Using a tens machine to remind my brain where my legs are.

[BuntyP]

On 17 August 2017 I woke up and within an hour couldn't walk, sit up or breathe deeply and went into hospital. Over the next five days I improved enough to be able to sit up but when I tried to stand I just fell to my knees. On day 11, whilst discussing what might help with walking with the physio, I mentioned using a tens machine to remind my brain where my left arm is as it has caused problems since I had Lyme disease several years ago. My neighbour brought in my tens machine and I started electrocuting the front of my thighs as these were the muscles my brain was ignoring. It was the first time I had stood upright safely for 12 days. At last I could walk and went home a week later. I can walk fairly well with the tens stimulation but when I turn it off I rapidly fall to my knees and I become exhausted very quickly and then lose my core strength turning from 54 to 74! Overall I am slowly improving and sometimes I can walk 10 or 20 feet without the tens but is completely unreliable. I thought I'd post this in case other people find using tens stimulation helps remind their brain to communicate with their muscles too.

[Lucy-15]

Wow what a tough time you've been having! Thanks for sharing

I too have walking difficulties, left leg tires quickly then I loose control of it ...I've only used my tend machine when muscles spasm in my thigh and it gets tight and painful.

Did seem to ease it a little, on the tens setting, also the massage setting. Still find heated bag you pop into the microwave really helps too.

Onwards and upwards.. I hope for you. Take it easy. One step at a step!! Lucy in Brighton

[Dave_1]

This is very interesting indeed. I have seen documentaries of accident victims having similar stimulation given by electrical impulses that have had a prolonged effect even after they have been removed. I wonder does this help create new neural pathways for those corrupted by FND. Worth pursuing.

Good luck, most of us would try anything to get an edge or control back.

[Cmb3210]

Hi buntyp just wondering how u are doing now...hopefully better

[BuntyP]

Slowly improving, I have about 3 hours of activity a day in lots of short bursts.