I'm going in for spinal fusion next week. A friend has offered to let me use his TENS unit for pain. He claims it's the bomb. My experience with TENS so far had nothing to do with reducing pain. Anybody have experience related to back pain?
Back pain/tens unit
- Thread starter cuffs054
- Start date
Help Support :
I am sincerely
sorry about the back pain, but I am laughing my ass off about the "other experiences" with a TENS.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
sorry about the back pain, but I am laughing my ass off about the "other experiences" with a TENS.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
Tens
A tens machine needs to be properly fitted so that it operates at the specific nerve roots to interupt the pain impulse. Then varying levels of electrical intensity are used to cause an interuption of pain, not removing it. I wore one for several years in additon to using other pain modalities to be able to function. I have had 4 fusions and would die if I had to ge back to the pain I lived with. My advice to anyone is surgery and end the prision of pain and limited motion and activity.
A tens machine needs to be properly fitted so that it operates at the specific nerve roots to interupt the pain impulse. Then varying levels of electrical intensity are used to cause an interuption of pain, not removing it. I wore one for several years in additon to using other pain modalities to be able to function. I have had 4 fusions and would die if I had to ge back to the pain I lived with. My advice to anyone is surgery and end the prision of pain and limited motion and activity.
Mixfinder,
Any suggestions for recovery?
Gosh, MTBear whatever do you mean(!)
Any suggestions for recovery?
Gosh, MTBear whatever do you mean(!)
bigbubbacain
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2006
- Messages
- 76
yes, well, "other experiences"? Some clever indivi
I'm uninsured, but I've got a great chiropractor. I found a really cheap TENS online and My chiro gave me a diagram to show proper placement of the electrode pads for specific pain issues. I know "self medication" isn't the best way to go, but it's all I've got. For those who might be looking for an inexpensive TENS unit, Google "LG Medical Supply". I bought mine for less than $190, and my model just got cheaper. I can personally attest to the strength of my machine. It still makes me jump! LG also has a placement chart that you can download. It's truly liberating to have your own TENS and to know how to use it properly.
I'm uninsured, but I've got a great chiropractor. I found a really cheap TENS online and My chiro gave me a diagram to show proper placement of the electrode pads for specific pain issues. I know "self medication" isn't the best way to go, but it's all I've got. For those who might be looking for an inexpensive TENS unit, Google "LG Medical Supply". I bought mine for less than $190, and my model just got cheaper. I can personally attest to the strength of my machine. It still makes me jump! LG also has a placement chart that you can download. It's truly liberating to have your own TENS and to know how to use it properly.
Recovery
Muscles and tissue heal the most quickly. Bone next and there may be some early pain in the first 8 hours if they cut into the bone. Fortunately we live in an age when no one feels pain if they have a good care provider. Don't try to be a hero, pain can actually slow recovery. Nerves are the slower part. If you have impinged nerves they tend to take as long to fully restore as they did to deteriorate. Six months of reduced nerve function, six months until they fully function. That said, any nerve pain caused by pinching or impingement is gone upon surgery or relief of the pressure.
It is critical not to be goofey about lifting or putting too much pressure on the spine, but I really got better when I returned to more normal activity, so I am never one to wait around. After the first neck surgery, I awoke pain free, never took another med and had a really hard time waiting for weeks to be released. I had double carpal tunnel and didn't know it because the pinched nerves had caused me to lose use and feeling of my arms and hands. You'll do just fine and if anything focus on hydro therapthy, water exercises and myofacial release massage for muscle spasm. They give the most bang for your buck.
I had neck surgery on August 16th, 3007 fusing three vertabrae, made 50 pies and hosted a 60th anniversary open house on September 3rd for my folks and left the next morning to drive to Kansas. A year later they added one more for a total of four and it was like day surgery.
