Best place to put TENS pads

[dustypuss]

Just bought a TENS machine . I had a op 5 weeks ago for a prolapse disk but op seams not to have worked. all the pain :-( that I am still experiencing is in my big left toe . where would you recommend I place the tens pads as the little book I got with it doesnt show this for foot pain . I cannot find any thing on the net aether

[DONNAKEBABUK]

Hi Dusty. I had a TENS machine for back problems but yours may be a little different as mine was from the Pain Management Clinic at my local Hospital (you could ring your Pain Managment Clinic though and someone would speak to you over the phone and ask about your foot). When I had the pains in my back shooting down my legs and up my neck, I placed the pads, two on the base of my spine and two at the bottom of my neck.

The one thing I had to be really careful of tho is not knocking the control as this used to send SHOCKWAVES through my body and make me jump up like I had been electrocuted.

Good Luck, I wish you well and DO NOT envy you having to tolerate such pain.

Take Care.

katie. x

[dustypuss]

thanks

[rabbitygirl]

Hello again dustypuss. Sorry you are still suffering. I KNOW what you are going thru. What does your doc say about the toe pain. I think it was to you I mentioned the shingles treatment wasn't it?

[Ice.Maiden]

As someone who's suffered with disc probs, torn ligaments and other unpleasant and painful back problems, I have to say that TENS machines seem highly effective. I'd give yourself a bit more time yet, as 5 weeks isn't really that long to get over your op. Perhaps your doctor or someone from the hospital might be best to advise you where to place the pads, but I used to place them around the kidney area, and the pulse seemed to ease my lower spine.

[daffy654]

http://www.medcareservice.com/Electrode-Placem ent.cfm#

This is the only placement chart I can find that has pads on the feet.

[dustypuss]

thank to all . I haven't seen my doc since op as I have been waiting to see the surgeon 6 week post op assessment. but I am going to see him/her ( I never have the same doc twice ) this week to see if he prescribe some different pain killers the ones I am on ( LYRICA ) seem to make the pain worse? . i might mention the shingles pill but he might think I mad if I say this person called rabbitgirl recommends these ! . Now all I have to do is get my TENS machine back of Mrs DP as she thinks that it will be a good slimming aid ?

[daffy654]

My sister had the same operation as you have had(20 years ago) and still has pain now.They prescribed her Dihydracodeine(sp) but she hates taking them as they make her drowsy and doolally. I know some anti-depressants and anti-epileptic tablets are used in the treatment of nerve pain,maybe they will help. I am under the care of the pain clinic at my hospital and i've mainly been given non tablet forms of treatment for my pain so far.First was the TENS machine which has reduced my pain but not cured it,then I had cortisone injections in the nerves under my rib cage,they hurt like mad and provided no pain relief at all. I most recently had BOTOX injections to see if my pain is caused by muscle spasm in the chest wall but as they didn't work either so I assume its not muscle pain. Good luck with it all dustypuss, I know what having unrelenting chronic pain is like and I feel for you.
BTW tell mrs dp that TENS doesn't work for weight loss! lol

[dustypuss]

Daffy I had 1 of those cortisone injection in my back . to be quite honest I would rather had a kick in the Bal*s. Iv never felt Any thing like it. when I went for my second injection I told the surgeon that it had done nothing for me . so he said OK not worth wasting this one you . off you go. I have never left a operating theater so fast in my life !

[Whoever]

Having undergone surgery for a ruptured disc, I can only caution patience as you may still be suffering from inflamed spinal nerves which may take a while yet to settle down after surgery. 5 weeks is still a very short recovery time I continued to suffer back pain for many years after my operation, but after a particular bad episode, consulted a chiropractor in an effort to get mobile again. This was enormously helpful as it transpired that my spine had been out of alignment for a long time, which had probably contributed to the prolapsed disc in the first place by putting undue pressure on it. Once you feel a little better, an assessment with a chiropractor may help your long term recovery and keep your spine in good alignment for the future. Sorry I can help regarding the TENS machine as I've never used one.

[dustypuss]

I suppose I expected a miracle as the surgeon told me very little a bout the post op recovery time ABers have been more help like your self . Thanks

[rabbitygirl]

Hello dusty - me again. Please ask about the shingles thing wont you. I really dont mind that you forget I am a rabbit!

With me, as I think I said, the back was fine after my op, the toe pain started because nerves were beginning a recovery. I posted about the full agony of it a while back.

No experience of chiropractic treatment. However, in the Times last week or before, a medic said they have many patients damaged by the treatment. It is tempting I'm sure, and helps many, but personally I dont think all that clicking business is right.

And they agreed. In fact one said 'dont let them touch you anywhere below your neck!!!!'

Keep us posted. x

[dustypuss]

I must get of my backside and go to the doc I am just been lazy . it a strange thing this pain yesterday i was hardly there so I think yippee Its getting better . but to day is a lets jump off the humber bridge day . I going to Canada in 5 weeks time I hope its OK fore then or it may be a jump of Niagara falls day . only joking

[dustypuss]

I suppose If I go to the doc and say I know a girl who goes like a rabbit and she recommends these pills . he might not think I mad , just lucky!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rabbitygirl]

Careful you dont want to get the wrong pills now!