UPDATE Tried TENS Unit for My Limb Movements

[DoriC]

K, Don't know much about TENS but doesn't it have some long-lasting effects(maybe almost a cure?) so you don't always have to use it or is it just a temporary improvement as long as you use it constantly? I'm going to do some reading about it later today if I can but I'd love your explanation. Anyhow I'm excited to hear this news!

[SleepingUgly]

Kathy, are you tired during the day or not?

[mars]

Hi Kathy

I am really pleased for you

Here is a link that might be of interest -

http://www.wellness.com/reference/healt ... d-evidence

TENS is the second modality down in each sub-heading.

cheers

Mars

[KatieW]

I still have that image of your video. This is good and hopeful news Kathy. Thanks for the update.

[OutaSync]

Can you set up the camera again, and see what is happening?

[Muse-Inc]

...my knee, hip and back pain are still really bad...

Kathy, I don't know if this might help but I've been getting a lot of relief from ginger tea: 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger, a little sweetener, 14-15 ozs boiling water, wait until it cools some and drink, pour another 14-15 oz of really hot water over the ginger, sweeten if needed, drink. I get shoulder and back relief for maybe 8-12 hrs. Better relief for me now than the diclofenac sodium (NSAID) my doc prescribed for my shoulder. I was pretty skeptical when I decided I had losing but pain to lose. Worked within 30 mins of the first 'cup'...been drinking it (2 cups/day) for 4 days and it's been consistent in its pain relief. Worth a try.

[kteague]

Well, last night wasn't so good. Guess I need to get back to the TENS Unit.

Since we talk a lot about sleep and dreams, someone might get a kick out of this. I generally avoid action movies because I will dream the scenes, but with people I know in them. Well, I got talked into watching Inception last night. All night long I wasn't sure if it was reality, a dream, or a dream within a dream, or if I'd done harm to someone, or if I just dreamed it. Turned out I dreamed that I dreamed that I did but I didn't (If you haven't seen the movie, sorry for this nonsensical prattle.)

Dori, did you read the link Mars gave about using the TENS? (Thanks Mars!) This is new to me, and all I really understand is there are nerve pathways between the brain and the site of pain, and there's a limit to how many signals can pass thru at once, so if the pathways are clogged with sensations from the TENS stimulus, for a while there's no room for the pain signals to transfer. Sorry technical folks for my butchered explanation.

As far as how I feel during the day, I feel like I did when I first got my cpap working for me- I want as much sleep as I can get, like I'm trying to catch up. However, I already see that lessening. I haven't fallen asleep today since before noon. Thanks all for your support. Will update after some more time with the TENS. I'm keeping a log of electrode placement, settings, sleep time, etc.

Muse-Inc, thanks for the ginger tea tip. I will try it.

[Muse-Inc]

PS I forgot to add, eat most of the ginger after you've drunk the tea...by then, it won't have much of a 'bite'.

[SleepingUgly]

I think I may be the only one that thinks ginger tastes like soap. When I eat plain ginger, I can't tell the difference between that and a bar of Ivory. Too bad because I could use something for my pain!

Kathy, I hope the TENS unit works!

[ozij]

I am so happy for you, Kathy.

O.

[Muse-Inc]

...I may be the only one that thinks ginger tastes like soap...

Nope, that how it used to taste to me too...changed about 10-12 yrs ago, dunno why. Ginger also comes in pills, don't know if there is a standardized measurement for the gingerols that I've read are the active agents. Not sure what might be equivalent to 2 TBSP.

Anyone wanna pig out on gingersnaps/gingerbread and report if it worked?

[DreamOn]

Kathy, I'm SO happy to read that you are finding some relief. I hope you get everything figured out so you can finally get restful sleep!

I think I may be the only one that thinks ginger tastes like soap. When I eat plain ginger, I can't tell the difference between that and a bar of Ivory.

You're not the only one, SU! My husband thinks that ginger tastes like soap too. In fact, we were just talking about that last night. I'd never heard anyone say that before. I printed out your post so he can see that he's not alone. I was giving him a hard time about it. It doesn't taste like soap to me at all, although the texture's a little weird.

[sister]

Kathy, I am so happy for you! I too saw the video and I have prayed for you, that GOD would give you some relief.
GOD BLESS YOU!

[kteague]

Sorry for the little hissy fit, but at least this didn't wake up the rest of the household. I have tried every imaginable variation and configuration of using the TENS with no duplicatable success. Was sure tonight would be the night I got some prolonged decent sleep, but alas, after less than 2 miserable hours I've given up. Couldn't crank it high enough to override the PLMD sensations without the TENS being worse than them. What's frustrating is not having a road map for this journey. I feel totally incompetent to be doing this experiment in the first place, and I think I'm gonna stop putting myself through it. I think my next effort will be acupuncture. Never know unless I try.

[Guest]

Yikes! So sorry to hear that. Hang in there.