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Has anyone used a TENS unit for PN?

Posted by trishdub @trishdub, Apr 2 8:52am

I have had PN (not formally diagnosed) for years, beginning in my right big toe and progressing to include all of the toes. My main symptom has been "feet on fire," especially at night. When it got to the point where I couldn't sleep, I went to my PCP who prescribed amitriptyline. That worked great but I had to keep upping the dose. When it got to 30mg a night (which I know is still pretty low), I came to this forum and found a lot of people suggesting R-Alpha Lipoic Acid. I have been on that since last November and am just finishing weaning myself off the amitriptyline. Yeah! But here is the new development: I started using a TENS unit for overactive bladder (and I read that it can help with neuropathy). After about two weeks of using it 5 days a week, I am now feeling far more tingling in various points in my calves. It doesn't hurt; it is very mild and just strange feeling. Is it the TENS, which I stopped two days ago. Or could it be something else?
Has anyone successfully used a TENS unit for PN?
Thank you for any information.

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trishdub | @trishdub | Apr 11 12:45pm
In reply to @amanancy "@norwalkk Same way it started with me, now up to mid thigh, worse at night. My..." + (show)
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@norwalkk Same way it started with me, now up to mid thigh, worse at night. My doctor perscribed Baclofen. It has REALLY helped to knock it back.

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@amanancy
So many people have written in talking about the progression of the PN. What kind of time are you talking about in your case?

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norwalkk | @norwalkk | Apr 11 6:33pm

/Thank you. It's good to know that something is helping and I will write that down for a conversation with my doctor. Good luck with this journey.

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slc52 | @slc52 | May 11 11:26am
In reply to @norwalkk "Hello. my first post here, but I feel I must comment on this "treatment". There is..." + (show)
Profile picture for norwalkk @norwalkk

Hello. my first post here, but I feel I must comment on this "treatment". There is a chiropractor in my area who constantly advertises that he has helped "thousands of patients" with his treatment. Finally I decided to give it a try. It was the Anodyne Freedom 300 and the Rebuilder, sold together. In my case, about 3 years ago, the cost was over $7,500.00. In addition to this expense one needed to spend an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening with both of these machines. Part of the package included a vibrating foot massager, a powder of vitamins, and a salve , and a couple chiropractic adjustments. I faithfully followed this protocol for 1 1/2 years, 2 hours/day. IT DID NOTHING to help my neuropathy (Unknown cause). I would caution about buying into this as a cure or even a help. Lots of money and time wasted!!!

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@norwalkk I have had increasing neuropathy pain for about 6 years. The pain in my toes and feet got to the point that I was unable to sleep more than 2-3 hours a night. 300 mg of gabapentin twice a day did nothing for me plus I did not like the side effects. This led me to respond to a chiropractor offering the therapy you referenced. I must say that I have had great results following this protocol. Within days of beginning I was able to sleep through the night which put my life in a better perspective. I have followed the home therapy, including supplements and minor diet changes, along with weekly therapy sessions with very good results over the course of the initial 90 days of the program and will be reevaluated in the next few days. Granted it is very expensive, and I don’t expect a “cure”, but I am extremely happy with improvements and ability to manage the pain to this point.

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