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Yay! Got my new home TENS/STIM dual unit today!

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Posted 8/16/2013 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
Irked my doc though, because I had to contact them yesterday, and tell them my PT says they did NOT receive the Rx my doc said she faxed earlier this week.  (Why does this seem to happen to so many of us on a regular basis,...."Oh, we faxed that already."  "Oh, well they said they didn't get it."  "Oh, well we DID send it.  We'll send ANOTHER copy.".........(What ever happens to all these "first faxes" that our doctors swear they send to our other practitioners who swear they never received, and they've double and triple checked).

Well, my PT tells me he got it today, which is why I could leave my PT session with my new nifty unit.  I came home to find a secure message (my medical group uses some type of portal thing, where not only CAN we communicate online, there are some things that can ONLY be done online?  What's with that?)...and its from my PCP who writes:  Rx's for TENS/STIM and low profile AFO PREVIOUSLY faxed.

Rather curt.

But anyhoo, they sent it, they got it, I got it, it's versatile, and while I was concerned it would be "not enough" (as I have a high threshold/endurance for STIM and TENS), I was pleasantly surprised.  We played around with the settings and programs, and he got me by surprise once and I "accidentally" reached out and wacked his arm.  (Therapeutic catharticism).

Sookie whose foot and toes are still buzzing.....

Posted 8/16/2013 11:30 PM (GMT 0)
Congratulations. Job well done. Glad I am not the only one that has problems getting doctor's offices to do things right. Hope it works well for you.

David
Posted 8/17/2013 2:55 AM (GMT 0)
Traditionally I've had very good results with STIM and TENS. But previously I would adapt very quickly to the home units, and the units at PT or at the Chiro's would offer the best relief.

I've often experienced the "we sent it" and the "we didn't receive it" more often than what seems truly possible. I just can't believe it could happen that often, in that many different offices, with all this "double checking" and such.

Makes me wonder where the mixups truly are.


Sookie
Posted 8/17/2013 5:03 AM (GMT 0)
I was so so glad when the TENS unit I got was the EXACT same unit they had me use at PT. (My therapist joked that my doc must love me to have found a way to get me the same unit, but I think it was more her doing, she probably mentioned the success I was having with that particular unit).

It also made learning it super easy cause I already had experience with it.
Posted 8/17/2013 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hope you find it beneficial.

What model is it?

Unfortunately my new DS2200 "Twin Stim" (TENS/EMS) is already broken -- channel #2 has stopped working.

I'll get a replacement, but I also just ordered two others, one mini unit more easy to conceal while out as well as one that also includes IF, just in case that helps in a way that the others do not.

BTW, for replacement pads, let me know if you find a good price. The best I've found so far is $24 for 40 pads (amazon).
Posted 8/18/2013 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
Mine is a TWIN STIM too.

What surprises me is how happy I am with it. Usually my tolerance for STIM is very high. But since my back surgery, I have areas of hypersensitivity as the nerves come back so I'm actually responsive without having to turn it too high.

But, sadly, I do still have areas of numbness where I don't "feel" it, but my PT said, keep doing it, just because peripherally I may not feel it one area does not mean I'm not benefiting.

My insurance covered it, and it came with 16 pads, so I don't know how much it cost (until I get the EOB and see what they billed). I got it through my physical therapist. If my doc writes a blanket Rx, they can order what unit they feel is best, including if this doesn't, or no longer, works, to upgrade or change to a different unit.

The one at PT is this free standing column unit that's about 4' high with four channels with quite a range of settings. My home one is like the size of a little ipod or something with a 9v battery in it.

It came in GREAT when I drove to our new house yesterday. I spent a total of over seven hours driving and an hour walking around the house and grounds. I kept that sucker on, you bet. And I brought 3 ice packs so at least on the drive up I could STIM and ice too! Amazing. Helped sooooo much!! Love it.

I'm still learning all the functions on it. Two channels. I'm playing with the varieties to see what it can do, but so far, I'm loving 'em all....except the burst, (which I know I have to do so I don't get desensitized to the effects).


Sookie
Posted 8/18/2013 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
Cogito,

Do you HAVE to use the same type of pads?

I used to use ones that had some type of colloidal gel that was supposed to provide a better conductivity. I mean, these pads have the gel too, of course. The ones that came with it are sturdy too, they're like thick versions of the woven bandaid fabric, they don't pull or stretch or tear.

Can we use different size pads or does it really matter?

My PCP seemed to think I'd need larger pads for my back TENS than I do for my anterior tib STIM, but I've just used the same pads and they SEEM fine...

What do you think?

I haven't had a home unit in over a decade or more.


Sookie (part 2)
Posted 8/18/2013 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sookie,

I have a few types of pads. I'm pretty sure among them I have the same as you do -- beige woven with a "y" split in the lead built into the pad.

However, I prefer the Santa Medical pads from Amazon -- their adhesive is better and though there is no "y" split, they have the exact same effect.

As for pad size, I think the only relevance there is adhesion. I have various sizes and one way or another, the current gets through the skin and into the muscle. So, in my opinion, find the pad that holds on best but isn't so large it interferes with placement.

