UPDATE Looking for TENS Unit Recommendations

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StuUnderPressure
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Re: Looking for TENS Unit Recommendations

Post by StuUnderPressure » Sun Aug 17, 2014 3:22 pm

kteague wrote:My once trusty Empi Select TENS Unit is begging to be retired. I've used it almost every night since late 2010, and it was my salvation from the torment of this malady of PLMD. Battery cover pegs broken, metal battery contacts repeatedly reglued into place, intermittent loss of connection. One of my worst fears is it will finally die before I can afford to replace it, and I shudder at the thought of returning to the hell that used to be my every night with my jumpy legs. Looked at some online but was quickly overwhelmed by the choices. Looking for something basic, don't need bells and whistles that add to the cost. Any recommendations (or warnings) from other TENS users?
Since the Empi Select seems to be the brand / Model most mentioned here, just curious as to why you are looking for something different?

What made you buy the Empi Select in the 1st place?

Is price alone the reason you are considering something other than the Empi Select?

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squid13
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Re: Looking for TENS Unit Recommendations

Post by squid13 » Sun Aug 17, 2014 4:01 pm

StuUnderPressure wrote:Follow up Questions Please:

Do you & your wife EACH have a Tens Unit?

Does Medicare buy it outright OR does it try to rent it like an APAP?

Since you bought yours from a PT Dept, I assume that Medicare does NOT require that you obtain it from a DME?

How many pads does the Empi Select have?
My wife and I both have a tens. I got mine first and when I needed it she was using it so she got her own. Medicare pays for it outright. No you do not need to go thru a DME. You can use four pads at a time with the machine. I get my pads from EMPI and they have a great selection of pads all sizes and shapes. They come 4 to a pack and you get 2 packs a month, there reusable pads. Medicare pays for 2 packs a month. We only order when we need them.

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kteague
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Re: Looking for TENS Unit Recommendations

Post by kteague » Sun Aug 17, 2014 4:21 pm

My Empi Select was provided for me through the physical therapist several years ago, not chosen, which is just as well because I knew nothing about them anyhow. I am not dissatisfied with it. Not sure of the expected life span. When I googled I saw Empi Select units as much as much as $300-$400 and that is totally out of my league, especially when I was seeing other units under $100 so I was overwhelmed at the current options and comparative features and thought it would be wise to get input. (a cpaptalk consumer reports of sorts?) My inquiry is no reflection on Empi or their products.

I do need to find a doctor in this city who will write a prescription for me so i can get supplies through Medicare. Dread the process of a new doctor wanting me to go through proving my need through current testing. I would have to get it again for my back pain since for PLMD is not a customary use. But to be honest, I haven't asked my GP because I assumed it wouldn't happen since nearly everything I mention they want to send me to a specialist. But I will ask at my next office visit. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

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squid13
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Re: Looking for TENS Unit Recommendations

Post by squid13 » Sun Aug 17, 2014 4:37 pm

kteaque if your on Medicare they will pay for a new Empi select. I don't know if you got your present one through them or not, if you didn't all your Doctor has to do is write a prescription for it go to a PT and get it filled. If you did and it's not functioning properly maybe they'll replace it.

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avi123
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Re: Looking for TENS Unit Recommendations

Post by avi123 » Sun Aug 17, 2014 7:36 pm

To kteague, :

I got an email from:

Orly Avitzur, MD <orlyavitzur@gmail.com>

8:50 PM (37 minutes ago)
to me

Orly Avitzur is an adviser to Consumer Reports.

My question was:

The Sep 2014 Consumer Reports on Health on page 6 writes this about TENS units:

"But some research suggests that they may simply provide a distraction from pain."

Do you have more opinion about the usefulness of TENS?

Thanks.

Her reply:

Some people do well with it.
I don't see a risk in trying it with a physical therapist and if it works, considering a home unit for certain conditions.
Orly

Orly Avitzur, MD, MBA
55 South Broadway
Tarrytown, NY 10591
Tel: 914-631-0400
Fax: 914-631-0402
E-mail: oavitzur@earthlink.net
Web: http://www.dravitzur.com
Twitter: @OrlyA
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/orlyavitzur

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kteague
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Re: Looking for TENS Unit Recommendations

Post by kteague » Mon Aug 18, 2014 5:57 pm

I am happy to announce that I am now the proud owner of a new-to-me BioTENS2 from a kind forum member whose family member had one not in use. Not sure if they care if I mention their name, so for now I'll just express my thanks to you-know-who-you-are.

I thank everyone for your responses in this thread. Learned a few things and appreciate the viewpoints and references. I do intend to pursue getting my replacement electrodes through Medicare.

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Madalot
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Re: Looking for TENS Unit Recommendations

Post by Madalot » Tue Aug 19, 2014 5:02 am

kteague wrote:I am happy to announce that I am now the proud owner of a new-to-me BioTENS2 from a kind forum member whose family member had one not in use. Not sure if they care if I mention their name, so for now I'll just express my thanks to you-know-who-you-are.

I thank everyone for your responses in this thread. Learned a few things and appreciate the viewpoints and references. I do intend to pursue getting my replacement electrodes through Medicare.
That is wonderful! I'm so glad someone on the forum was able to help you out with this. Let us know how you like it!

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kteague
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UPDATE Re: Looking for TENS Unit Recommendations

Post by kteague » Sun Aug 24, 2014 11:51 am

Just a note for anyone who may happen upon this thread and be considering using a TENS for jumpy legs. In recent years I had changed my proven effective pattern of electrode placement - merely for convenience sake. I have mobility issues and the twisting and turning to place 4 small electrodes on my buttocks seemed too much if not necessary. I went to using either one long strip across the buttocks or a butterfly shaped pad. While my sleep still was decent or at least tolerable, it has not been as good as it once was. With this new TENS Unit (thanks again to LSAT) came some packages of the small square electrodes, so I went back to my old setup. My sleep since I got the new machine has been at a renewed level of good. Can't say if it's the machine or the electrodes, but I'm thinking this placement is my sweet spot and in the future I'll stick with what I know works.

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Daso
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Re: UPDATE Looking for TENS Unit Recommendations

Post by Daso » Wed Aug 27, 2014 4:56 pm

Have you tried taking magnesium before sleep. Works wonders for crawly legs.

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Re: UPDATE Looking for TENS Unit Recommendations

Post by Stormynights » Wed Aug 27, 2014 9:04 pm

I have a tens unit and I was really hoping to find out if all brands are the same. My back just gets worse all the time and the pain is going down my legs to my feet. I don't want to waste more money on another machine if they are all the same though.

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kteague
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Re: UPDATE Looking for TENS Unit Recommendations

Post by kteague » Wed Aug 27, 2014 10:33 pm

Daso wrote:Have you tried taking magnesium before sleep. Works wonders for crawly legs.
I agree. Have taken magnesium at bedtime for a few years, but forgot to pick more up when I ran out last month. Thanks for the reminder. I knew I kept forgetting something.

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