TENS Question: From a GUY :)

[ThomasMcKean]

Hi there! :)

I saw that some of y'all were using TENS and I wanted to ask you about it?

I don't have IC, but I do have "neurological issues" including fibromyalgia that makes urination (and defecation) a bit difficult... I tend to ... mass produce... :( Sometimes this can be most painful.

A couple of years ago I spent several months researching TENS. I know these devices inside and out. I know how they work, the theory of operation, what they do to the body that blocks the pain, and how to set the dials.

I am curious though because in all of that research, I never came across anything that talked about TENS and IC.

Can you ladies really say this helps you? :) That would be so kewl. Does it keep you from constantly going, or does it just help the pain when you DO go? I am very curious because of the research I have done with TENS.

I am curious about two things. Where do you place the electrodes (and how many do you use) and also how do program the unit? What settings do you find the most effective?

Enquiring minds want to know. :)

[Bessie]

I just got one this week, well actually I got 2 of them. One is for muscle contractions and one is for the nerve impulses. I am really just learning how to use it. I have 4 leads and the box has 5 settings. It is called RS-Tens Plus. It seems to help some with the pain. I think it is the vibration that makes your mind think about something other than the pain. I still have to take my pain medication. It is just another addition to help alleviate my symptoms.

[ThomasMcKean]

I just got one this week, well actually I got 2 of them. One is for muscle contractions and one is for the nerve impulses. I am really just learning how to use it. I have 4 leads and the box has 5 settings. It is called RS-Tens Plus.

I wasn't familiar with that model. I just looked it up. Very interesting that it has the five settings. So far I can't find any info on just what the five settings are. Maybe if I could, I could tell you which to try?

It seems to help some with the pain. I think it is the vibration that makes your mind think about something other than the pain.

Close, but not quite. :) TENS works in one of two ways, depending on the settings.

The first way (and most common) is the "gate control theory." This is when you feel a "buzz" (or maybe a "vibration" is another way to say it?). What is happening is the electrical current is interacting with your nerves and is creating a "gate" that actually blocks the pain signals. They are blocked right there where the electrodes are, so they don't reach the brain. You are actually still feeling the pain, and your body is still sending out the pain signals, but since those signals never reach the brain, you are unaware of them.

The other way TENS works (and this when you feel more of a "massage" feeling) is by releasing endorphins. What happens here is the electrical current (which is a very different current than the "gate" current mentioned above) releases your own body's natural endorphins, which are just as powerful, if no more so, than morphine. These endorphins then deal with the pain so you don't have to.

There are some severe cases where this doesn't work, but it does for most people...

These explanations are oversimplifying things a bit, but still you can get the general idea of what is going on...

I still have to take my pain medication. It is just another addition to help alleviate my symptoms.

One thing I know well and can relate to even with you ladies, is that you do what you must to alleviate symptoms.

[Bessie]

Thanks so much for your thought on this. I am really excited to have anything to help with this God awful pain. If you would like to private message me please feel free to.