Muscles and tissue heal the most quickly. Bone next and there may be some early pain in the first 8 hours if they cut into the bone. Fortunately we live in an age when no one feels pain if they have a good care provider. Don't try to be a hero, pain can actually slow recovery. Nerves are the slower part. If you have impinged nerves they tend to take as long to fully restore as they did to deteriorate. Six months of reduced nerve function, six months until they fully function. That said, any nerve pain caused by pinching or impingement is gone upon surgery or relief of the pressure.
It is critical not to be goofey about lifting or putting too much pressure on the spine, but I really got better when I returned to more normal activity, so I am never one to wait around. After the first neck surgery, I awoke pain free, never took another med and had a really hard time waiting for weeks to be released. I had double carpal tunnel and didn't know it because the pinched nerves had caused me to lose use and feeling of my arms and hands. You'll do just fine and if anything focus on hydro therapthy, water exercises and myofacial release massage for muscle spasm. They give the most bang for your buck.
I had neck surgery on August 16th, 3007 fusing three vertabrae, made 50 pies and hosted a 60th anniversary open house on September 3rd for my folks and left the next morning to drive to Kansas. A year later they added one more for a total of four and it was like day surgery.
I'm going in for spinal fusion next week.
Here's a question:
What's the reason for spinal fusion? Is is due to degenerative bone/cartilage or is it due to instability? The tens unit will work if you have a muscle issue, but it won't substitute for permanently damaged or worn out body parts.
Here's a question:
What's the reason for spinal fusion? Is is due to degenerative bone/cartilage or is it due to instability? The tens unit will work if you have a muscle issue, but it won't substitute for permanently damaged or worn out body parts.
travlincub321
Well-known member
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- Sep 25, 2009
- Messages
- 534
Wow
Im glad this topic has been touched on.. I may have to have it done at some time...
And Kelly,
If you had it done August 17, 3007, wouldnt it have been alot less invasive???
Hugs.. Saw some humor in it
Im glad this topic has been touched on.. I may have to have it done at some time...
And Kelly,
If you had it done August 17, 3007, wouldnt it have been alot less invasive???
Hugs.. Saw some humor in it
sent me forward 100 years. Yesterday the spine
A Futurist huh, does that mean your back was to the futurist? I couldn't reist lol.
A Futurist huh, does that mean your back was to the futurist? I couldn't reist lol.
perc-o-prince
Well-known member
I've owned a TENS for, probably, 15 years now. I originally got it for my knee, but have used it on my arm, elbow, shoulder.... any place there's been consistant pain with no major underlying cause.
I crank it on my knee when I'm having a lot of swelling/pain, and it has an almost numbing effect. This all has to do with the electrical stimuli of the nerves and musculature, though the same stimulous also promotes blood flow to reduce swelling (though my knee swelling doesn't seem to react to it any more). Having had 3 arthroscopic surgeries and the PT afterward to rehab, I've had a lot of experience with pad placement and have been able to relate it to other joints/muscles. It's not something to play with (some may argue with that - wink)as it's a piece of medical equipment, and you can actually do more damage with it. In the beginning, always use the lowest setting, turning it up until there's a noticible, but not uncomfortable tingling. Use it like that for a bit before deciding that it needs to be turned up.
Be careful, but best of luck with the surgery!!!
Chuck
I crank it on my knee when I'm having a lot of swelling/pain, and it has an almost numbing effect. This all has to do with the electrical stimuli of the nerves and musculature, though the same stimulous also promotes blood flow to reduce swelling (though my knee swelling doesn't seem to react to it any more). Having had 3 arthroscopic surgeries and the PT afterward to rehab, I've had a lot of experience with pad placement and have been able to relate it to other joints/muscles. It's not something to play with (some may argue with that - wink)as it's a piece of medical equipment, and you can actually do more damage with it. In the beginning, always use the lowest setting, turning it up until there's a noticible, but not uncomfortable tingling. Use it like that for a bit before deciding that it needs to be turned up.
Be careful, but best of luck with the surgery!!!
Chuck
toggleswitch2
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 23, 2008
- Messages
- 5,000
~any place there's been consistant pain with no major underlying cause.
There is ALWAYS underlying cause. It just may not be apparent, known or understood!
