Where Can I get a TENS Unit?

[Jan S.]

I saw my uro yesterday and asked about a TENS since my primary symptom is pain and I would like to eliminate some of the pain medication I take if possible. My doc said that our military hospital does not have TENS, that he would refer me to someone in civilian practice, but he believes these days almost every urologist will steer me towards interstem. My doc also can't do that but is trying to get it.

I don't really want to go with something invasive because, to me, that seems like a last resort. Do I need a prescription for a TENS or can I get one on-line or in a medical supply store?

I also thought it was a bit frustrating that the urologist would not prescribe a mild muscle relaxer for me to take during the day but would prescribe more percocet! At least I'm not in pain but that just seems funny to me. He is also very stingy with pyridium. His reason for not prescribing something to ease the muscle spasms in my bladder is that I have a very active job and drive a car during times I'm taking my medications. !! Seems like percocet might do more harm than a muscle relaxer????

[izazen]

Hi,

My pelvic floor therapist told me that you need an RX from a doctor to get a TENS unit.

I hope you can get one.

[SandyRN]

The physical therapist at my pain mgmt doctors office got it for me.They stock them at the office and all she had to do was call my insurance company and make sure they would rent it for a month. After that month, if I liked it, which I did, my insurance company bought it for me. It was a lifesaver for me over this past weekend. I had company and had done a lot of cleaning the week before. I wore my tens unit til the battery actually died on me. It really helps my back and my bladder.

[Claredale]

Sandy, I am so glad that the TENS unit is working for you. How is your cold? I have said a special prayer for you for the last several days. I know you have been through alot! Has your fiance' been able to go to work?

Your friend, Tracey

[SandyRN]

My cold seemed to trick me. I was doing better but then I started cleaning my entire house from top to bottom, quite literally because we had company. Tom's uncle came in on Thursday night and stayed through Monday when I took him to the airport. We had Tom's brother and sister in law, and Tom's daughter here on Saturday for a cookout so we had a houseful then. Tom went back to work slightly more than half days on Monday. Now I'm coughing that nasty bronchitis like cough, sneezing, snuffling, etc. Thank you for the prayers! Anyway, don't wanna hijack this thread but the tens is a wonderful device!!!!!

I had it on for 24 hours on Saturday and my back really did stop hurting all together! It was pure heaven! :)

[ICNDonna]

A TENS unit does require a doctor's order. I went to a local medical supply place to get mine. I got it when my shoulder froze a year ago and I was in pretty bad pain and wanted it quickly. It was a little over $150. I have used it a lot for my IC related back pain and I love it.

Donna

[Nonna]

Just some information on the kind of unit that I have and that is used by lots of IC patients. It's an Interferential Stimulator and has a special program for IC designed by an IC doctor. It's more powerful than the typical TENS units. It's also a very expensive unit if you don't have insurance that will cover it. Mine did not so I had to pay for it, but the company has special discounts for my doctor's patients and pretty much all self-paying patients. For me it has certainly been worth the money. The electrodes go two in front (right by your bladder) and 2 high in back (just above the buttocks) It has been such a comfort for me in that it gives me a way that I can deal with this without having to take medication, even though when it's bad I find that the combination of low dose vicodin and the stimulator together really take the edge off. It's also a great distraction and pelvic massage. I can't be without it, even though I usually only wear it at home or in the evening because I don't feel like wearing a fanny pack around while I'm teaching.
As far as getting hold of a unit, I've just finished working to try to see if a woman in Canada could get one just like I have from my company (EMPI). Her problem was that the Canadian branch of the company insisted on her paying outright for the unit (her insurance won't cover it) and not allowing her to return it if it didn't work for her! (The retail price of the unit if $2,750!)However, I've found a wonderfully cooperative person at EMPI who explains that you first get a doctor's prescription (you have a doctor sign the form that this EMPI rep sent me for this woman in Canada) and then you FAX it to him, either paying for a monthly rental (it's something like $125) or you can discuss a discount purchase price with him. But I think it's important to try out the machine first for a month to make sure it's going to work for you. Not everyone finds them helpful, but many people do.
Many people have great insurance that will cover the cost and the form that he sent me has a section where you give your insurance info. and they will bill your insurance. If you have to self-pay the monthly rental charge can be deducted from the final purchase price.
My doctor feels that this will pretty much replace interstim and they are perfecting this unit all the time.
If anyone wants more info. you can send me a personal message and I can give you more information.

[GoldSeals]

I
I don't really want to go with something invasive because, to me, that seems like a last resort. Do I need a prescription for a TENS or can I get one on-line or in a medical supply store?



I bought a tens unit recentally but its not the one they use for tibual nerve stimulation.I didnt have a prescription for it.Its all about money,LOL!
I believe the reason they want you to have a prescription for it is in case you have a heart conditon or maybe use a pacemaker.So its a good idea to ask your doctor first.
We IC patients dont care about money or how to get something to stop the pain.When your desperate who cares.
When I get enough courage im going to try the tens on my bladder like Sandys is doing.At least I know where to place the patches now reading these all posts.
Regards,Goldseals

[Vampireness]

WHAT???? Prescription for TENS unit??? Damn!!!

Well, I think half of the local doctors, have no clue what TENS unit is....so yeah I'm doomed.

