I posted earlier in the week about the chest pain issue. Went to the RD on
Mon. and received cortisone shots in the sternum, upped the pred, and
was prescribed Lortab. I am to continue the Ultrasound for the chest wall
inflammation and he added a TENS unit.
Well, I have never used a TENS unit before. I had PT today and she taught
me how to use it. That will be a godsend. It can be used anywhere that I
am having pain. The chest is such a big issue cause there is no way to
avoid breathing obviously. I have been having a real hard time projecting
my voice in the classroom. So, I can use this when the muscles spasm
along the sternum. The RD also mentioned my knee and right shoulder.
Whoo Hoo. The PT bills insurance and now I have it here at home. It looks
like a pager and you attach the four electrodes around the area that
hurts. Basically, the pain signal is a slow one. This creates implulses that
should get to the brain ahead of it. She said it will do nothing for
inflammation-that is why I will have the ultrasound.
The only negative is that the PT noticed that the base of my neck is
inflammed down through the shoulder. We are hoping that it is because I
have been carrying myself oddly due to the chest/rib inflammation.
Hopefully the TENS will help me carry myself the correct way. I have been
relying on Lortab in the morning to get through the day teaching. I hope
that will no longer be the case. I have to return to the RD in a few weeks
anyway for my remicade and a blood pressure recheck. It has been really
high the last few visits but he is sure it is due to discomfort.
Hopefully I will also be able to reduce the pred. I have been fighting that
forever as many of us have. Opthomologist feels that I will always be on a
small dose due to the eye inflammation (scleritis). Under 5mg is where
the RD wants but I would like off it totally. If I must-I will stay on 1mg.
Yeah for the doc!!!
BeckyOMG, injections into the sternum? I cannot imagine what that was like.
Good luck with the TENS. They work pretty well for many people. I tried
one for my headaches but didn't have success. But they are a pretty kewl
idea for back and neck pain.
I had a TENS tx at the rheumy yesterday for my and it was just ohhhh ahhhh when it was done. I had not seen my knee with such little swelling in a long time. I need one of those for home. Wonder if I can get my ins. to pay for one. They will not replace my knee until RA under control and my rheumy doesn't want anymore damage done to it. Hmmm. I will call Monday and find out. Welcome home gramma. Most insurance companies pay for them. I know
mine did. They are pretty commonly uses and widely accepted amongst
providers. Good luckHi all, please tell me What is a TENS, thanks, Sarah
A TENS machine (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) machine is for reducing pain in areas where you place little sticky pads attached to wires, these wires come from the machine which send electrical currents to the pads.http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/23069069/
I have a tens and it is really great, just dont touch the pads with your finger tips when it is onThe PT showed me the insurance paperwork. The one I have is over
0. I can't imagine getting one if it wasn't covered.
I am hoping that it makes a big difference in the rib area. If any of you
haven't taught kids to dissect while taking pain meds-it is quite an
experience!
I wish I could get a home ulrasound maching too and that way I would't
have to keep going to PT. Unfortunately, with the shoulders acting up-I
can't make the round and round motions endlessly.
I hope you are all having a great day. It is saturday so that automatically
makes it better than yesterday!
Becky
Did your doc say anything to you that the chest pain might be costochondritis (sp)? My JRA girlie has had it and it is very painful in the chest area. It is a common spin off from the RA. He said it is Tietze's sydrome. The only difference from Costo it seems is
that there is visible swelling. I have had it called Costochondritis in the
past by my primary doc.
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com