Hi I went for a FES assessment and have been told they think it will help my walking and and have booked me in for training. I am hoping for some advice really. Having tried one out yesterday it does help me pick my foot up better but ooowwww it hurts. They said you get used to it over time and my question is …do you? And if you do how long did it take you to get used to it? I am going to give it a trial as I posted about it before and got lots of positive feedback about how helpful folk have found it…just hoping to hear whether you found it tricky to start with and it got better with time? Thanks Mish x
The real expertise can be found at Salisbury Hospital and it might be worth asking them for an opinion
Hi Thank you for your reply. I will follow link and have a look. I went to The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London. They were very informative and thorough. Just was wondering whether folk had found that they did get used to the sensation over time or not? Mish x
I have used a fes for a dozen years, but never experienced the problem you describe. My guess (and it is a guess) is that it may be turned up too high, because the electrodes are in the wrong place. Hopefully, you will get a decent answer and benefit from this clever bit of kit.
Hi Thank you. Hopefully all be ok once I start using it.
Just one other thing you might want to try, Mish… …
Normal setup has black lead to the upper electrode and red lead to the lower one.
If I do it that way it hurts, change them over and there is just some discomfort (until its time to change the electrodes).
Geoff
Hi Mish
Some people are more sensitive than others to the FES. It’s not for everybody.
However, it’s worth persevering to see if you can get used to it.
I unfortunately couldn’t get used to it and abandoned the attempt. I also found I didn’t get a huge improvement from using it. But for some people, who I know that are able to use it, it has really improved the quality of their lives.
As you’ve said it helped you pick up your foot, I would persevere.
Good Luck!
Anne x
Hi Mish I’ve had mine for 3 years. Would not be without it now - it saves so much energy and I can go further for longer wearing it. However at first I loathed the hideous contraption, difficult to place electrodes, wires everywhere, not to mention the bulky box - all very last century technology and appearance. Oh and what to wear and suitable shoes…Not forgetting the sensation of the buzzing on the skin… But as I said 3 years on I would not be without. BL
l am waiting for an appointment for an assessment for a WalkAide- its been 10 months and l have still not heard anything.
Just hope l do not break anymore bones - already fractured my ankle after tripping.
Thank you for your replies. I think knowing how difficult it is to get help like this, I have to give it a try. Space jacket - appointment times are awful! It took me a year to get physio appointment and has taken another six months to get to be assessed (from his referral) for a FES gadget. Then I only got that because he knew where to refer me as there is no funding locally for this equipment. I do hope you get an appointment soon. I would definitely chase it to make sure you have not been missed. Mish x
Hi Mish I’ve had an FES for more than ten years now. It helps e so much that I put any discomfort aside. Over time you will feel when you have the electrodes placed correctly. Even now it still takes a bit of trial and effort to get them exactly right and when they are not in quite the right place if feels very uncomfortable. Also, if the devise is turned up too high, that adds to the discomfort. The sensation isn’t particularly pleasant but not unpleasant either. I think a person who could walk normally would find it very unpleasant tbh. To me it is a god send and I just put up with the sensation, I notice it of course but it’s fine. Btw , not sure if I agree with Geoff about the placement of the black and red electrodes. I have the black one lower down which I was led to believe was the normal position bu no matter, they will try everything to get it working as well as possible for you. Give it a fair and honest go and see what you think.
Hi Mish,
Been using my FES device for over 2 years so far and it makes a big difference to how well I’m able to walk. It helps to combat the effect of foot-drop and improves my walking balance & speed more than enough to notice the difference when it’s not attached !!
By the way, I was also shown that the ‘black’ lead should be connected to the upper electrode - so I always think of a 1971 movie “2 Lane Blacktop” as a constant reminder !!
Dom
This site details the various electrode positions.
http://odstockmedical.com/sites/default/files/electrode_position_revision_0.pdf
It has been really good to hear how much it has helped everyone. I have only had one experience of it at my appointment so far but hopefully when I go back to pick it up and have training I can get the balance right in placing pads and strength of pulse…so to speak : ) Thank you Mish x