Electrocuted!

Ok guys, I got my interferential unit for my back on friday. i can't say whether or not it works yet as they said i have to use for two weeks before i might see any gains or pain relief. it's kind of clunky and a little heavy. i can wear it on my belt or use a shoulder harness. i kind of like the harness. think Mr. Spoc's tricorder set up! anyway, i wear four electrodes across the middle of my back and they hook up to a pair of coiled lead wires. i pull this out from under my clothes and then hook it into the device. i can adjust the current. basically, it feels like tingling unless i put it up high then it crunches me with voltage. they have different programs so the sine waves can be abrupt or parabolic or just constant. they have spasm, blood circulation, exercise, pain relief and a host of other types of programs you can run. they run for 40 minutes and i can do this 2-3 times a day or run the thing 24/7 if i want. the voltage can get up there and actually cramp me and burn. so i can see it's going to take some playing around. i've been wearing it on my walks and it seems to help so far. it also loosened up a knot in my back. so for you guys out there looking for solutions other than drugs, i'll keep updating this for you. i think i put a link a few posts back to the company if you're interested. also, my insurance didn't pay and they'll sell you the device for half price so mine is $1,150.00. i paid $150 to trial the device for 45 days so we'll see. later......

cb, I wore a TENS unit for my back, under my clothes all day when I had so much trouble while waiting to get my abs ‘re-built.’ The ‘Tri-Corder’ is exactly how we referred to mine. It does take a while to get the full benefits of it, And I had to play with the settings a bit to find "The Sweet Spot." Hopefully this’ll "Knock it in the Head." I’m in the throws of scheduling surgery to fix my torn rotator cuff now. Looks like this summer. For now, it’s Tylenol, re-using my old TENS unit at night, And a Massage Therapist to fight off "referral pain" until I can get my sholder Into the Shop! Give the Voltage time to work. Hope your doing better soon! Best Wishes- Dx

hey Dx,

way way back i remembered you talking about the TENS unit and brought that up with my pain doc in the beginning. he said it wouldn't work for me but since i quit the drugs he believed this unit would work because it goes way deep in the skin. IF differs from the TENS because it can go very deep. so let's give it a while and see what happens. i can say no and return it but i just can't face going back to drugs again. I hope your shoulder repair goes well for you. my bro has had that surgery a couple of times. my IF unit is great for all areas of the body except the head and i can use it for any area that hurts in the future. we tried it out on my g/f's knee so it's nice to know i can use it elsewhere too. this is supposed to be for post op as well. they have the surgistem 3 for post surgery repair. i bet it's just the same unit! anway, here's to finding the sweet spot and better health! Carbonblob

You scared me CB! I thought you maybe hit the 220 line while you were hanging a cabinet.

No, great to hear that you're getting some relief at a (relatively) reasonable price. I'm passing all this info on to relatives.

Meanwhile, I've been googling different supplements, and it looks like glutamine actually helps intestinal function, so if you're still having abdominal pain, you might give it a try (bulknutrition.com seems to have the powder at the cheapest price). I took 5 grams today and haven't had any gas. Of course I'm taking Probiotics, drinking carbonated drinks and other stuff that could relieve the gas, but today seems to be my most normal day so far since the sudden attack.

Best Wishes,

Dave

Here's a quote from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glutamine

 

"Aiding gastrointestinal function

There have been several recent studies into the effects of glutamine and what properties it possesses, and, there is now a significant body of evidence that links glutamine-enriched diets with intestinal effects; aiding maintenance of gut barrier function, intestinal cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as generally reducing septic morbidity and the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The reason for such "cleansing" properties is thought to stem from the fact that the intestinal extraction rate of glutamine is higher than that for other amino acids, and is therefore thought to be the most viable option when attempting to alleviate conditions relating to the gastrointestinal tract. ^[1]

These conditions were discovered after comparing plasma concentration within the gut between glutamine-enriched and non glutamine-enriched diets. However, even though glutamine is thought to have "cleansing" properties and effects, it is unknown to what extent glutamine has clinical benefits, due to the varied concentrations of glutamine in varieties of food."

nope, no 220 line here! thank god. if i dial this thingy up though it sure feels like a 120 line though. i'll keep ya posted as to the progress so maybe it will help with the relatives. like Dx says, i've got to find the spot first. it's good to know i'm not the only one who wears it on the harness, just seems to be better place to carry it. the freakin thing is huge when on my belt!

glutamine is a big time seller for weight lifters. used all the time. you know, my guts have been really good lately and i bet it's because i'm regular again! sorry to be so graphic but those pain pills just stopped me up, then throw a protein shake on top and no wonder i would have pain in my colon. so now i don't take stopping up drugs and i take a previcid every day. my guts have finally settled down but thanks for asking. take care.....Carbonblob

Hey CB.... next step for you is a cattle prod....:zap: hope it works russ

Me too Russ. it's happily zapping away as we speak!

CB,

 I also used a TENS unit and was able to get relief.  I rented mine and turned it back in after a few months.  I have not needed it since.

 It may take awhile before it works for you, but you may be surprised with the results.

yeah Jim,

i gotta think long and hard about this one. if i buy it then it's all the supplies, wearing the clunky thing etc etc. in my case i just may have to give in because i don't want to return to those narcotics again. they just ruined my life but that's the alternative if this doesn't work. i'll keep ya posted, thanks....Carbonblob

Boy would that be the best $1150 you could ever spend if it works.  I am pulling for you. Scott