Tessa the Duchess Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 I have rheumatoid arthritis and this cold wet weather is playing havoc with my joints. A friend recommended I try a TENS machine. Anybody used one for pain and have any comments to make on them? They are expensive to buy if they don't really work. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 I thought that you can hire them also, so you could give one ago before spending out. I have only good reports with women using them in labour. I am sure somebody will be along soon with better advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 Not quite the same pain but I used one in two of my labours and they were FAB! Mind you that was contractions so I used to crank it up during the contraction, not sure what it would be like with constant pain. A friend of mine swears by hers for her back pain. Why not try renting one? Boots used to rent them out - that's how I got one the first time. Mrs Bertie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 I did my back in a while ago and used one.(A cheap one which was on offer at the time from Lloyds Chemist.) It takes the edge off the pain by causing a distraction but doesn't get rid of it altogether. Mind you I was in agony for about a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxanne Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 My daughter used one for a few years during her teens as she had a chronic back problem and it saved her taking drugs all the time. You have to get used to it and find the 'level' at which it blocks your pain, although you can raise the level if your body gets used to it. She used to wear it for school! We originally bought ours from a company called Neen, although I think they are widely available now through large Boots stores. Neen are on the internet. I originally helped with the trials in labour 30 years ago and it was pretty good then, although it is now possibly more efficient the technology is the same. Have you tried acupuncture? I have sciatica and osteo-arthritis and it helps me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted December 9, 2007 Author Share Posted December 9, 2007 ROXANNE wrote: Have you tried acupuncture? I have sciatica and osteo-arthritis and it helps me! Poor you, arthritis is a isn't it, the joys of getting older I haven't tried acupuncture, but am considering it amongst other things. I am going to see a Rheumatologist tomorrow and I just know it will be more Ibupropen which I do not like taking all the time because it can wreck your stomach Thanks to everyone for info. on TENS it sounds quite encouraging and if Boots hire them, I will certainly give it a go. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxanne Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 I'm happy to do anything that saves me taking pills! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 My dad had shingles in one of his temples & got a tens machine to help with the pain. His tens has been lent out to loads of ladies we know for labour i used it when I was having Ethan, & spent lots of my labour walking around the local streets! I would sometimes turn the intensity down to see just how much use it was........ I soon cranked it up again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 I used one with my 2nd labour and it really helped, especially with the lower back/loin pain. At one point I ripped it off my back, uttering a few choice words about it not working - a few minutes later I delivered , so it actually helped me right to the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlover Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 i used a tens machine when i was in labour, it didnt work, and made my pain worse, the midwife told me that they dont work for everyone, so bear this in mind before buying one, maybe hiring one first would definatly be the sensible option Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 I didn't like the sensation when I tried one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 I have one - the OH bought it for me - pain with lower back and girly issues and i find it to be ok. Its called OVA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 I didn't like the sensation when I tried one Neither did i when I tried it on to make sure i knew how to use it before i went into labour, I didn't want any mad panics with not knowing how to use it. When I actually had pain & used it the sensations were not at all unpleasant & it did help me loads with my labour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Man Banned Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 A friend of mine has asked me to get her two to give as Christmas presents - to two bad back sufferers. They're on offer at the moment £14.99 at LLoyds Pharmacy (plus I got lots of discount - Hey, Joe's got to have some perks and they extend discount to partners ) As it's fairly cheap it may be worth a try as you can't lose too much if you don't get on with it. Or see how much you can hire one for. It's true that they aren't for everyone so best to check out before spending a fortune A xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basset Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 I used a Tens during labour, and wasn't really sure if it helped or not. I think twiddling the k"Ooops, word censored!"s helped take my focus off the contractions, which was the most helpful thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 They seem to be very effective when used correctly, downright irritating if not. May be worthwhile making a one off appointment with a physiotherapist who can assess the source of your pain and advice you on the best way to use it to gain maximum effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 We have one for my mums physio and it was an expensive one It has to be used correctly as the positioning of the pads is crucial for it to work It does help alot with desensitising the enrves when the physio works on her arm but make sure someone shows you where the best place for the pads are or it will be a waste of time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted December 10, 2007 Author Share Posted December 10, 2007 Louise wrote: It has to be used correctly as the positioning of the pads is crucial for it to work It does help alot with desensitising the enrves when the physio works on her arm but make sure someone shows you where the best place for the pads are or it will be a waste of time I went into Boots today, they charge £25 deposit and £30 for a month's hire, which I though quite expensive considering you can buy them new for less than £30. Has anybody hired one from Boots? Do you get a talk on how to use it and position the pads? Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geb0205 Posted December 11, 2007 Share Posted December 11, 2007 Lloyds Pharmacy do one for £15 which is quite useful. It has basic information on where to place the pads for maximum benefit, aswell as different functions to help with blocking pain. TENS machines work on what is called the "pain gate" theory, by giving the nerves and muscles a different stimulation, to essentially "shut the gate" on the original pain and giving you something different to think about, I suppose it could be likened to rubbing your elbow hard after you have banged it to stop it hurting, the different sensation dulls the pain. It is not a "cure" for RA, sadly, there aren't any. There IS alot that complementart therapists can do to help with stiffness and pain that goes along with the disease. Try an acupuncturist, but the results are varied. I would reccomend you go and see an osteopath, not to have manipulation, but to help your body be in the best balance it can be, and to help prevent stiffness in the muscles and joints. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 There are more expensive machines the one my mum has was 300Euros as it was bought in Spain and can be set to do lots of different things and hjas a timer on it I think it is one of those things where you get what you pay for and the hire one will be of better quality Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 I hired one from Boots but we did not get a demo! I didn't like it all when I tried it out, but during labour it was the only pain relief I had. Didn't even have to crank it right up to the highest setting. Maybe the ones at Boots are 'better' than the ones you can buy - they do seem to have come down in price a lot so maybe they are cheaper versions and therefore they may be less effective? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
