When I was going to PT they used the tens on the back of my legs, top to bottom. I actually loved it. The first few times made me feel worse afterwords till I told my therapist.. so then after that I would have my tens and then heat, and then stretching. It was really nice :)

I finally foung a new pain management doc who puts me on the "big" tens unit. Sorry, don't know what they call it. But I want my own! When I went in the 29th for med refills, they put me on it, I had a muscle in my right arm that would NOT give up "it's bulge" so I kept re-positioning that particular patch and by the time the 15 minutes were up "the bulge" gave up and went away, and has stayed gone!!! Don't know how long it takes, but once medicare is told that it helps me, they will pay for one! YEAH ME!!
Honey do ya think you might have it turned up too high? Also another question for the doc. Good luck!!

I couldn't handle even the lowest setting of the TENS unit. It made my body feel like it was being shocked. Horrible. Thankfully, my HMO (Kaiser) let me borrow one before I spent the money to buy one.

I received my Tens unit at my pain clinic. It didn't bother me while it was on, but in the next few hours or the next day I was so much worse. I have a lot of hard lumps on my back and it seemed to make them bigger and more sore. I told my doctor about it and he said it works for some but not all.

Maybe it is on too high or try a different modulation (program). I use different strengths and different programs depending on which part of my body I am treating. Trap the area in pain with the electrodes. You probably know all of this-I am just trying to think what could help. My tens unit can really calm down an area- but when my back pain is really out of control the tens will make it worse, other times when the pain is less the tens feels soothing.

I have a tens unit and absolutely love it!!!

My insurance had me rent it for 6 months for a nominal fee before they paid for it. I suppose this is to make sure it is something that will work out and be beneficial before they commit.

Let me tell you...no one is taking my tens unit away!

Thank you all for your replies. I went to a neurologist for the arthritis in my spine and told him about the tens unit. The one that I have is a thick belt with the electrodes attatched. It is specifically designed for the lower back. I told him I thought the unit made my pain worse. He didn"t think so. So here I am afraid to try the unit again. I'm just wondering that maybe it works for the FM pain, but not the arthritis. I do have another appointment with him next week and he asked me to bring the unit with me. Here's hoping we can make some sense out of this. It just seems as soon as I think I can get some relief, it just doesn't happen. As I'm sure you all have the same problem. I have too many side effects from prescription drugs, and thought this would help. Oh well. Thank you all again. xxxooo

I have tried the tens unit and it's pretty Ok. I prefer acupuncture for pain relief (even though I am terrified of needles) and I get better results from it. When I would be hooked up to the tens unit my PT would put the heat pads on my back on top of the electrodes it was super relaxing. Maybe try that? Or maybe it's just not for you. If it doesn't help I wouldn't do it.

I love the tens! I had to send mine back, due to insurance issues. But my physical therapist hooks me up to their unit with heat, after our sessions. I have found it very beneficial. Sometimes I am a bit more sore right after, but the next day I feel better.

I went to a chiro for pain relief from sciatica (he said it was a pinched nerve...bulge at L-5 or -3 or -4???) Anyway, after 12 visits, I didn't get any relief EXCEPT from the TENS. He 'loaned' me one to try. It helped while it was on. You can set it for 15 or 30 minutes or you can set it to stay on.... I ordered one through Amazon. It was $26.94 (free shipping). The only other expense is stocking up on 9 Volt batteries. Still cheaper than many of the meds that have been tried and failed.