What do I do with stuff?

[Babs RN]

Ok, since the pain clinic was unwilling to treat my IC due to Dr. Ratbag, the only thing they did offer was a TENS unit so I said sure. So...today UPS brought the unit(in the mail)with no instructions, where to put the leads,nada, nothing zilch. It came in a really nice case with a retun to sender and what number to call for extra electrodes. I had assumed someone would teach me how to operate this thing and that it wouldn't have come to me in the mail for me to figure out. To top it off, it came from a company in MN. I have been willing to put up with a ton of crap from this situation, but this is bogus and one huge cowpie. My primary doctor who withdrew from my pain management to refer me to a big medical center where he sabotoged that by sending a horrible letter ahead of my appt without my knowledge, don't even feel comfortable entering the hospital at all for fear of substandard care, and just plain attitude. I'm trying to stay positive but all of this is ridiculous. Stick a fork in me, I'm done. I give up trying to be the compliant willing to follow through like a good little patient. :headbang: :cussing: :headbang:


Trying to keep it together,
Barb

[kelly McC]

My Pt showed me how to use it and set the settings. Do you have a pt? I am sorry your doctors are treating you like this. I wish I could help. Maybe if you call the number for ordering they could put you in contact with someone who can help.
Maybe try calling some local pt's and asking them what you can do if your doctor wont help ?
Huggs,
Kelly

[dbays]

Hello, each channel has to cross your pain, which means, channel one has two patches place one patch at the top left and then place the other one bottom right.and do the other channel the same way. As far as the settings you can test each one out to see which best suits your pain. My pt also told me to turn it off for 20 minute periods, that is if you wear it all the time. I just got mine today,I hope this helps, feel free to email me if I can help in any way.

[MAMASITA4]

My PT also showed me how to use the machine and preset the settings. The unfortunate thing was that when the company that owns the machine called me to find how out effective it was, I told them that it felt good while it was on but I didn't notice any positive effects after it was turned off. I use it for fibromyalgia and IC. The machine manufacturer had me open the machine and tell them what the PT had preset the dials to. Said the settings were not correct and they had me change them. I still don't have any relief except when the machine is on. Also, some tens machines are 2 leads and some are 4 leads. I have the 4 lead machine. I can't believe that the machine was just sent to you without any instructions of how to use it!! I would call and find out who you need to talk to regarding use of the machine!
Hope you will get some relief from it!

[shennan]

i have the empi machine from mn. it works really good. mine is the epix vt.
my pt has the number on 7, so it pulsates.

you can pm if you would like or email me at shennap@yahoo.com.

;)

[Amyinagony]

PT set my unit for me, plus showed me how to try other modes and settings. I cannot believe that your PCP sent a letter to sabotage you. THAT is TOTAL B/S!!!! I would be dumping that BIG JERK after saying a few choice words!!! THAT is substandard care!! The CRAP that we have to deal with just to get help is SO rediculous!!! Makes me sick!! I've often wanted to go back to the JERKS that mistreated me and give them a big piece of my mind for things they said to me and did to me that were so uncalled for. But, I'd probably be thrown in jail.
Take the TENS unit to the moron that prescribed it and say, "DO YOU THINK THAT YOU CAN EITHER SHOW ME HOW THIS (I would throw in some other words here) THING WORKS OR SEND ME TO SOMEONE THAT CAN?!?!?!?!?!?
Good luck Barb....I'll be thinking and praying for you.
This is a harsh way to approach it, but if you are anything like I was...I finally gave up on being nice, and said it like I felt it. To me that is called persistant!! It helped me.

[jrowley]

also what is the name brand of the unit maybe there are some directions online you could print out to try and figure it out on your one.

[Babs RN]

I wound up calling a friend who is asst chief of trauma surgery at a hospital in LA if he could find me a PT who knows about the use of TENS with IC and while I was at it asked for a couple of people he might recommend for pain management and the like. I've pretty much figured it our with help from his hospital's rehab dept. I have also found a new GP in the interim that is closer to me. I have known GP since I was in the Army and he was one of our family practice docs. I dumped a bunch of IC info off to him and we are touching base after my uro appt Thursday. Thanks to all that responded--I appreciate it.

Hugs,
Barb :bow: :love:

[kelly McC]

(((Barb))) I hope this doctor will be able to help you. How is your tens unit working ? Hope your getting some relief...
Take care many huggs,
Kelly