version ( lighter to hold ) so am looking forward to that. Plus I have had some really good websites from the amazing folks here.

Hugs

[grandmakim]

Hi jillylin thanks for taking the time to reply. Fibromyalgia for dummies and a tens are on my list for today. If you could let me have some websites I would be very grateful. Thankyou for the hugs they are very much appreciated

[fibro]

This a refreshing thread to hear that so many of you are benefiting from using TENs Machines. I tried one out and persevered for a long while, but many years again. mine was from boots, but i understand that some physic depts or pain clinics will loan them out. Sadly they didn't work for me. My worse pains are around my hips and i just couldn't get the pads to say put. I have one that has loads of different setting and tried them all, i also had 'supervision' from a nurse/physio…sorry can't remember… and we tried out different combinations and different places to put the puss, but I still have it sitting in my cupboard now! They have also come down to a third of what they used to cost. I will try anything rather than 'pop' the pills, so i would have loved it to work for me.

Good luck to those who are getting some benefit, at least you have restored my faith in them, they may not work for me, but at least they do for others xx (((hugs)))

[aura2]

My tens is my second best friend .( my scooter is my first ) I have used one for yrs on my back hips arm knees . I had a switch on turn it up for a long time .. Then it broke ...... I bought one in boots didnt get on with at all so complicated . I now have a tens .maybe the same one as you flyefly , heaven , easy wouldnt be without it . On really bad pain it still takes the edge off .

[sue32]

Hi grandmakim!! Nice to meet you! I borrowed my aunt's TENs machine but I'm afraid it did nothing for my pain. Heat seems to make my pain worse. I have an ice pack that I use, which for me is better. But it doesn't make my pain any better......so why am I using it then??? Stupid woman!!!!!!! Honestly, you'd think I'd have learnt by now wouldn't you? But if it works for you than that's all that matters. Good luck chuck!! XX

[grandmakim]

Thanks Sue, hope you find something to help your pain. I have got the TENS on now and dont know really if its working or not!!!! I just wish I could sit comfortably but cant find a position where I dont hurt somewhere when sat . Suppose if it wasnt this I would have to find something else to moan about. I seem to have developed dyslexia, is this a common symptom ? Take Care Sue xx

[jess26]

Hi I use to use my tens machine all the time. it helped when it was on but the benefit of the tens disappeared as soon as i turned it off therefore no good when sleeping. \i also found that i had to keep rotating where i put the sticky pads as there didnt seem to be enough to cover all my trigger points at once. would love to use one againg just need one with 10+ sticky pads. all the best x

[LindseyMid]

TENS is covered in the 'Complementary Therapies & Fibro' factsheet:

fibroaction.org/Pages/Compl...