All about TENS Machines

[MandyJ72]

Thanks Stone - the pads are on her knees so it's not as easy to take off and put back on - could be done or could be put in hand luggage and then put on after she's gone through but they will want to see it working anyways or something Im sure!

Will keep in mind about the GP letter - never thought about that! or can get one from the Pain Team or something - never come across this before! Hopefully she'll be much improved by then but "just in case" at least I can be organised about it as getting letters and stuff takes a little while!

Thanks again.

M
xx

[lil_miffy]

This is going to sound really really silly - but if you are going on holiday and are flying and obviously need to go through security / scans etc - is that OK if you are wearing a TENS machine? or will it cause a problem?

Going to London in May with Amy and if she's still wired up wondered if it would cause a problem.

M
xx

I had my tens machine when i flew last year. I mentioned i needed to wear it when i booked the disabled assistance over the phone for the flight and they said it wasss fine as long as i took it off while going through security. I also mentioned it again when i got to the airport to the disability assistance staff who were helping me. Take the box and instructions it comes with and phone up in advance to check with the flight provider that it is ok. I would recommend booking assistance anyway as it means you jump the queues and you get someone to carry your bags and push you around the airport. You also get taken to the waiting lounge before anyone else is allowed in and you get on the plane first and off last so you don't get hit or crushed by people.

[MandyJ72]

Thanks Miffy - I've booked the wheelchair assistance for Edinburgh & Heathrow as I don't know what she will be like and also I don't know how far a walk we will have at Heathrow (only flown into Gatwick before) so will let them know in advance as well that she may have it with her!

Trying to keep organised about it all as got the new shop opening in 2 weeks + a rake of other things going on and don't want to ruin her big birthday weekend by something silly!!

M
xx

[jojackson]

Apologies to the Mods if this sort of post isn't allowed.

I somehow seem to have two TENS machines. Amazing what one can find when preparing to move house! Wearing two machines seems daft even for me, so if anyone would like one (that probably needs new batteries and sticky pads), send me a PM with your address and I'll stick it in the post!

Jo

[pink]

Anyone know wheres cheapest to buy the replacement sticky pads? Mine is a boots own brand one (got it reduced ages ago from £50 to £25 - Bargain!)

[Fiona-Jane]

hiya,

i've always bought mine from either amazon or ebay- you can usually get a set of 4 pads for about £4. ebay's usually a bit cheaper- i've just had a peek online and ebay are selling them for between £2 and £3 for a set of 4 (including post and packing).

much cheaper than buying them in a pharmacy!

fi xx

[Blaadyblah]

asda do them at around the same price if your local store has a pharmacy.

[pink]

Can you use any pads even though my machine is a boots own brand one? Sorry if I sound thick! Lol

[serenity79]

My physio has given me a loan of a TENS machine for two weeks so I can decide whether it's useful to me or not before I use my own money to buy one. I've got it on for the first time on both knees now, on an acupuncture setting. It's quite an odd sensation, but so far I'm rather liking it.

[pretzel]

I currently have loan of a TENS from physio and I'm not sure of what I think so far. While I'm wearing it the pain does seem to subside but not afterwards, this is the opposite to the effect of Accupuncture where I would be terrible immediately afterwards but better for the next 3 days. Does anybody know if TENS can cause headaches or increase the severity of them or even if they could contribute to feelings if dehydration which I find causes me headaches?

[JoSo]

for anyone looking to buy one I just got mine from Lloyds pharmacy for £7.99!!!! its got two pads and about 5 settings...so far its going well I used it today on my shoulders as I was using crutches for my legs and I feel pretty good! ...out of Intrest it says Cancer survivors can't use it without first consulting an oncologist? any one know why?
x x

[kayle_d]

Hi,

I got recommended these pads, apparently they are meant to stay sticker for longer.


My parents brought me a TENS machine and after playing around with it to find what worked best I thought it was amazing.... until I started getting widespread pain again and then I got confused about where to use it... I think I would be there all day if I had to do every joint as I found it worked best with 4 pads on one joint so I could only do one at a time...

Is there certain places you can put the pads to help with widespread pain.. like your hands??

Kayleigh


*Post edited: Link removed, would strongly recommend not to use the site after having problems with the company (http://www.tensmachines.co.uk)

[lil_miffy]

I currently have loan of a TENS from physio and I'm not sure of what I think so far. While I'm wearing it the pain does seem to subside but not afterwards, this is the opposite to the effect of Accupuncture where I would be terrible immediately afterwards but better for the next 3 days. Does anybody know if TENS can cause headaches or increase the severity of them or even if they could contribute to feelings if dehydration which I find causes me headaches?

Im the same. I dont get any 'carry-over'. Carry-over is when the TENS effect continues to work on the nerves stopping the pain after you turn off the machine. for most people you should get up to 6hrs carry over from 30mins of tens. So I have to keep my tens on for up to a few hours at a time (it drains my energy too much if i leave it on for more than 4hours and cost a fortune in batteries). I thought this was an issue and so was relucatant to buy my own tens machine (the proper phsyio ones not the cheaper ones from shops) but my pain physio at the time said 'well if you 2hours of pain relief while wearing it thats 2hours of pain relief you didnt get before. So i decided to change my mindset and realised that it doesnt matter if it only helps when its on, its till works better than any meds or anything else.

I bought a little bag from the pound shop that goes over your shoulder across your chest and is just big enough for my tens machine to fit in. Its a travel bag designed to keep you purse and passport in on holiday close to you for safety and works brilliant as a bag for my tens. I just stick my tens on (usually on my lower back with 4 pads) and wear the bag with the tens in. It doenst get in the way and i can do household chores no problems without getting tangled up. It fits in extra pads and an extra battery too so i usually put the bag inside my handbag is i go out. At church i just leave the bag on the floor so i can reach it easily during the service if i need to change the settings.

I would definaly recommend sticking with TENS if it works. Yes its great to get carry-ver but if you dont you are still gettin pain relief while you wear it. you soon get used to setting it up quickly and wearing it during the day if you need it on a long time.

My only wish now is that i could just plug the wires straight into my spine so i didnt have to faff on with the pads becuase they tend to come off when i have it on for a few hours becuase of body heat.

[Triality]

I've had one for a trial for the last month or so. Not much help on the generalised hypermobility problems, but it does help with the searing pain I get at certain times of the month thanks to the nerve damage in my lower back. TENS and morphine, I can actually get out of bed, which is a huge improvement.

[Chloe♥]

I bought a TENS machine today (Heated TENS half price from Lloyds: here and I'm already in love with it.

I haven't yet worked out how to place the pads for my hips, but I'm sure I will (will read all the way through this thread as I know hip placement has been mentioned before) and I'm amazed by the effect it has on my wrists. -ve electrode on my hand, +ve about three inches up my forearm, and the pain is gone in about ten minutes! As soon as the cycle stopped, the pain came back, but I understand that you get more carry over the more you do it? Even if you don't it's worth it to wear whilst typing!

The actual machine is a bit on the large side, I think would fit into a pocket on a hoodie but isn't really practical for movement... I'd love to try it on my knees whilst walking though. I'm sure I'll have the chance

Teehee. Best £25 I ever spent.