Chronic Pain Support Group

Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...

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Is it ok to use my TENS unit now?

m1078744
m1078744
Hi Guys,

I know the day of the procedure you guys suggested not to use my TENS unit for the pain that the thermocoagulation caused. I am having a really bad headache right now and my neck is stiff and is causing radiating pain into my shoulder. My lower back is acting up too. I worked out for an hour today, which may not have been smart, but I needed to work out since I really didn't want to work out. May not make sense, but I know that if I let myself go too long without exercising, I won't want to ever get back to it.

My question is if you guys think it's ok to use the TENS unit for my neck to try and help the pain. The headache is getting really bad. It's been two days since the procedure. I can't tell if the pain and stiffness I have right now is from the procedure or my typical pain I get. I forgot my Savella this morning (I managed to forget all of my morning meds) and I know that's not helping right now. I'd really appreciate any input or advice.

Thank you very much,
Megan
RJRelaxing
RJRelaxing
I don't know what procedure you had. You need to ask your doctor about the tens unit. In the interim, you can use moist heat for our neck that should help relieve some of the spasms.

Wishing you well.
Hugs-RJ
m1078744
m1078744
Dang. So yet again, as my pain has been rising, so has my temperature. It's up to 100.5 and it's been hovering about what my normal is at 97.9 for most of today. It is fascinating that the spikes in pain correlate with spikes in my temperature. Does this happen for you guys? Do you get fevers with increased pain?
RJRelaxing
RJRelaxing
NO. Fever normally relates to infection. Is there any chance that the procedure you had could have caused an infection. A headache with a stiff neck and a fever, does not sound good.

It is not a high fever, but I would be concerned enough to call the doctor and ask if you should be worried.

Just my thoughts.
-RJ
m1078744
m1078744
It might have. I don't really know much about what they did except that they burned nerves at four levels in my neck. I have been running a really pesky low grade temp for over 3 months, but it normally doesn't go as high as it is tonight. I will call the doctors office tomorrow and consult with them about the TENS unit and the temperature. Thank you very much RJ for your input. I really appreciate it.
deleted_user
deleted_user
You should be good to use your TENS now, it's been almost a week. If your still having any burning/tingling...nerve kind of pain close to the surface...the TENS can aggravate it...so then you might want to call the Dr. first and check because it's probably still from the procedure.

Just a geek note...I finally put an alarm on my watch...I take 15 meds a day..at 4 different times...and I was always missing something and trying to play catch up. Morning and bedtime are easy, but my watch alarm reminds me of the other 2 times.

Hope your feeling better soon and hope your mom and dad are getting the info they need on the SCS and getting behind you on that if that's what you've decided you want.

Take care,

Kat