There is ALWAYS underlying cause. It just may not be apparent, known or understood!
perc-o-prince
Well-known member
That's why I said MAJOR, Steve. Of course everything has an underlying cause. But I think you'd agree that for the most part, there would be no major underlying cause if you were to give your ankle a little twist. You twisted it. It's known, apparent, and understood to be a minor thing.
Now if you were treating pain where you had no idea of the origins, major or minor, that wouldn't be a prudent thing to do. Pain is a symptom, and not a disease. There has to be a reason for it.
Chuck
Now if you were treating pain where you had no idea of the origins, major or minor, that wouldn't be a prudent thing to do. Pain is a symptom, and not a disease. There has to be a reason for it.
Chuck
Some funny stuff about TENS
The inventor of this therapy of interrupting the pain signal through the nerves by alternate electrical stimulation was approached by a major pharmaceutical company known for their over the counter pain reliever. They said that they could put this on the market, relieve suffering and make him a lot of money so he sold the whole endeavor to them. They promptly hid it away, fearing it would cut into the sales of their pain relievers. We can only hope that they are roasting in a place where time has no meaning. It was only after years of fighting and finally and improbably winning a lawsuit, that the inventor's family forced the company to either test-market the device or sell it. An elderly friend tried it decades ago and did not think it helped much.
If anyone wondered about the veiled joking that was elicited by the mention of this device, it was because of the sexual application of these and other similar, but more advanced, devices. It's one more way of living better electrically.
The inventor of this therapy of interrupting the pain signal through the nerves by alternate electrical stimulation was approached by a major pharmaceutical company known for their over the counter pain reliever. They said that they could put this on the market, relieve suffering and make him a lot of money so he sold the whole endeavor to them. They promptly hid it away, fearing it would cut into the sales of their pain relievers. We can only hope that they are roasting in a place where time has no meaning. It was only after years of fighting and finally and improbably winning a lawsuit, that the inventor's family forced the company to either test-market the device or sell it. An elderly friend tried it decades ago and did not think it helped much.
If anyone wondered about the veiled joking that was elicited by the mention of this device, it was because of the sexual application of these and other similar, but more advanced, devices. It's one more way of living better electrically.
spiceman1957
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2006
- Messages
- 724
Cuffs054,
I'm so sorry about your back pain and you upcoming surgery. You didn't mentioned the location (L4-L5), or if they are going to do an anterior (front) or posterior (back) with instruments (plate and screws). I can identify with what you are doing through. I have had chronic back pain since 1997 and have been through the mill with chiropractors, TEENS unit, both types of fusion where they harvested a bone from my hip(without success and then posterior where I had a plate and screws for which I had to have removed six months later. I finally resorted to going to a pain management physician where I have had three spinal injection and 2 spinal ablation where nerves are burned in addition to be on narcotics. In fact, I had the second ablation done yesterday with fairly good results so far. The deal with this treatment is that you don't know how long it will last. The next option (and probably the last resort) is an interior pain stimulator that works similar to a pacemaker. Jerry Lewis has had this done. I wish you all the best. Just do you homework and and get your hands on every bit of reliable material you can. As far as the exterior TEENS unit, it didn't work for me. In fact, I was consistently getting shocked because of my sweaty back. Please let us know how you are progressing.
John
I'm so sorry about your back pain and you upcoming surgery. You didn't mentioned the location (L4-L5), or if they are going to do an anterior (front) or posterior (back) with instruments (plate and screws). I can identify with what you are doing through. I have had chronic back pain since 1997 and have been through the mill with chiropractors, TEENS unit, both types of fusion where they harvested a bone from my hip(without success and then posterior where I had a plate and screws for which I had to have removed six months later. I finally resorted to going to a pain management physician where I have had three spinal injection and 2 spinal ablation where nerves are burned in addition to be on narcotics. In fact, I had the second ablation done yesterday with fairly good results so far. The deal with this treatment is that you don't know how long it will last. The next option (and probably the last resort) is an interior pain stimulator that works similar to a pacemaker. Jerry Lewis has had this done. I wish you all the best. Just do you homework and and get your hands on every bit of reliable material you can. As far as the exterior TEENS unit, it didn't work for me. In fact, I was consistently getting shocked because of my sweaty back. Please let us know how you are progressing.
