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Tens unit for pain?
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Tens unit for pain?

› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › Tens unit for pain?

  • Post
    • March 13, 2014 at 1:54 pm
    mary in Rhode Island
    Participant

      Does anyone have any experience with the tens unit. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator.  I would be using it for pain other than from melanoma.    Seems like the Am Ca Society  is not indicating a contraindication but I know some oncologists are not very happy with using it.  Seems like my last hope for some relief.  If it works for me.  Was hoping for some personal feedback.  Thank you in advance. Mary

       

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    • Replies
        • March 13, 2014 at 2:29 pm
        Janner
        Participant

          I've used them many times before on MANY knee surgeries as part of rehab.  I also used them when on long drives alone and knee pain from immobility and bent knees was an issue.  For me, I can't say it was total pain relief.  However, it did seem to break the pain cycle some and make things more bearable for me.  I'm not sure why an oncologist would even care about it, but I'm also not sure it's going to do all you hope.  However,  I certainly think it is worth a try.

          Best wishes,

          Janner

            • March 13, 2014 at 4:26 pm
            mary in Rhode Island
            Participant

              Hi Janner,  It is my belief the oncologist think that the electrical stimulation might "stimulate the cancer growth".  IT is even listed as a contraindication in some tens units information.  Most of this type of warning is from awhile ago.  The American Cancer Society does not have this warning on its information. LOL, the last thing I want to do is "stimulate cancer".  But I am at that point where quality of life is important so I am going to try it  if possible.   Appreciate your answer.   Mary

              • March 13, 2014 at 4:36 pm
              Janner
              Participant

                Two of my three primaries are inches from each knee.  8 knee surgeries.  If there was something left behind, the tens unit didn't stimulate anything in mine!  🙂  I was once denied a facial at a beauty school because it may stimulate cancer growth.  3 primaries, stage I, and none near my face.  I always take these warnings like you said — done a LONG time ago.  I learned never to reveal my cancer history at a beauty school! 

                Janner

                • March 13, 2014 at 4:36 pm
                Janner
                Participant

                  Two of my three primaries are inches from each knee.  8 knee surgeries.  If there was something left behind, the tens unit didn't stimulate anything in mine!  🙂  I was once denied a facial at a beauty school because it may stimulate cancer growth.  3 primaries, stage I, and none near my face.  I always take these warnings like you said — done a LONG time ago.  I learned never to reveal my cancer history at a beauty school! 

                  Janner

                  • March 13, 2014 at 4:36 pm
                  Janner
                  Participant

                    Two of my three primaries are inches from each knee.  8 knee surgeries.  If there was something left behind, the tens unit didn't stimulate anything in mine!  🙂  I was once denied a facial at a beauty school because it may stimulate cancer growth.  3 primaries, stage I, and none near my face.  I always take these warnings like you said — done a LONG time ago.  I learned never to reveal my cancer history at a beauty school! 

                    Janner

                    • March 13, 2014 at 4:26 pm
                    mary in Rhode Island
                    Participant

                      Hi Janner,  It is my belief the oncologist think that the electrical stimulation might "stimulate the cancer growth".  IT is even listed as a contraindication in some tens units information.  Most of this type of warning is from awhile ago.  The American Cancer Society does not have this warning on its information. LOL, the last thing I want to do is "stimulate cancer".  But I am at that point where quality of life is important so I am going to try it  if possible.   Appreciate your answer.   Mary

                      • March 13, 2014 at 4:26 pm
                      mary in Rhode Island
                      Participant

                        Hi Janner,  It is my belief the oncologist think that the electrical stimulation might "stimulate the cancer growth".  IT is even listed as a contraindication in some tens units information.  Most of this type of warning is from awhile ago.  The American Cancer Society does not have this warning on its information. LOL, the last thing I want to do is "stimulate cancer".  But I am at that point where quality of life is important so I am going to try it  if possible.   Appreciate your answer.   Mary

                      • March 13, 2014 at 2:29 pm
                      Janner
                      Participant

                        I've used them many times before on MANY knee surgeries as part of rehab.  I also used them when on long drives alone and knee pain from immobility and bent knees was an issue.  For me, I can't say it was total pain relief.  However, it did seem to break the pain cycle some and make things more bearable for me.  I'm not sure why an oncologist would even care about it, but I'm also not sure it's going to do all you hope.  However,  I certainly think it is worth a try.

                        Best wishes,

                        Janner

                        • March 13, 2014 at 2:29 pm
                        Janner
                        Participant

                          I've used them many times before on MANY knee surgeries as part of rehab.  I also used them when on long drives alone and knee pain from immobility and bent knees was an issue.  For me, I can't say it was total pain relief.  However, it did seem to break the pain cycle some and make things more bearable for me.  I'm not sure why an oncologist would even care about it, but I'm also not sure it's going to do all you hope.  However,  I certainly think it is worth a try.

                          Best wishes,

                          Janner

                          • March 13, 2014 at 8:03 pm
                          POW
                          Participant

                            Interestingly, just the other day there was a post on the MIF forum entitled: "Clinical trial for neuropathy from chemotherapy". The post contains a link to an interesting article and to a clinical trial about using electrical stimulation (seems similar to a TENS unit) to reduce cancer pain. 

                              • March 14, 2014 at 1:33 pm
                              mary in Rhode Island
                              Participant

                                Yes, it sure does.  A rose is a rose……I followed the link and data is supposed to be posted March , 2014.Thank you for the info.  Mary

                                • June 11, 2019 at 1:57 am
                                bfacedon
                                Participant
                                  It’s helped me a lot but you have to buy a decent one. Here’s a review on some units that I used. Most are pretty good. https://travelerinfohub.com/healthmateforever-tens-unit-reviews/
                                  • March 14, 2014 at 1:33 pm
                                  mary in Rhode Island
                                  Participant

                                    Yes, it sure does.  A rose is a rose……I followed the link and data is supposed to be posted March , 2014.Thank you for the info.  Mary

                                    • March 14, 2014 at 1:33 pm
                                    mary in Rhode Island
                                    Participant

                                      Yes, it sure does.  A rose is a rose……I followed the link and data is supposed to be posted March , 2014.Thank you for the info.  Mary

                                    • March 13, 2014 at 8:03 pm
                                    POW
                                    Participant

                                      Interestingly, just the other day there was a post on the MIF forum entitled: "Clinical trial for neuropathy from chemotherapy". The post contains a link to an interesting article and to a clinical trial about using electrical stimulation (seems similar to a TENS unit) to reduce cancer pain. 

                                      • March 13, 2014 at 8:03 pm
                                      POW
                                      Participant

                                        Interestingly, just the other day there was a post on the MIF forum entitled: "Clinical trial for neuropathy from chemotherapy". The post contains a link to an interesting article and to a clinical trial about using electrical stimulation (seems similar to a TENS unit) to reduce cancer pain. 

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