just got TENS and NMES (RS4i)

[LeeAnn]

Hi guys,
I just started my TENS and NMES this past Monday. So far I don't think it helps. Shucks.

But then again, I didn't get to work with a PT. All I got was a rep from the TENS unit company.

My unit has both TENS and NMES. She told me to do 15 minutes of the TENS and 30 minutes of the NMES (neuromuscular electrical stimulation) for a total of 45 minutes.

The TENS is a steady current and the NMES feels like it's pulsing but what it's doing is creating a muscle contraction. The NMES is supposed to prolong the pain relieving effects.

The rep told me to put all 8 electrodes on my legs, like the upper inner thigh area. 4 on each side. it takes 45 minutes and she told me to do it 2-3 times a day.

I'm doing it just as she said but not seeing any improvement.

Today I decided to put 4 of the electrodes right over my bladder. But it didn't seem to make a difference.

Does anyone else have this unit? The website is:

http://www.rsmedical.com/product_rs4i.asp

I'm going to call my doctor tomorrow and tell him this isn't helping.

Do you guys have any ideas, especially regarding the electrode placements?

[blue]

I have a tens, but not the same unit. I find it helpful. I wish I had 8 leads, I only have four. I dont' get why putting it on your leg.

[littlemyrn]

I have the Empi and have only 4 leads. When I did pt for pfd they would put two leads at base of the buttocks area and two in the inner thigh, At home I place them where the pain is, sometimes on the back, bladder, thighs, I find it very calming. Mine can attach to belt, so I look like a robot walking around, but that's ok.

[MerryBerryMoose]

I use TENS for pain and frequency.

I'm not sure what your unit looks like, but you could try putting on 2 pads from one chanel and two from the other. I was told, for example, to put chanel one on the left side. So one electrode would go just above my pubic line and about 1/2in to the left of my bellybutton. And the other electode on chanel one would go on my lowwer back about 1 1/2 inches up from by butt crack (sorry for the vivid detail) and about 1in to the left of my spine. I do the same with the 2 electrodes on chanel two (only on the right side).

My PT said this gives you sort of a current and the stim can pass through your pelvic bone area (which I guess is hard to do).

Also, if you try setting you TENS to the wave in and out mode (I forgot the term for it) it works a bit better because your body doesn't really adjust to it. Or so I was told.

Hope this helps.

[ihurttoo]

I would ask your Dr. for a referral to a Physical Therapist so he or she can show you the best placement for your pain. They can also show you different places to put them if the pain radiates to other areas. It would be well worth it to go just for a few visits to be shown where to put them. Then, if it isnt helping, the PT can switch things up and adapt it to work on your personal needs.

I hope you get some relief soon!

Hugs,
Amy

[LeeAnn]

hey thomas, thanks for the tip. back in the summer, i realized the NMES feature was probably inappropriate for me b/c i felt it was creating pelvic floor dysfunction or contributing to overly tight pelvic muscles which made me hurt worse. i used only the TENS feature for quite a while but decided i wanted a plain TENS unit b/c it's more portable (whereas the other one isn't portable at all). but right now i'm pregnant and can't use it at all. actually, i feel great right now---better than ever but this seems to reinforce the idea that i have two diseases inside my bladder---IC and Endo (inside the bladder). since i'm pregnant the only disease i have to control is IC and i feel soooo much better....i'm still on three meds and i still have to be strict on my diet but i've never felt better honestly. maybe i can find a way to stay pregnant for the rest of my life!!!! i told my husband that i'm going to be the next lady on TV with 17 kids. i wonder if insurance will cover this as a medical necessity, hahhaaha.....i can dream, right?