John
whirlcool
Well-known member
I have three pinched nerves (L3, L4, L5) from the car wreck I had in 94. I have a good orthopedic doctor. The symptoms are if I am on my feet for more than 20 minutes, my back really starts to hurt. We are getting by on the occasional use of Vicodin, but that's not really helping that much anymore.
I asked my doctor about surgery, and he said that I'll run a 50/50 chance of making it better, or making it worse. All back surgeries run risks, he says. I asked him what he would do if he was in my shoes, he said he'd work the stronger meds first.
A friend of ours had a fusion about two years ago. She was fine at first but then the disk above and below went south on her a few months after the surgery. So she isn't really any better off now than she was at the time of the surgery.
How common is this?
I asked my doctor about surgery, and he said that I'll run a 50/50 chance of making it better, or making it worse. All back surgeries run risks, he says. I asked him what he would do if he was in my shoes, he said he'd work the stronger meds first.
A friend of ours had a fusion about two years ago. She was fine at first but then the disk above and below went south on her a few months after the surgery. So she isn't really any better off now than she was at the time of the surgery.
How common is this?
I have a Tens unit but it did'nt help me. I have Pars-defect,disc degen,and spina-bifida occulta,and many more things but cant remember. My Ortho doc wants to do a post-lumbar fusion.I have alot of Doctors and all my other ones have told me to wait till I am older before doing it that it can be controlled the pain that is well not gone but bearable. The main reason is because of my Epilepsy if I have a sezure,because there so violent I could be a Para for the rest of my life..She is a Anesthesiologist and she scared the hell out of me cause she said back surgery is a Crap shoot and your pain could be worse,she said is was a 50/50 chance that it would help me or make it worse.She said half her patients are from she said Ortho-Doc's that tend to think they can fix anything bone related.She see's it all the time in the O.R. and she and my P.C.P. Doc both want me to wait.She said in Ten years Technology will be better and imaging will also.I don't know who to believe I do have great insurance and have noticed Doc's using me for new things more than once.I trust my P.C.P. Doc she is a friend and she told me that I would be in bed and she would have me back on Phenobarbital and other drugs that I would be like Michael Jackson a Zombie,The Sezure meds suck and Phenobarbital is the worse I am here but not when I was on it,I hate that stuff I don't see how folks get hooked on it and did you know its made from the Nightshade family-Belladonna.I don't use my Prosthetic much at all and I do fall down alot and thats the whole problem if that bony cage thing and the other things shift or what not that would be bad.I am so sorry your going through this I have hurt so bad I wanted to die from my back.Put it this way back pain can hurt worse than getting shot.Make sure you have talked to your Doc about pain control afterwards unless you have a pain doc.Some docs like to do the surgery then write you 15 lortabs and then they will push you to Advil or call in Ultram which is a joke they like to do the surgery the get a ton of money but some docs won't write Rx for pain.Please becareful while you heal......God my grammer sucks...........WES
Jesus!
I can't believe the fright stories going up here when the poor guy has said he has surgery scheduled. You think it somehow helps his confidence? If you want to be informed go to nationalchronicpainfoundation.org and learn the truth of pain management and many of it's modalities. When you have a bone disease, have been injured, are losing the use of limbs, mobility, sleep, the ability to work or to thrive, it is time to explore surgery. Newer procedures are less invasive, have quicker recovery times and pain management has moved light years ahead. Rickety bone can be strengthened with cadaver bone meal and super glue, discs can be replaced with silicone clips that protect the spinal cord, provide spacing to prevent nerve impingement and allow forward movement while cushioning the surrounding tissues. If the disc is diseased above and below they may need surgery at a later date. If you replace a section of leaky pipe its not uncommon to revisit the same line for future repair. It is to be expected. Personally, I have a life to live and choose surgery for a more permanent solution than a life of therapy, guarded movement, drugs, pain modalities and slowly losing my ability to walk, grasp or enjoy life. Some of us have had success with surgery and if it goes haywire I fully expect technology and medical advancement to have an answer. No life half lived for me.
