Hello. I was diagnosed with Secondary Progressive MS 20 years ago; However, it was not progressing massively until I had three Covid vaccination jabs plus Covid itself in 2022 which did have a negative effect on my walking distance. I am now looking at the use of Electromuscular stimulation devices I can try myself such Revitive machine, Grounding mats and the Cionic Neural sleeve (not available in the UK as yet). I am wondering if anyone in the Forum has had any experience of such products and whether they help at all. Thank you
Hi Chris, I don’t have any of those but have been thinking about getting a Functional Electronic Stimulation device/sleeve. I haven’t tried one but quite by chance have seen a couple of people walking with them. I think that they are basically a battery pack worn around your waste with a cable to a sleeve around your calf ( that’s what they looked like to me ). A small electric charge stimulates the nerves in your calf or wherever. Speak to your MS Nurse?
Hi, I have used a FES for 2 years due to right sided foot drop. It takes a while to get used to applying the electrodes and doesn’t mean walking is perfect but is a vast improvement on dragging my useless foot !
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That is very interesting to hear. Thank you!
Thanks Jaycee I have never used one but was told it needs getting used to. I have not been assesed by a clinic as yet and we all need to be as a matter of course as I am sure we all have foot drop - my left foot in my case. I replied to Hank about where I am coming from. Reducing foot drop without wearing the elastic boot thing has got to be a plus for most of us.
Hi Hank/ What started my question was attending a webinar on the Overcoming MS site and NEural sleve was mentioned from the Cionic Company. It is not available in the UK yet as far as I know unless someone purchasdd privately from the States, so was looking for a UK user. Sucha asleeve than get the msucles strong again and eventually you would not have to wear it as much - sounds promising. I know about the FES clinics in this country and it sounds like Jaycee has what is available, which I was told years ago takes getting used to and may not suit some of us - I hoped the technology would have moved on by now. I was also looking at the Revitive machine and Grounding mats for general circulation improvement from not being able to exercise as much - again I was wondering if anyone had used them in the MS community and if they helped at all.
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Thanks Chris. I hadn’t heard of Cionic but will look up their Neural Sleev
What is available privately in the U.K. is the Exopulse Mollii Suit. It is best described as multiple tens machines with over fifty pads in a two piece close fitting garment similar to a wet suit.
It is worn for an hour every other day. It is supplied by specialist outlets and normally you would have an hours try out, followed by hiring a suit then purchase.
It is very successful for some and less so for others. It is used for other conditions such as Cerebral Palsy.
It is expensive and requires a lot of dedication to find the time and effort to use.
Thank you for thga. Sounds very unusual and certainly stimulate the muscles. I will look into it.