UPDATE Tried TENS Unit for My Limb Movements

kteague, what happened at the sleep study?

Sorry I've taken so long to get back to this. In a nutshell, my legs were the worst at the sleep study than they've been in 6 months. ARGH! Got up at 4 am and used the TENS again for a few minutes, then slept great till they woke me up. Will have a followup on I think the 19th. Thanks for all the responses, I see I've got some references to catch up on reading. Not sure if I'll be back on here before the appointment or not. Difficult days. Walking with a long time friend on her now rapidly ending journey through this life. Hard to focus on much else. Be back soon.
Kathy

Kathy,

Your friend is blessed to be taking that walk with you. I'll keep you both in my prayers.

Bev

Wow, it feels like I've been away a long time, but it hasn't really been. My friend is still in ICU. Today I had my follow-up, expecting my study results to be horrible, as it was the worst I'd slept in several months. Coulda sworn it took 2 hours to fall asleep. Nope - 5.8 minutes. LOL Anyhow, the CPAP portion was splendid, as I expected, although there was no recorded supine sleep in REM, so it was technically suboptimal in that respect. The room was hot and they brought in a rotating fan, which helped the heat but it seemed I felt it every time the air blew over me. In 267 minutes of sleep there were 110 spontaneous arousals. Wonder how many times the fan rotated?

As to the limb movements, there were 44 for an index 9.9 and 38 were associated with arousals for an index of 8.5. I had so hoped there would be even fewer, but my doctor was quite pleased with the results and noted the significant improvement over prior studies. She was particularly interested to see that I am no longer on any meds and that these improved results are from using the TENS Unit, and we had some discussion over the specifics of my TENS usage. If my report looked this much better even with what seemed to be a horrible night, my nights that seem good at home quite probably really are. So, I guess I will accept that the ultimate proof of the value of TENS in treating PLMD will not be fully realized, at least by me at this time. But I take satisfaction in much improved results, knowing that at home those results are even better. I was again read the riot act about cleaning my equipment. I am doing much better than I once was. The doctor wasn't happy to hear I fall asleep 2-3 x day in the recliner without my machine. She wants me to schedule a daily afternoon nap in bed and see if that makes the rest of my day more productive. I can do that. Now to catch up on my reading.

kteague wrote:Nope - 5.8 minutes.

Isn't it amazing how our minds play tricks on us? Same thing happened to me.

What's with sleep labs where the environment is not condusive to sleep? That is beyond my comprehension! My first sleep lab was a mess.

I am no longer on any meds and that these improved results are from using the TENS Unit, and we had some discussion over the specifics of my TENS usage.

That is just awesome!! You have worked hard to get to this point!!

If my report looked this much better even with what seemed to be a horrible night, my nights that seem good at home quite probably really are.

That must be very reassuring to have that info.

The doctor wasn't happy to hear I fall asleep 2-3 x day in the recliner without my machine. She wants me to schedule a daily afternoon nap in bed and see if that makes the rest of my day more productive.

Sounds like a great idea to nap with pap. Maybe you will be able to nap less. Do you know why you are tired in the day? Do you think that leg movements are giving you fragmented sleep, even if they are less? How was your sleep architecture during the study? Fragmented?

Continued good luck to you kteague, and blessings to you and your friend! She is blessed to have someone supporting her!

Great news! Did they do an MSLT?

Yep, the locals lie on the railway line in the area of Rawa Buaya in Jakarta, Indonesia in the belief that electrical energy from the tracks will cure them of restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, pain, arthritis, gout, diabetes, and other health conditions.

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/sep/09 ... s-20110910

http://travel.aol.co.uk/2011/07/20/trai ... y-jakarta/

Thanks for the great info dog I owe you bgiitgy.

Tens units are used to relieve from pain and also relax the muscles. You can use these instruments before going to sleep. Using it one hour to two hour is recomended but more than it not also bad. The more you use the machine the more you get relax. Thanks

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-575 ... &tag=title
First wireless back pain devices approved in U.S. (TENS)

Kathy, didn't know if you saw this or not. Thought you might be interested.

Jay

Jay Aitchsee wrote:http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-575 ... &tag=title
First wireless back pain devices approved in U.S. (TENS)

Kathy, didn't know if you saw this or not. Thought you might be interested.

Jay

Thank you Jay. I had not seen this. Would have loved to be in the clinical trials so I could try it out before buying. While using the lead wires to the electrodes isn't much of an inconvenience, every bit of "less hassle" can make a difference. Besides, a new "toy" might get me out of the rut of dreading getting rigged up every night - at least for a while. Wondering about comparative costs of the electrodes. This item really interests me. Thanks again!

I followed the link to the supplier, Core Products, to check out pricing on replacement gel pads but was unable to find anything other than the whole package. Has anyone else looked and had better luck?

NightMonkey wrote:...

I sorta feel like doing this now a days except on the other tracks with the train. I think if I could get enough people to join me, I would have the guts to pull it off.

When I first saw that pic my mind went straight to - - - I sure hope there's no switch failure down the line!

Lazer, I hate to hear of anyone feeling that miserable. Been there. Sure hope you see some improvement soon that makes life feel more like living instead of slow death. That pic to me illustrates the desperateness that can come with chronic health issues. We'll try just about anything in hopes of some relief.

kteague wrote:I followed the link to the supplier, Core Products, to check out pricing on replacement gel pads but was unable to find anything other than the whole package. Has anyone else looked and had better luck?

I called their number and asked about replacement pads. I was quoted a price of $17.99 for 5 pair or 10 total replacement pads. Hope this helps!