I can't believe the fright stories going up here when the poor guy has said he has surgery scheduled. You think it somehow helps his confidence? If you want to be informed go to nationalchronicpainfoundation.org and learn the truth of pain management and many of it's modalities. When you have a bone disease, have been injured, are losing the use of limbs, mobility, sleep, the ability to work or to thrive, it is time to explore surgery. Newer procedures are less invasive, have quicker recovery times and pain management has moved light years ahead. Rickety bone can be strengthened with cadaver bone meal and super glue, discs can be replaced with silicone clips that protect the spinal cord, provide spacing to prevent nerve impingement and allow forward movement while cushioning the surrounding tissues. If the disc is diseased above and below they may need surgery at a later date. If you replace a section of leaky pipe its not uncommon to revisit the same line for future repair. It is to be expected. Personally, I have a life to live and choose surgery for a more permanent solution than a life of therapy, guarded movement, drugs, pain modalities and slowly losing my ability to walk, grasp or enjoy life. Some of us have had success with surgery and if it goes haywire I fully expect technology and medical advancement to have an answer. No life half lived for me.
perc-o-prince
Well-known member
"When you have a bone disease, have been injured, are losing the use of limbs, mobility, sleep, the ability to work or to thrive, it is time to explore surgery."
Explore is the key word. Sounds like "cuffs" has done that, and that it's a good thing. With all the strides that have been made in fusions, he should be walking in with confidence, and walking out a new man!
Unfortunately, sometimes explore is all you can do though. In my case, my knee is at the point where my ortho will sign off on a replacement (re-surfacing, if you will) as soon as I say the word. Trouble is, I'll need another down the road, then probably at least a 3rd if not a 4th. The new knees last about 20 years, but that's not the case in a 40-something guy. My ortho says to expect up to 10, maybe a little more, but there could always be exceptions. The second one isn't too bad, though there's less to anchor the new goodies to, and there's only a small chance of residual pain. It's if/when we get to a third. There's even less to anchor to now, and residual pain is almost guaranteed. Let's not even talk about a 4th.
There's talk about a new knee that Boston General has developed. Supposedly it doesn't need to be replaced nearly as often, if at all, as there's little to no wear.... so far. I need to find out how long these knees have been out (they're being used all over the world supposedly) and what the overall experience has been with people who have had them in for 10 years or more, if there even are any!
So, anyway, best of luck to you, cuffs, and use the TENS carefully! Most certainly let us know how you make out!!!!!!!!
Chuck
Explore is the key word. Sounds like "cuffs" has done that, and that it's a good thing. With all the strides that have been made in fusions, he should be walking in with confidence, and walking out a new man!
Unfortunately, sometimes explore is all you can do though. In my case, my knee is at the point where my ortho will sign off on a replacement (re-surfacing, if you will) as soon as I say the word. Trouble is, I'll need another down the road, then probably at least a 3rd if not a 4th. The new knees last about 20 years, but that's not the case in a 40-something guy. My ortho says to expect up to 10, maybe a little more, but there could always be exceptions. The second one isn't too bad, though there's less to anchor the new goodies to, and there's only a small chance of residual pain. It's if/when we get to a third. There's even less to anchor to now, and residual pain is almost guaranteed. Let's not even talk about a 4th.
There's talk about a new knee that Boston General has developed. Supposedly it doesn't need to be replaced nearly as often, if at all, as there's little to no wear.... so far. I need to find out how long these knees have been out (they're being used all over the world supposedly) and what the overall experience has been with people who have had them in for 10 years or more, if there even are any!
So, anyway, best of luck to you, cuffs, and use the TENS carefully! Most certainly let us know how you make out!!!!!!!!
Chuck