Unless, my nurse would write it for, didn't think it needed prescription...sheesh. I'm not making plans to buy it now, though.

Vampireness

[marsi4]

I have a tens unit and it doesn't help with the pain. It only penetrates so deep and doesn't do anything for pain that's inside the bladder.

Marsi4

[ICNDonna]

You might be able to get one without a physician since you aren't in the USA. I don't think Canada requires a prescription.

Donna

[Vampireness]

Marsi - I'm sorry that it didn't help with pain, it seems that way with some of the units, like SANS and TENS. That's another reason why I don't want to buy something and have it work for awhile.

Donna - Oh I see, I'll look around so I can buy it in the future, I'm sure it's pretty expensive.

There is another item I was told that helps pelvic muscle an interferential device. Seems like anyone can purchase it online.

Vampireness

[ICNDonna]

You can find a TENS unit for under $100. Mine was about $150.

Donna

[Agape]

You can find a TENS unit for under $100. Mine was about $150.

Donna

I've heard others talk about a TENS unit, but am clueless as to what it is exactly. Could you or someone please explain it to me?
Thanks,

[Vampireness]

You can find a TENS unit for under $100. Mine was about $150.

Donna

I came across, while looking for something else, a US store, selling TENS unit and no prescription was required.

It was $99 dollars.

I've heard others talk about a TENS unit, but am clueless as to what it is exactly. Could you or someone please explain it to me?
Thanks,

I'm not too sure on how it works, but I know that it's a device that stimulates certain nerves and you carry it around in a pouch like thing. It helps with pain and frequency for some. And, you use these sticky pads and attach them to your body, like back or lower ab for example. You need to buy more of those sticky pads and they're attached to a wire, which is attached to the main device. It stops working for some people after sometime.

http://www.householdgoods.com/images/tens-unit-with-clock.html.jpg

[ICNDonna]

A TENS unit transmits tiny electrical shocks, which helps alleviate pain. I originally got mine for a frozen shoulder. I would stick the four patches on my shoulder (two on the front, two on the back) and carry the small battery unit in a pocket. The wires can be a nuisance, but it really helped get my shoulder going again.

I also use it for the back pain that can come with a bladder flare. If you do a Google search for TENS, you can see pictures.

Donna

[Arizonian]

For I.C. pain, there is only one TENS unit that will address I.C. pain and that is the EMPI "IF 3 Wave" device. You can try it free of cost for one month, then rent it until you decide to buy it. My insurance company covered the full cost of the device and supplies. It works on both pain and frequency and even has a back pain setting, too. It gives 40 hertz of electricity as opposed to the small TENS units ( I have one of those, too, which I used to use for sports injuries). Dr. Brookoff of Denver is a hugh proponent of the IF 3 Wave.
Call EMPI's headquarters (see its web site) and ask for your local sales rep for that device. IC patients are eligible for the discount which reduces the price to $1250 (about 1/2 of the normal cost).
I've been using it for 8 months and it has reduced my IC pain and Pudendal Neuralgia pain.
Good luck!

[Agape]

Donna: Do you think a TENS unit would help my husband with his back pain? He doesn't have IC, but does have a lot of back pain and nothing OTC seems to help him. I wonder if a primary care physcian would even know about this device?

[Grammy]

A regular tens is quite cheap and usually does take a prescription to get it. Cost is around 100.00. This type of tens machine irritates the skin surface to make a distraction. On the other hand an interferential tens cost around 3000.00 and it has the ability to provide deep muscle massage internally. I just got my unit yesterday from the empi company and am trying to get through pages of info. Several people love this machine and it has saved people from having to have surgrey. This does of course require a prescription as well and you will want to see if your insurance company deals with this company. If not they usually give you a discount. I am anxious to get through all the details and try mine. Dr. Brookoff has a program in there for ic and pfd disorders and I think that it is hit or miss as to the placement of the pads but the leads MUST cross each other. I will let you all know in a couple of weeks how this unit helps me out.

[glassd18]

My tens unit cost $50.00, and I bought it through my physical therapist for PFD. I should use it more than I do!!!

[ICNDonna]

For Agape: It might help. I suggest he talk with his doctor about trying one.

Donna

[Arizonian]

Your urologist needs to prescribe a TENs unit and the best one for IC comes from ****. It is the IF 3000 model. Some insurance firms pay for it. It costs $1000. The sales rep. will train you on how to use it. It helps with pain and frequency. Dr. Brookoff is a proponent of it.
Good luck.

[ICNDonna]

You should be able to purchase a very good TENS unit for $150 or less. Talk to your doctor for recommendations --- or if you're in a physical therapy program, your PT should be able to help choose one.

Donna

[Teresa27]

I seen the picture on this page. I feel after reading the posts,it seems like a pretty good idea, right? I need to do something for pain management. I love my Uro BUT, he has no clue the pain I am in, he says he does, and I think he thinks he does, but all he gives me, and everytime somewhat reluctant is ultram and peridium, i also have to fight for nausea medicine.

[ICNDonna]

TENS stands for transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulator. I bought mine at a Medical Supply place; it was about $150. Mine runs on a 9 volt rechargeable battery. They deliver tiny shocks, which can help relieve muscle spasms. Some ICers find it helps a lot.

Donna