Pad size will not have any relevant effect on received current. In theory it could (consider wire gauges and resistance), but the current is so low and the pads are already so broad that anything from a few millimeters to a few inches will not yield any felt difference.

I think the key is -- stick with what sticks!


I haven't even considered consulting my insurance about this as the units are so cheap. Although I've seen many times TENS units being sold at 10x or more their real price, they can be bought on one's own for just $25-$75. In fact, somewhere I saw a TENS unit charged to insurance for about $2000. Our unit retails for $35-$45.


One negative with our unit is that it can't be easily adjusted in the dark (except for the current). So, I also bought one that has a lit screen (and IF).

See: www.otcwholesale.com/koalaty-ifcombo.html

as well as a smaller unit that I can more comfortably wear on my belt when I'm out of the house. See:
www.otcwholesale.com/promed-prom503dblk.html

I presume I'll also get a replacement "twin stim" from the retailer, but this way I can use whichever best suits what I'm doing at the time.

BTW, check out their TENS pad selection otcwholesale.ecomm-search.com/search?keywords=tens+pads

Prices are not the best, but this at least should give you a sense of the wide variety that exists.
Posted 8/18/2013 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
Yep, that's the one. And I do like the Y-split. And yep, those are the same pads. I had some pads before that felt more "plastic-y" to me and when I'd remove them, however carefully I'd do so, the gel would stretch and tear. I am, by default, careful, because my skin doesn't respond favourably to anything adhesive and tears very, very easily. (Makes me want to smack those therapists in Rehab, and the first PT's I had before finding "The Boys" as they're affectionately known in the circles,...but makes me want to smack them upside the head when they'd just RIP 'EM OFF, yanking, as if somehow faster is better? I fear for their elderly patients if my 50 year old crepe-y and hyper-reactive skin is this fragile and that's how they treat it).

THANK YOU soooooo much for the info. I appreciate it very much. I'm happy with the relief the unit gives so I see this being a part of my life for the long haul. I completely agree, it's hard to adjust, especially in the dark. Even the current catches me off guard if I try to do it w/o looking and accidently turn it the wrong way.

My vision sucks as it is, so I'm constantly pulling out the ole cheater glasses to try and read the displays (and the directions), as I'm still learning how this unit operates.

I think my therapist said it was $45 but never mentioned the cost of pads....I was just so thrilled it came with so many to get me started. But I sure am going to need replacements especially since I use it on various parts of my body. Around the house I can leave 6 pads on and just hook up whatever pads I want whenever I need to (instead of repeatedly pulling off the pads and relocating them).

Thank you again, so much, for this information. If you have any other tips on our unit, please feel free to share.


Sookie
Posted 8/18/2013 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
I have different size pads for my TENS, and it does make a different in terms of the bigger the pad the larger the stimulated area. I've used squares, circles, ovals, and long rectangles. It's great to have a choice on which shape/size I want based on which area of my back I want to treat.
Posted 8/18/2013 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
Are the "silver" pads (colloidal?) any better than the "regular" electrode pads?

Sookie
Posted 8/19/2013 5:58 AM (GMT 0)
Congrats on finally getting your unit.
Mine is an Empi Select, it is great, that's to say when my body will responded to it.

I also use Valtaren Gel. I tell you, there are times when I could pull my hair out. Like tonight my pain is all over. I live alone and I am tired of rub this with gel, and using unit and soothing warm shower. My pain travels and it is hard to decide where to rub now or next. Just so frustrated.

I would like to address the Doctors office, scripts faxes etc.

With the new Obama Care the paper work is a nightmare!!! The Doc needs to make sure that all codes are correct and then send the script on to whoever and their paperwork is a nightmare, then to the company and their paperwork is a nightmare. I am not sure, but there is a fine for the Doc if codes are not correct. Can you believe this?? Wait until the OCare fully kicks in. Then all the paper work from everyone on you goes to the government. That's our new healthcare. Geeez , like it is any of there business.

november17

Be Well :)
Posted 8/19/2013 12:16 PM (GMT 0)
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/280852806653?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_9992wt_998

this is the unit I have im very happy with it so far but will be looking for more pads soon

Posted 8/19/2013 12:44 PM (GMT 0)
Something I dislike about my TwinStim unit is that I cannot wear it to bed. It has a timer, so it'll shut off after 30 minutes, but, it doesn't "really" shut off. It still drains the battery, and when I wake up, dead battery. Bummer. I'd have thought, hoped, that when it shut off, it actually turned the unit off.

Shucks.
Posted 8/19/2013 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
ah mine turns off after 15 mins I wish it went longer but it does turn the machine off mine still has the 9 volt battery it come with
Posted 8/19/2013 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
Sookie,

I hadn't noticed that the battery gets drains when the pads are not active... perhaps because I eventually turn it off.

I purchased a 4-pack of rechargeable 9v --- with charger, something like $8 on ebay (get at least 500mAh batteries).

I haven't used the colloidal silver -- they may be more conductive and the silver is suppose to also help with bacteria. Using pads all the time, my skin can get a bit itchy and so there may a good reason for the silver for those who use the pads all the time.
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