After almost a year,of being injected with Velcade, I still have neuropathy in the balls of my feet and toes. I recently read an article about TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation).
Has anyone tried this?
I refuse to give up on getting some feeling back, and it seems like a good idea to me, to get those nerves firing again.
If anyone tried this therapy, please share.
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Re: Has anyone tried TENS therapy for neuropathy?
My problem is TOO much feeling in feet. They friggin hurt all the time. I think I would prefer numb.
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ashlen1
Re: Has anyone tried TENS therapy for neuropathy?
I agree with ashlen1 -- I wish I could feel my feet less.
My wife has fibromyalgia and used TENS. Said it did not help at all.
My wife has fibromyalgia and used TENS. Said it did not help at all.
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Nipon Ginko - Name: Nipon Ginko
- Who do you know with myeloma?: ME
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2004
- Age at diagnosis: 66
Re: Has anyone tried TENS therapy for neuropathy?
I appreciate seeing this issue addressed in the forum, whether or not there are any answers. Anything anyone has to say is of interest. I respect hearing Don say that he refuses to give up.
After 8.5 years of multiple myeloma treatment, my husband's only continual complaint is neuropathy. He has lost feeling; when you cannot feel your feet, your sensors are gone, balance is gone and walking is so difficult. He finally gave in and obtained a handicap tag, but it is hard to get him to use it.
I've not heard of "TENS", but we will try anything. A local medical doctor left his hospital practice and opened an acupuncture clinic. We are going to try that as well. I have two multiple myeloma friends who take gabapentin [Neurontin] or Lyrica [pregabalin] and find relief, but I think my husband is beyond being helped by medication. It is hard for him to describe what it feels like, but I think he is past the pain stage. He has to walk very slowly, placing his feet farther apart in a widened gait in order to maintain balance. One Beacon poster recommended a shoe called Sanuk Chiba Sidewalk Surfer.
I wish I had better answers. Just a little commiseration helps. Good luck all.
After 8.5 years of multiple myeloma treatment, my husband's only continual complaint is neuropathy. He has lost feeling; when you cannot feel your feet, your sensors are gone, balance is gone and walking is so difficult. He finally gave in and obtained a handicap tag, but it is hard to get him to use it.
I've not heard of "TENS", but we will try anything. A local medical doctor left his hospital practice and opened an acupuncture clinic. We are going to try that as well. I have two multiple myeloma friends who take gabapentin [Neurontin] or Lyrica [pregabalin] and find relief, but I think my husband is beyond being helped by medication. It is hard for him to describe what it feels like, but I think he is past the pain stage. He has to walk very slowly, placing his feet farther apart in a widened gait in order to maintain balance. One Beacon poster recommended a shoe called Sanuk Chiba Sidewalk Surfer.
I wish I had better answers. Just a little commiseration helps. Good luck all.
Re: Has anyone tried TENS therapy for neuropathy?
I only have MGUS so I cannot speak to the horrible pain of myeloma.
I do have pain and neuropathy. I have been on gabapentin for a few years now for pain stemming from a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. More recently with the neuropathy and leg pain, the neurologist recommended an increase in the gabapentin. I think it helps, but it is not a panacea. For me, very gentle stretching and trying to not stay in one position too long has helped.
I still have a lot of pain though. I also found out my vitamin D was quite low so I was given a prescription for the vitamin D. I now take OTC vitamin D but, if I skip it, my symptoms seem to be worse.
I know my situation is not the same as others, but I just wanted to chime in on the gabapentin. I certainly do think it helps a bit and it's non-narcotic, which is an important factor for me.
I have done TENS in the past and it did not help.
I do have pain and neuropathy. I have been on gabapentin for a few years now for pain stemming from a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. More recently with the neuropathy and leg pain, the neurologist recommended an increase in the gabapentin. I think it helps, but it is not a panacea. For me, very gentle stretching and trying to not stay in one position too long has helped.
I still have a lot of pain though. I also found out my vitamin D was quite low so I was given a prescription for the vitamin D. I now take OTC vitamin D but, if I skip it, my symptoms seem to be worse.
I know my situation is not the same as others, but I just wanted to chime in on the gabapentin. I certainly do think it helps a bit and it's non-narcotic, which is an important factor for me.
I have done TENS in the past and it did not help.
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Toni - Name: Toni
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self - MGUS
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: Has anyone tried TENS therapy for neuropathy?
Hi everyone
I have searched the forums and found the posts above, but there was not feedback on this subject. Maybe this changed.
