UPDATE Tried TENS Unit for My Limb Movements

[kteague]

I've had a TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator) Unit since before I went thru back injections, but it's been in a drawer because insurance wouldn't cover supplies unless I used it constantly and had it verified by the provider (much like CPAP). It was my intent to use it before going places to see if it would enable me to get out more. Anyhow, last night I was desperate to get some sleep, so I pulled the TENS Unit out to see if it would give me ANY degree of relief from the limb movements. From what I'd read online in the past, the chances of it helping didn't sound promising so I hadn't pursued it. (Kicking myself in more ways than one) I used it last night for an hour then went to bed at 2am, expecting to be miserable and back out of bed within 1-2 hours as usual. Woke up a few times and thought it was over, but kept falling back asleep - till 8am!!!! Can't say it was all good and restful, but it was not the usual torment. Will continue to use it and report back if there is any consistency to its effect.
Kathy

[Slinky]

Glad to hear the good news for one night anyway, kteague. At least it looks hopeful that the relief might be a consistent thing. We sure hope so for your sake! Good luck and God bless!

[Komodo]

........... but it's been in a drawer because insurance wouldn't cover supplies unless I used it constantly..........

I have a TENS myself. With my last insurance, I had a copay for supplies. With a little research, I found that most online suppliers sold the supplies for much LESS than my copay. It's been quite a while since I had to buy supplies, so I don't know what the current prices/policies are, but it's worth you looking into. A TENS unit can be a life saver at times. I know, I've had one for almost 20 years!

[-SWS]

Hello, Kathy. Several months ago I bought a combination TENS/EMS unit on Amazon.com for my trigeminal neuralgia condition. So far it seems to help. My wife ended up using the TENS/EMS unit for her variety of somewhat ordinary muscle and joint type pains. She loves the relief that TENS/EMS unit provides as well. We pay for TENS/EMS supplies out-of-pocket, so we purchased a bulk supply of TENS/EMS pads on Amazon at a reasonable cost. The pads, of course, can each be reused several times before discarding---typically 4 or 5 uses for us.

I'm glad you slept well last night... Please let us all know if your TENS unit continues to provide you with a means to sleep despite PLMD. Good luck with your most interesting and encouraging experiment!

This is what we purchased:
http://www.amazon.com/LGMedSupply-LG-8T ... 789&sr=8-7
-and-
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss? ... ds&x=0&y=0
(we bought the cheapest 40-pack of 2x2 pads---at that time---having good consumer reviews)

[So Well]

What about RLS?

I do a 20-minute soaking of my feet in hot water every night (thanks to a suggestion by Kathy) and get excellent relief of RLS. I am a big guy with big feet and it takes a big container of hot water - very inconvenient and heats me up during the summer. A TENS unit sounds more convenient. Would it be as good as the foot soaks?

[OutaSync]

Kathy,

Can you leave the unit on all night? I once went to bed with it on, thinking I would never get to sleep with that much pain, but the next thing I knew it was morning.

You might be on to something, I'm very excited for you.

Bev

[KatieW]

This is good news! I hope you can find relief, and more restful sleep.

[JeffH]

Great news! Hope it keeps on working for you.


JeffH

[kteague]

SWS - When I was reading last night I saw a list of conditions that would preclude using the TENS Unit, and Trigeminal Neuralgia was on that list. Do you place the pads around the place of your pain or how do you use it? My mother suffered with TN. Neurotin helped take the edge off but she still was in acute pain frequently. Anything that could bring relief to TN would be life changing for a population that truly suffers. Sure hope it proves to be beneficial for you, and I'm real interested in how this pans out.

I did read that the TENS Unit is being used for RLS, but couldn't find much about PLMD. Seems studies are lacking that prove effect for either, and that most evidence is anecdotal. But hey, isn't it usually anecdotal evidence that leads to research? I have resigned myself to just ordering the pads online and not bothering with the insurance - less hassle and a worthy use of my limited funds. The pads I did get when I got this EMPI brand machine hurt like the dickens when I pulled them off. Is that inevitable for ones that stick well? Glad I don't have a hairy lower back! Last night I used the pads on my lower back in the same placement recommended for my back pain, but I'm going to read some more and see if that's my best option. I did read that some with RLS put them on their legs. Anybody got more input on placement?

My instructions said to not fall asleep with it on, but I think it said because they might unknowingly come loose. So, is the issue lack of treatment or some danger in them being loose? I wish I could go to bed with it going all night - I bet I'd sleep well. I just wonder how long the batteries will hold up. Any recommendations on a battery charger? Of course the literature with my machine warns against using other batteries or chargers not specifically for this item. Any input on that?

As with any medical device, there is opportunity for misuse and potential harm if not used correctly. Come to think of it, my mother couldn't have used it anyway due to her pacemaker. Oh well. I look forward to hearing more of everyone's experience with this.

[-SWS]

SWS - When I was reading last night I saw a list of conditions that would preclude using the TENS Unit, and Trigeminal Neuralgia was on that list. Do you place the pads around the place of your pain or how do you use it?

Kathy, I have read conflicting literature about whether TENS/EMS is suitable or unsuitable for TN. My unit's settings can be amplitude, frequency, and pulse-width customized for TN. You can see electrode placement and customized waveform settings on page 10 of this document:

http://site.lgmedsupply.com/Pdf/Electro ... tChart.pdf
(the above electrode placement document covers a variety of conditions and their recommended TENS/EMS settings)

Here are some FAQs from the manufacturer of my TENS/EMS unit:
http://www.lgmedsupply.com/dealerprogram.html

And a few more documents/manuals from that same manufacturer:
http://www.lgmedsupply.com/manuals.html

[kteague]

SWS - Those placement diagrams are great. So many potential uses for this treatment. I may experiement and try placing them on my legs and comparing the results. Thanks for the info.

[Janknitz]

KTeague, it makes sense that this might work, because it is known as "interferential therapy"--it interferes with nerve pathways ordinarily that carry the pain signals, but in your case perhaps with the involuntary movement signals.

If your insurance will cover it (your doctor may have to get creative in justifying it), perhaps you can get a consult with a physical therapist or pain clinic that uses this modality and can talk to you about the safety and contraindications and help you figure out optimal placement.

Maybe, cough, cough, your back pain has started acting up and you need to see someone

[kteague]

I already have an EMG scheduled late next week as part of my ortho doc's response to me asking if my bad back could be the source of my limb movements. He is the one who prescribed the TENS unit, and I'll be meeting with him to go over the EMG results, so it will be the perfect time to ask how to target the treatment for my limb movements.

In another thread some asked if restraint of some sort might help my legs not move so much. While I could not tolerate my legs being restrained, I did read a case study of a woman who couldn't take the meds and wore a girdle to bed (for her back?) and her legs did not act up during the night. The report discussed how position affects the nerve roots and how the girdle may have relieved the pressure. I have a back brace type girdle that I'm going to dig out of the closet, but I think I'll do one thing at a time so I can be clear which is having an effect.

[SleepingUgly]

I'm so hopeful for you, Kathy! Keep us posted.

[rested gal]

I'll add my crossed fingers that this works for you Kathy! And for you, too, -SWS.

Both of you deserve some relief from your respectively different pain issues... PLMD for Kathy, TN for -SWS. I never cease to marvel at how you each continue to set your pain aside and willingly help so many other people with their problems.

You are treasures -- both of you.