Pain relief from ghost pipe

[Auriel]

I'll have a look into them thanks

 

[sunkacola]

My TENS unit is very small, fits into a case that is 6"X9" but doesn't actually need that much space and the unit could fit into a pocket if you wanted it to. My experience was I needed to have a letter from a PT in order to be able to order one but that was a few years back and all that may have changed now if you can get one on Amazon.

 

[Auriel]

Handy having one in that size! I'll have a look around (no meds increase for me right now) trying to have (as much as I can) fulfilled life 🕊

 

[cookiebaker]

yup, mine easily fits in a pocket, shirt or pants, so easy to walk around the house while using it. mine is about the size of an older tv remote.. kinda long and thin... the newer ones are more like a blackberry or cellphone.
i use mine for muscle knots in my upper back, along the shoulder blades (severely irritated trigger points) and it does help.

I also have a theracane - mine is a smaller version of the traditional one, but very easy to use. Having a trigger point therapy workbook is also very helpful in finding those trigger points that need working on (i have a bunch, lol)

 

[JayCS]

My TENS unit is very small

Just in case anyone's interested I'm not sure if we've mentioned some of the expansions/alternatives to TENS units on the forum:
For bigger areas of the body there are conductive garments.
For smaller areas you can get a TENS pen.
For less current you can get a microcurrent unit or a tVNS unit / "Parasym" (TM) like @miamisunset's been talking about - haven't found out if there's a difference between those less current forms yet.
You can also get an EMS massage mat I know a fibromite tried but it was much too intense for them. A-reviews for at least one of these are generally unfavourable. She thought the M means massage, but it means muscle, so I'm thinking she was expecting something different.
(EMS = "electrical muscle stimulation", is praps known as a novel form of gym where you tense your muscles and they put a current thru a rubber suit you're wearing. Extremely intense. I had a voucher, it was sort of fun, like gym, but set off my seizures a few hours later. My first contact with electro"therapy". The second one, maybe similar to TENS was worse though - so people with seizures watch out. Altho tVNS is sposed to be for (as in against) seizures, which I don't yet understand.)

My experience was I needed to have a letter from a PT in order to be able to order one

Hmm, from what I've seen in posts the last ten(?) years I'd be surprised if that were still the case. Interesting. (Here we'd praps need one to get it paid by insurance, but it very probably still wouldn't be.)

 

[cookiebaker]

yeah, i would say that to have your insurance cover it, it would have to be "prescribed".. by PT, Doctor, what have you, as being medically necessary.
but they are very readily available on Amazon, and in many cases less than $50 US.

The unit i have can get pretty intense, so using caution on the settings when you start out is highly recommended. might even be worthwhile talking to your PT, Doc, or Chiro for advice on how to use it.. placing the pads, intensity settings, etc. (unfortunately, the directions that usually come with them do not offer a whole lot)

 

[magpieman]

i've used ghost pipe tincture for my pain about two years (have had fibro symptoms since childhood, was diagnosed last year) and it's helped a bit. have found it has less side effects than anything else i've tried. originally got some to help with insomnia, but have found it doesn't do as much for that.

 

[magpieman]

TENS units are amazing, would highly rec, seconding what's been said above. some drugstores also carry them- i got mine at a CVS.

 

[JayCS]

some drugstores also carry them

Hi magpieman, and welcome! Great reminder to check that too, to pick it up and also support local shops.

 

[Creola17]

I'm sorry, haven't been doing very well. Just found our my coughing is COPD and been a bit stressed out.
I originally found Ghost or Indian Pipe on utube. Then I typed it in my tablet and read everything I could find. I can't grow it here in Nevada but you can buy online. I'm sorry if you can't find it. Wish I could help everyone but right now I can barely help myself. I don't understand how doctors can leave you without help. I've given up on getting so called professional help. If anyone knows how to breath and sleep I'd appreciate the help.
(((gentle hugs)))

 

[JayCS]

I'm sorry, haven't been doing very well. Just found our my coughing is COPD and been a bit stressed out.
I've given up on getting so called professional help. If anyone knows how to breath and sleep I'd appreciate the help.

Oh, Creola, so sorry to hear that! COPD is a new challenge, or I guess the diagnosis for an old one...
Whilst I don't have insight in the condition, I do have/need quite a few breathing ideas.

Bob & Brad tout a 50$ gadget called "The Breather" - I'd prefer trying all the "COPD exercises" on youtube instead. I've had a look at 7-8, and they're all good to try for anyone. Same as all exercises I recommend us doing short stints all thru the day, like "3 minutes" every "hour".

They also recommend a "Backpod". Instead of buying that I'd use some sort of small fairly hard cushion in the same way as they suggest. I use a small spelt cushion, mainly at night, not for breathing, but for my back, but I thoroughly recommend that for anyone having a slight "hunchback"/kyphosis or feeling it might be good to get shoulders back etc. e.g. after sitting forward too long. This obviously also improves breath.

The eating (fruits & veg) & supps (anti-inflammatory) bits they suggest you'll be doing anyway, I know.

 

[cookiebaker]

I'm sorry, haven't been doing very well. Just found our my coughing is COPD and been a bit stressed out.
I originally found Ghost or Indian Pipe on utube. Then I typed it in my tablet and read everything I could find. I can't grow it here in Nevada but you can buy online. I'm sorry if you can't find it. Wish I could help everyone but right now I can barely help myself. I don't understand how doctors can leave you without help. I've given up on getting so called professional help. If anyone knows how to breath and sleep I'd appreciate the help.
(((gentle hugs)))

I also have COPD, Creola17 ... and have had that dx for a long time (since 2011).
Have they offered you any meds for it? there are several that can help you breathe better

I used Advair (used twice a day) for a long time, and it did help - with an albuterol rescue inhaler for "emergencies" (i use mostly after a major coughing fit)
Was recently switched to a new med..Stiolto Respimat - very different than the Advair.. and i like it better. only need to use it once a day, and it is easier to use
There are also breathing exercises you can do to help as well.

 

[Auriel]

TENS units are amazing, would highly rec, seconding what's been said above. some drugstores also carry them- i got mine at a CVS.

What's a cvs magpieman? I called a local chemist that stock them but they told me if it doesn't work I can't take it back (so now I don't know? ) it's this horrible electrical pain I'm trying get rid of (gabapentin helps a bit but the side effects are strong), also welcome to our forum ️

 

[cookiebaker]

CVS is a chain pharmacy store in the USA.

 

[Creola17]

Thank you all. No help from doctor, she had some young man call me over a week ago and he didn't have much information. My husband and I have searched online and ordered oxygen, a natural inhaler and the breathing exercise thing. They should be here soon. I just sit up to sleep and have to try not to get upset. (Easier said then done when can't breathe). I thought I was catching a cold and coughing alot. It's been a couple of scarry weeks.

I really appreciate your suggestions. You've been nicer to me then my doctor.
I guess when you get old (I'm 70) they don't care. Oh well