My sister is now in hospital for the second round of inpatient chemo. She was offered to participate in a small trial to check if the TENS unit works for pain relief, specifically in multiple myeloma patients. She has a lot of bone pain, but no peripheral neuropathy from chemo yet. The trial is for both types of pain.
My sister decided to participate, but now is worried about the safety of the unit in patients with cancer. I have searched online and the information is conflicting. There is a trial in the UK as well to investigate this, but I cannot find the link now. I think it is still ongoing. My sister is in Russia and it looks like this is just a small local project they are running.
Anyone has experience of using it? What do you think about safety (the concern is that it might intensify the cancer in some way - is it a rational concern?) Any thoughts?
I have searched the forums and found the posts above, but there was not feedback on this subject. Maybe this changed.
My sister is now in hospital for the second round of inpatient chemo. She was offered to participate in a small trial to check if the TENS unit works for pain relief, specifically in multiple myeloma patients. She has a lot of bone pain, but no peripheral neuropathy from chemo yet. The trial is for both types of pain.
My sister decided to participate, but now is worried about the safety of the unit in patients with cancer. I have searched online and the information is conflicting. There is a trial in the UK as well to investigate this, but I cannot find the link now. I think it is still ongoing. My sister is in Russia and it looks like this is just a small local project they are running.
Anyone has experience of using it? What do you think about safety (the concern is that it might intensify the cancer in some way - is it a rational concern?) Any thoughts?
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Gala - Name: Gala
- Who do you know with myeloma?: sister, LgA-k
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 48
Re: Has anyone tried TENS therapy for neuropathy?
Here is a link with information about the trial I referred to. It was not specific to myeloma, but rather for bone metastases for other cancers. It is still interesting and, I think, relevant.
The trial was completed in 2010. They mention that it was difficult to recruit and I wonder if other patients might have this (rational or not) perception of TENS being controversial in terms of how it affects the actual cancer.
The trial was completed in 2010. They mention that it was difficult to recruit and I wonder if other patients might have this (rational or not) perception of TENS being controversial in terms of how it affects the actual cancer.
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Gala - Name: Gala
- Who do you know with myeloma?: sister, LgA-k
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 48
Re: Has anyone tried TENS therapy for neuropathy?
Greetings:
I've used a TENS unit for several years for back pain and it's a Godsend. However, I'm a bit hesitant to use it for the neuropathy in my feet. Applying added sensation down there sounds frightening.
I wish you well.
I've used a TENS unit for several years for back pain and it's a Godsend. However, I'm a bit hesitant to use it for the neuropathy in my feet. Applying added sensation down there sounds frightening.
I wish you well.
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Brinkur
Re: Has anyone tried TENS therapy for neuropathy?
I use a machine called Rebuilder. It was recommend to me by my oncologist. I was able to use it for several weeks before purchasing. After the first treatment, I felt the difference. I use it nightly and have stopped using gabepentin. Lyrica (pregabalin) did not work for me. I am not familiar with TENS, but think they work similarly.
My feet bothered me to the point shoe selection has become very limited for me to find one comfortable. For sneakers, I found a local sports / running shoe store who listened to what problem I was having and brought out selections for me to try on that had stability soles to help with balance and comfort. I would recommend looking for this type of store if you are having problems finding shoes.
Rebuilder has a website you can look at and I was given a coupon from my STARS rehab center for a discount for mine. It's not covered by most insurances.
My feet bothered me to the point shoe selection has become very limited for me to find one comfortable. For sneakers, I found a local sports / running shoe store who listened to what problem I was having and brought out selections for me to try on that had stability soles to help with balance and comfort. I would recommend looking for this type of store if you are having problems finding shoes.
Rebuilder has a website you can look at and I was given a coupon from my STARS rehab center for a discount for mine. It's not covered by most insurances.
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Music box lady - Name: Margie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Has anyone tried TENS therapy for neuropathy?
As a retired physical therapist, I have found that TENS works best for pain relief rather than peripheral neuropathy.
My husband does not have multiple myeloma but has back pain and neuropathy. The TENS helps with his back pain but does nothing for the peripheral neuropathy. He has used gabapentin (Neurontin) and not Lyrica (pregabalin) for years to help with his peripheral neuropathy.
That being said, I say anything is worth a try. It might work for you.
My husband does not have multiple myeloma but has back pain and neuropathy. The TENS helps with his back pain but does nothing for the peripheral neuropathy. He has used gabapentin (Neurontin) and not Lyrica (pregabalin) for years to help with his peripheral neuropathy.
That being said, I say anything is worth a try. It might work for you.
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torimooney - Name: tori
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: apr 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 64
10 posts
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