My story after all these years/ update/02/03/18 back surgery yesterday

[Alchemist]

Alchemist, I looked at the Web site, at that price I hope that the VA pain clinic  takes a look at that!  

I totally get the tens unit theory and the last thing I want is more numb skin! I also can't stand to feelings the tens give you very long, sometimes ten minutes is it.

Bob

Bob,  It's important to understand that this is very specialized frequency and so on.  It is used to go from feet to cord and back or hands and cord and back.  It isn't TENS used in the usual way or anything.  It is combined with EMS signal and both microprocessor controlled.  It is quit different.  I find a plain TENS to be worthless.  I wouldn't use one that was free much less buy one.  My partner with a failing fusion in her neck and the adjoining sections going bad, it is helping her pain too.  The EMS will help keep muscle and can be used separately or switched to in the middle in the more flexible unit.  This thing helped restore my nerve functions the first two times I had them.

You can also turn it down to a point that it doesn't bother you and it works. I've been at this pain thing a long time and done a lot of things that mostly didn't do any good.I wish you good luck in finding some things that work for you

[hammer]

Alchemist, I looked at the Web site, at that price I hope that the VA pain clinic  takes a look at that!  

I totally get the tens unit theory and the last thing I want is more numb skin! I also can't stand to feelings the tens give you very long, sometimes ten minutes is it.

Bob

Bob,  It's important to understand that this is very specialized frequency and so on.  It is used to go from feet to cord and back or hands and cord and back.  It isn't TENS used in the usual way or anything.  It is combined with EMS signal and both microprocessor controlled.  It is quit different.  I find a plain TENS to be worthless.  I wouldn't use one that was free much less buy one.  My partner with a failing fusion in her neck and the adjoining sections going bad, it is helping her pain too.  The EMS will help keep muscle and can be used separately or switched to in the middle in the more flexible unit.  This thing helped restore my nerve functions the first two times I had them.

You can also turn it down to a point that it doesn't bother you and it works. I've been at this pain thing a long time and done a lot of things that mostly didn't do any good.I wish you good luck in finding some things that work for you

I saved it in my bookmarks so that Debbie and I can look at it closer! 

Bob

[TooMuchBoob]

Hi Bob,
Getting old is hell, doubled and redoubled and going down.  

And Hammer:

"I finally had a new hearing test today at the VA and even I was surprised at the results of the test to see just how poor my hearing is!

Needless to say I have 2 hearing aids on order! The nice thing is that they will work with my phone in stereo, so no more need for the blue tooth, and the VA provides everything!

To both of you - yup. Oh to have my younger body back.

On top of gyno, ED, and circulation problems in my legs, I now need to get fitted for hearing aids. I was tested at the VA and found to have bilateral moderate loss - heading towards severe. >40 db in one ear and >50 db in the other (averages) . Oh, and significant tinnitus.

Reading my list of problems would lead one to think I was 80, bald or totally white hair, and using a walker. I will wear the hearing aids at home, but if they are gigantic external ones (like really old people have), I will not be leaving the house with them.

TMB

[hammer]

Hi Bob,
Getting old is hell, doubled and redoubled and going down.  

And Hammer:

"I finally had a new hearing test today at the VA and even I was surprised at the results of the test to see just how poor my hearing is!

Needless to say I have 2 hearing aids on order! The nice thing is that they will work with my phone in stereo, so no more need for the blue tooth, and the VA provides everything!

To both of you - yup. Oh to have my younger body back.

On top of gyno, ED, and circulation problems in my legs, I now need to get fitted for hearing aids. I was tested at the VA and found to have bilateral moderate loss - heading towards severe. >40 db in one ear and >50 db in the other (averages) . Oh, and significant tinnitus.

Reading my list of problems would lead one to think I was 80, bald or totally white hair, and using a walker. I will wear the hearing aids at home, but if they are gigantic external ones (like really old people have), I will not be leaving the house with them.

TMB

You think (ED) is bad if you read my entire story you'll find that I lost my testicles when I was in my 30's!

I not only use a walking inside the house and outside, when I go the stores, VA or any place that requires me to walk very far I need my wheelchair!

I went on disability at the age of 40, that sucks big time as I had to give up my construction business that was my lifetime dream in my tenth year!

Talk about being "Bummed"

[hammer]

Alchemist,
I just wanted to let you know that Debbie and I are looking at the ReBuilder 2407 and all the info on it both good and bad before we buy it, and seriously considering giving it a try! With the 60 day  money back guarantee we feel it could be worth a try, but we haven't made our final decision on it yet. We both feel that if we do buy one that it would be the the 2407 not the lesser model!

I'll keep you posted

Bob

[Alchemist]

Hi Bob,
Both my partner and I both use it for both legs and hands-arms.  We both have injuries and problems for which it is suitable.  She is finding the EMS part very helpful.  I hope it helps my atrophied muscles.  The first week or two can have increased pain as happens with exercise and the pain of returning nerve function.  We both prefer the epsom salts soak for feet and hands rather than stick on electrodes.  We haven't tried the electric socks and gloves. 

My previous 2 models were the predecessor of the basic one.  I opted for the 2407 this time (not formerly developed).  It also allows for hands and feet to be done at same time with two circuits or two of you to do feet or hands or whatever at same time.  Good luck.  60 daysa gives plenty opf time to see what the longer trial is like.  Good luck.

[hammer]

Got my hearing aids from the VA yesterday and for the first time in my youngest daughter's life I could understand every word she said to me! I'm also comfortable with them on as well, not to mention that they work great with my phone!

On another note,  I had an Xray done on my neck and I'm going in for a MRI next Friday too. In the year of 2000 I had lost the use of my left arm and through Xrays and an MRI it was determined that C4,5&6 were crushed, ruptured and herniated! It also was recommended that I have surgery, however,  before I got the surgery I was able to regain the use of my left arm again!

