TENS Unit for RLS

Have been on Mirapex 0.5 mg for RLS for quite some time.
And it used to work very well.

Lately, I have had to increase the 0.5 mg to 1.0 Mg.
Now, "augmentation" has become a real problem.

Am considering getting my Sleep Doctor to prescribe a TENS Unit to use for my RLS to be able to get completely off of the Mirapex.

What specific TENS Unit do you use for RLS?
Who did you get it from?
How many channels?
Do you use all of the channels?
Where specifically do you place the electrode pads?

Is the TENS Unit covered by Medicare?

Since I also have fairly severe lower back pain caused by lumbar stenosis & a couple of bad discs, the TENS Unit would probably be useful for that problem also.

Have you tried Neurotin? I used required forever until I found a new sleep doctor with some sense. I also take two 250 MG of magnesium citrate on the bad nights. Works like a charm.

Am more interested in the TENS Unit so I could get off of any Rx.

Stu, You might PM kteague. She has experience with this. Have you seen her video of her sleep when she had augmentation?

I do know that the TENS is covered by medicare. Usually the same place you would get walkers and other medical supplies.

TENS Units are NOT for people with de-fib units or pacemakers..... Jim

Are you sure that a TENS unit is effective for RLS? I am not familiar with RLS, but am more familiar with TENS units. TENS are usually used for relief from chronic pain for short periods of time. Are they even FDA approved for nighttime use? I don't believe that they are, and even if they are FDA approved I would be surprised if you were able to sleep with one on your legs. TENS pads are placed over a specific area that is causing pain.

There is a device called a "Quell" that is FDA approved for 24x7 usage and can provide pain relief for large areas of the body for chronic pain. I have no idea about how it would work for RLS, if at all. The Quell is designed for 24x7 usage and it automatically adjusts its output to lower levels so it can provide pain relief without keeping you awake with the shocking sensations of TENS and a Quell unit. A Quell is much more powerful than a TENS unit with a maximum output around 100 volts, which can be a big shock if not properly set/adjusted.

The Quell is an OTC device, but there is an Rx version called SENSUS that is electrically identical to a Quell, but packaged differently. (I should add that the Rx version is based on my research from a couple years ago and as far as I know is still available.)

Below is a link to the Clinicians Section of Quell's website. I recommend that you read the white papers available in this Section for detailed information. I do not think that a standard TENS unit is what you are looking for.

https://www.quellrelief.com/clinicians/

Forum member kteague has used a TENS for her RLS if I remember correctly and with good success.
I sent her a note and pointed her to your thread. I am sure she will chime in when she next gets on the forum.

I am adding this link because it includes additional non-medication options for RLS. Unfortunately, there seems to be multiple causes for RLS so what might work well for one group, won't for another.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4671777/

A little birdie told me someone's talking about TENS over here. Thanks for the heads up Pugsy.

When I experienced augmentation on Mirapex everything about my condition worsened. What had been mild RLS and severe PLMD became severe RLS and off-the-scale bad PLMD. Once I was off the med my RLS went back to being mild and the PLMD was classified as moderate to severe. For severe RLS I don't know if TENS would be of much help. I've never used it for anything besides my legs. I don't think there's much out there that can fight the power of augmentation. Once weaned off the meds - with strong emphasis on the word WEANED - there is a better chance of other meds and/or use of TENS to be more effective. I have been med free for my legs for over 5 years by using a TENS Unit for my periodic limb movements at night before bedtime for about a half hour. I was first prescribed the TENS for lower back pain, and was instructed by a physical therapist how to use it. It is not prescribed for RLS or PLMD. I just got lucky that the settings and instructions proved helpful for my legs too when used before bed. I tried placements of the electrodes all down my legs and feet and it made them worse. Anything stimulating the legs was intolerable. In conjuction with using the TENS I did work toward becoming more nutritionally sound. My experience was that the further removed I became from the augmentation the more effective the TENS became. It took a long time to change the patterns in my brain even when my legs were quieter, to relearn how to sleep. That stuttering repeat was in my thoughts just like in my legs. I found it hepful to keep the brain moving forward even during sleep. Listening to familiar soft rock oldies worked best for me. Had constant input of words without the need to be alert and listen. Sound tapes and instrumentals didn't work for me. It was a long diligent process that in the end paid off in a big way. I am on my 3rd TENS, one provided by insurance, one given to me by a forum member, and one bought off Craigslist. I wish I could tell you all about settings, but I really am just winging it myself. Good luck with things.

Thank you kteague for your response and detailed explanation of your experiences. I would have never matched a TENS treatment with RLS, but like I mentioned before, I know nothing about RLS just chronic pain. Curious: Is TENS considered standard treatment for RLS these days or did you try it and found that it helped? I would think that a TENS unit would never let a person sleep. The few times that I tried one for pain (during the day) I could not image having that shocking sensation at night.

It is great that it helps and the really great thing about TENS therapy are no side effects and no dependence issues! So hard to find relief from most medical issues these days that can pass that statement.

sptrout wrote:I would think that a TENS unit would never let a person sleep. The few times that I tried one for pain (during the day) I could not image having that shocking sensation at night.

I think she just used it for a short period of time before bed...wasn't trying to use it all night.

using a TENS Unit for my periodic limb movements at night before bedtime for about a half hour.

Pugsy wrote:

sptrout wrote:I would think that a TENS unit would never let a person sleep. The few times that I tried one for pain (during the day) I could not image having that shocking sensation at night.

I think she just used it for a short period of time before bed...wasn't trying to use it all night.

using a TENS Unit for my periodic limb movements at night before bedtime for about a half hour.

Thanks Pugsy for correcting me. I think I need a reading class, or better glasses. I do have a poor excuse though......feeling rotten today, on the way to the Clinic in a couple hours. I think I will avoid posting for awhile.

sptrout wrote: I would think that a TENS unit would never let a person sleep. The few times that I tried one for pain (during the day) I could not image having that shocking sensation at night.

I've fallen asleep with TENS on my back more than once.. the relaxation after the pain is reduced is wonderful.

Thank You Pugsy for alerting kteague of this Topic

Also, Thanks to everyone's input - Keep it coming.

I do not use a de-fib unit or pacemaker - so no problem there.

My wife has an el-cheapo 2 channel TENS Unit that she uses for her shoulder.
Bought it through a PT she was seeing. Cost about $30 +/-
Even that one turns itself off automatically after 30 minutes - so no chance of it running all night if one fell asleep.

Just this week I have used my wife's TENS for my back using all 4 electrode pads.
It seems to have done some good.

But, I can't get it to even run when the electrode pads are attached to my leg near the ankle - even though it does have an ankle setting AND a joint setting.
Don't know if it is just not strong enough to do "bones" instead of just muscle.

That is why I asked for the specific TENS someone might be using for RLS & exactly where they placed the electrode pads.

I have spent quite some time searching for reliable reviews.
The ones I find are either a particular brand reviewing its own selection of TENS & merely ranking them or the reviews are too old to be useful.