Tens Unit for Back Problem Making Me Sleepy!

Hello Carrie,

I am not very familar with the TENS unit to be honest. On doing a quick search of the internet the one thing that stood out was - Use under the direction of a physician.

Carrie, do I assume correctly that you are under the care of a physican and that he/she prescribed the TENS unit to you? If so, it would seem best that you speak with your physician about becoming so very sleepy.

Perhaps it is a matter that your body was finally able to relax and thus was trying to "catch up" on the rest that has been missing.

I am most interested in how you are responding to the unit now, as well as what your physician has to say.

Do stay in touch.

RichT

It is working just great. And yes my GP gave me a RX for it. I think you hit the nail right on the head. I relaxes the muscles around my herniated disc and I am able to sleep better. I sleep like a baby now. Only thing with a TENS is that it does "Mask" the pain and makes you think you can do things that you should not be doing. Like moping the floor, Bending down alot etc. Thank goodness I know about that, so I really keep my mind on slow movement and not over doing. I found out about the TENS back about 12 years ago when my boyfriend had two disc fusions and I had broken three ribs. Boy, I put his unit on and it was like day and night. Of course I over did and went back to work to soon. I like it because there are so many settings that you can put it on to you own pain threshold. If you turn it up to high, the voltage can really hurt. I turn up the frequency instead. My physician knows that I know the pro's and con's cause I told her I knew. I love it, I really do. So if you ever have a back problem or disc problem, keep the unit in mind.

Talk to ya soon RichT and thanks for the reply,
Carrie

Hello Carrie,

Thanks for the "update" and added info. I'm glad the TENS unit is working for you. Just be careful and remember that the unit is "masking" the pain signals to your brain, and not do something that would physically make things worse.

Thanks for the info on the unit.

RichT

Thank-you. I am doing just fine. Pain is gone and just using TENS as needed now. I do sleep with it on as it does give me a great night sleep. I unfortunatly am a stomach sleeper and you know how that can throw you spine out of wack. So far so good though. I do without it most of the day now. Only turn it on because it also heals the muscle too. Like an oral muscle relaxer would only a little more money but, well worth it. I am not sorry I bought it at all. Best thing I could have done. Actually my sister is an LPN and she was the one that suggested it. My mom, sis and I were all in the medical field. Mom is retired and I am also from illness. But, sis is still working in a nursing home.
Now I just need to consintrate on my MS and get to the MS neuro specialist on Nov 2nd for a second opinion. I know the first tests are right but, it's always nice to get a back up from a neuro that specializes in the field.

Carrie

Hello Carrie,

So very wise to get a second opinion regarding the MS diagnosis by your first doctor. A second opinion helps to give one a sense of "calm" even if no different than the first doctors diagnosis. My thoughts and prayers will be with you on the 2nd.

Take care.

RichT

Thanks Rich . I am ready for the news as you can tell. You will be one of the first to know, I promise.

Carrie

Just wanted to up-date everyone on my back and my MS neuro visit.
First thing I found out is the two (not one) herniated disc's that I have are bulging. That he said is what is causing all the pain in my legs and not walking well and balance problems. He is sending me to PT for rehab.
Good bad or indifferent, I do not have MS. What I do have is hardening of the arteries in the brain causing my memory loss. Put me one baby asprin a day.

So there are the results from this mornings appointment. He also said that the white lesions could very well be tiny strokes I am having. Wonderful! I'm sure the aspring will help thin the blood flow enough to go through the plak in my arteries. And stop any futher damage.

Carrie

Hello Carrie,

I hope the PT helps you. Carrie, have you had an MRI and X-rays taken? I was just wondering how the doctor determined that you have two bulging discs?

Maybe I shouldn't say this, but if I were you I'd get a third opinion on the MS/hardening of the arteries issues. Sorry, but "a baby aspirin at day" just hit me as a bit strange. I'm no doctor, however, it would seem to me that some tests and imaging would be in order. Or has that been done?

I know, it is so difficult to know when you are getting proper professional advice. Takes a lot of research on ones own part, and faith in which doctor gives you the best "feeling". I've been through six spine docs and it is concerning when you get all the different "opinions". Makes one wonder if they really learned anything in med school. There are some really superb doctors, and then there are a lot of losers.

Sorry to go off on a tangent.

I truly hope you are able to get the RIGHT answers.

RichT

When my son even looked at my spine X-Rays, he even said they looked bulging. This doctor is very thourough and spent close to an hour with me. He did all sorts of test on me as far as feeling and memory go. I agree 100% that there are more looers out there then good ones. But, I am so over going to doctors Rich that I will just bear with anything it is. The TENS unit is working well. Have not had a pain pill in three days or more now. He also told me that he himself will manage my pain and I don't have to go to pain managment. I sure am happy about that. My calander is allmost full already. Dang SSD! Denied twice and now I go to court. Grrrrrrr with this system.

Carrie

Hello Carrie,

Thanks much for the clarifications and added info. I feel much better now knowing that your Neuro specialist did look at x-rays and did a thorough exam/test. GREAT that your doctor spent almost a hour with you. Sure wish I could find a doctor in my area that would spend that amount of time with me. Here it seems to be "hit and run".

FANTASTIC that you have been off meds for three days!!!! BRAVO!!

A question - What is SSD?

Take care.

RichT

SSD= Social Security Disability

I know what ya mean, Hit and Run is the one I fired. This new one is great. I truly trust his judgment. I walked out of that office knwing that I had found a doc that cared abouth his patients enough to explain every detail to them. He made me feel very confident with his findings,

Carrie