I have been able to get by the last 16 years without to much trouble, but I've lost straight in the arm and have had pain again! So it is being looked at again. It started when I requested either a new power wheelchair or one that I can control with just my right hand! My primary care doctor said that I need to find out more about this neck problem before they will even think about a different chair for me!  I'm not the least bit excited about neck surgery!

[TooMuchBoob]

I have had my hearing aids for a bit over a week now, and wow, what a difference! I can actually hear what the people are saying on TV. I can even hear most everything anyone IRL says.

I am still getting used to them though. They are in the automatic mode so they adjust to ambient noise levels. Most of the time this is good, but if there is something relatively loud in the area, they turn down the volume across the board instead of just reducing the volume of the loud noise.
What make and model did they give you? Mine are Unitron Moxy Fit with a uDirect device.

My next VA appointment is for an ultrasound next week and then an appointment with the vascular surgeon the week after. I am definitely hoping for better news than I got from the last 2 surgeons I saw.

TMB

[hammer]

I got the Phonak Audeo V90 312T. I didn't want anything to big in my ear canals as I can't stand that and these just have a little dome on the end of them! They seem to work great for me and not bothering me either. It is great how they give us the choice of what we want, and I was told I can come back and get something different if these don't work out!

Good luck with your next appointments!

Bob

[TooMuchBoob]

Yeah, the ones I have are probably very similar - RIC (receiver in canal), as they just have a small dome that goes in the canal. they're vented sufficiently that I can use a regular phone or headset just fine - without it going through the hearing aids.

I really appreciate the VA not going cheap - these are top of the line aids.

TMB

[hammer]

Yeah, the ones I have are probably very similar - RIC (receiver in canal), as they just have a small dome that goes in the canal. they're vented sufficiently that I can use a regular phone or headset just fine - without it going through the hearing aids.

I really appreciate the VA not going cheap - these are top of the line aids.

TMB

I hear ya, loud and clear now, lol

[Paa_Paw]

I've been following you two and It makes me feel fortunate. I have had Tinnitus since I was in my teens.   It is a constant hiss at very high frequency and mostly in the right ear.  In spite of that, I am lucky. I only have a very small loss of hearing and it is well above the pitch of any human voice.  Sometimes, but not often, I will awaken to silence.  It is rare that the hissing stops, but it is so neat when it does happen.   I will sometimes just lay in bed still and quiet enjoying the silence. The least thing will start it up again.  

[hammer]

Finally after buying a toy hauler camper in February of this year Debbie and I got it out this last weekend camping in one of Minnesota's great state forests/camp grounds!  We were totally unplugged from the world with no cell phone service, running off the 3 deep cycle battery powered system I installed instead of just the normal 1 that comes with the camper. I have installed a generator too, but mostly to recharge the battery system,  we used only the water supply on board also. It was probably the most relaxing weekend in years that we've had, and perfect timing too, just before our 29th anniversary which is today!

So much for family stuff, now for updates on health. Just before leaving I got the results of my MRI of my neck, which said I have arthritis  (no surprise) and I have pitched "NERVES", another no surprise!  The doctor, then said we can try a cortisone injection, but I've had several since 2006 in different areas from knees and back and none have ever worked,  so I've left her a message for a call back as of this morning to discuss this.

I also had a phone message to do a consult for a new power wheelchair!  So I called them back today and have set up! It's a month wait, but that's ok, the one I got is very old and is bad for my back, so I was told today that is what they'll do is fit the new chair for my needs!

If anyone ever wondered how I look at things, 

My glass is half full!

[hammer]

Due to the problems with my left side and being unable to use a manual wheelchair, the VA is providing me with a new power wheelchair!

I was fitted for one yesterday. I am getting one that will work great for outdoors being that we, Debbie and I still enjoy camping and other outdoor activities. My truck will be fitted with a lift that will lift the chair from next to the drivers set and place it in the bed of the truck and vice versa! When the time comes that I no longer can walk out to the garage, my home with be fitted with the ramps it needs to get in and out with the chair being that I'm a VA power wheelchair patient.

I know you hear all kind of negative things about the VA and how it takes care of veterans, but that has never been my experience here in Minnesota at the Minneapolis VA medical center!

I have always been proud of my service to my country, and I am proud of my country!

God Bless the USA

[hammer]

Well, the VA has determined that my hearing loss and tendonitis is related to the massive double ear infection that I had back in advance training while in the Navy that caused me to have to change my job while I was in the service as I couldn't hear the dits, and dahs, of Morris code that  was required in my job. Even as a older adult I got my Ham license by sending Morris code as I still can't hear it! So being that it was a result of the infection,  it's considered service connected and I'm now covered at the VA for the rest of my life as I'm concerned a disabled vet!

On another note,  Debbie and I were camping last weekend and I decided to sleep in my recliner as are daughter went with us and we only have 2 beds and the recliner in the camper.  Being that our camper is a toy hauler the entire back opens up and becomes a ramp to drive in whatever you want to haul in the back. My recliner is right by the ramp in back and the furnace is in the front by the kitchen and bathroom.  I decided to sleep in my clothes not knowing how well the heat would be at the back of the camper and the clothing included my bra!

Every morning I woke up feeling fantastic!  I HAD MUCH LESS OF BACK ACH, MY BREAST FELT GREAT, less soreness anywhere in my body! Pain levels were way down, And the temperature was fine in the back of the camper as well. So come deer hunting time I know exactly where I'm going to be sleeping now!

Maybe I should get rid of my adjustable bed and get a new recliner for the bedroom, as I never wake up feeling like I did last weekend from the bed!