TENS machines

Fibromyalgia Awareness

A few years ago when I started conducting research with people who had a variety of medical conditions one of the more surprising outcomes was that a lot of people mentioned that they were helped by simple household tools and gadgets just as much as they were helped by more formal treatments.

In my previous job we explored this is quite a bit of detail. A few years on i thought it would be interesting to see if this was still true today and what household gadgets and devices people with fibromyalgia found of use in dealing with the condition!

To do so I thought it would be interesting to poll the members of our Facebook discussion page FibromyagiaTalk. So a week or so ago we asked the question “Do you have a household gadget which ask provided you with particular help since your first symptoms of fibro?”

I have to say the results were fascinating as you would expect!

One item mentioned by a lot of responders was electric blankets. Indeed Pamela shared “Electric blanket has gotten me out of many binds. Also electric fireplace – I sleep on a dog bed all wrapped in blankets.” She goes on to mention “Drinking vanilla protein powder in ice water has fixed my binging on carbs which always brought on symptoms. Also it takes the place of iced tea or diet coke, which also did bc of caffeine. Dole fruit in 100% juice replaced the candy I was using to stay awake and functioning. Pushing past whatever physical, mental or emotional limits I think fibro sets for me has been my best gadget tho prayers to everyone struggling with it”

Aids to keeping warm are also mentioned in particular both Heather and Marsha mentioned heating pads. TENS machines also got mentioned by Kate.

Wendy commented ” “Walking stick, raised toilet seat, jar and bottle openers, electric can opener, back scratcher, shoe horn, safety handle on my bed to help with lying down and sitting up! Tubigrip and joint supports for my feet/ankles, knees, wrists and elbows! “. All great ideas.

Lesley said “I have a hot water dispenser instead of a kettle it makes things easier x”.

While Paula told us “Scissors..of course that might be helpful with all the arthritis I have also. I keep them everywhere”.

And Su offered “Grab rails in the bathroom over bath and in shower”.

Other however took a different approach. Sue-Ann said ” Although it’s probably not a household gadget, I will share that I play guitar. The nylon strings don’t sound like the steel that I love. I have found silk coated strings made by D’Addario. So for all u string instrument players suffering with fibromyalgia who love ur steel string sound….these give u the sound u love w/o the stress on ur fingers. ” And Debbie said “I love to sing and I mostly sing gospel music. It helps a lot and my gadget is my electric throw and my husband is awesome he takes care of me when I have a flare”.

The final comment I would like to mention is from Shay who gave us this plea: “I would like to start a campaign to ask vacuum manufacturers like Dyson to make the height of the handles adjustable so that particularly tall people like myself don’t have to stoop all the time while using them. This post is kind of the opposite of the question asked. My vacuum is the instrument that most frequently causes me extreme pain since the onset of #fibro. ”

So over to to you. What would you add to this list?

Feel free to add you thoughts and ideas in the comments section below.

Many thanks in advance!

A few weeks ago we ran a very successful blog on pain management. One of the threads was about using TENS machine to help treat pain. To read more of the blog please go to https://patienttalk.org/?p=225.

One of the big discussions was the use of TENS machine to treat pain. With one reader saying

“I had a friend that let me try his tens unit just when my nerve pain was starting. Within 5 minutes of using the tens unit my pain was gone. I then saw a PT Dr. who said the tens unit helps a whole bunch of patients. It is worth a shot, they are not that expansive and is better than medicine.”

On the other hand another reader recounted “no it does its makes it worst i use it to the tens unit and it doesnt do anything for my pain.”

So it seems that experiences are pretty divided. Because of these we thought it would be interesting to focus on the use of TENS machines to treat pain. We would love it if you could tell us about your experience of using TENS machines in the comments box below.

But what actually is a TENS machine and how does it work? Well TENs machines, or to give then their full name Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation machines use of electrical current to reduce pain. Typically the current is applied by two or more electrodes on the skin.

Have you ever used a TENS machine? How effective did you find it?

It would be great if you could share your knowledge with other readers of the blog. To help you frame your contribution you might wish to consider the following questions:-

a) What is your main medical condition which caused you pain?

b) Have you ever tried a TENS machine?

c) How effective was the TENS machine compared to other treatments?

d) How did you use the TENS machine? For how long and where on your skin for example?

e) How did you obtain the TENS machine? Is there any machine you would recommend?

Obviously these are just guidelines so please share anything you think may be of interest or useful to other readers in the comments box below.

Many thanks in advance for your contributions to the blog!

Patient Talk

Patient Talk

Fibromyalgia and household gadgets – What household gadget have you found useful since you were diagnosed with fibro?

Treating Pain with a TENS Machine