Ok, so finally got given my PACE Odstock and thought it would be a doddle to use after a long training session. If possible can I have advice off those who use one?
How do those who have one manage stairs? I feel like my leg is going to buzz off when I tried.
2nd problem, I realize how much I lean towards my good leg when I stand still, slightly lifting the one with the FES on, again setting off a big set of buzzes, is this something that my brain will retrain to stand evenly?
And third issue, I was shown how to use, adjust intensity up and down etc. and shouldn’t be able to adjust original set up by FES physio. However, wore it successfully from rehab to train station, sat down on train, set off mad buzzing as foot had lifted, panicked without my glasses on to turn it off, managed to reach settings (oops) and now I’m sure today when I tried it again, it is a far sharper kick than yesterday? Is it possible I would have been able to adjust this or just because it’s day 2 it feels harsher? I can adjust the intensity but I am going below the percentage I was advised to try to stay within.
I have used a FES for 25 years, but never had a problem with excessive buzzing and it all sounds very distressing. I did check the Odstock site, but it doesn’t mention intense buzzing on their problem solving page.
The only thing I can suggest is turning the power down to a level that still lifts the foot and see if that helps.
Your physio should be able to advise some muscle strengthening exercises to build up your weaker leg. Leading with you weak leg up and down a step might help.
No doubt your physio will be familiar with the problem and a phone call should sort the matter out. I hope so, because FES is a brilliant bit of kit.
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Thanks @whammel, I tried it again tonight and turned it down to 19 % for a bit then built up during our walk. I think I could just be very sensitive to it, but kinda got used to it as the walk went on. Not sure if I feel it so strongly because one of my permanent lasting symptoms is the feeling of millions of freezing ants sensation under the skin of that leg
Will try steps again tomorrow and try starting with left leg. At the rehab centre the FES physio has given his contact details so I can get in touch if I struggle, but I do have my Neuro physio at hospital next week (they tested FES and referred me initially) and they have asked me to wear it to appointment to check how it works on me.
I read some of your previous posts on FES and I am definitely hoping to get what you get out of it. It seems to already be straighting my ankle to lift forward now and I did just over 6000 steps without foot dropping so if I can just get used to the buzz 
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Placement of the pads can have a massive effect. I have an all-in-one wireless one but it can be a painful buzzing vibration and then working perfectly as it should with a tiny movement of the unit.
Going upstairs is always a pain as the toes pull up when stepping up and hit the edge of the step making it harder to clear it. I usually just turn it down with the remote or in the app.
Thanks @Dave1979 I think you are right on the pad placement, am trying to match to the squares that were drawn on my leg, but was slightly out (think it’s hard to judge looking out). I was warned going to close to the shin bone can cause issues. You might just have solved the issue
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Not sure if this is of any use, but deals with electrode positioning.
Microsoft Word - ELECTRODE POSITION REVISION
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That’s fab, I wasn’t aware you could also effectively swap the black and red around to change the effects.
Think I am going to experiment with the position slightly to start with. He had it quite close to my shin bone because the eversion (now know what that is thanks to document) was quite strong when positioned away.
I guess I now know why you have additional appointments at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and a year! There is a lot of technical science between this.
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I think you are spot on about experimenting, because how else are you going to find what suits you best? The top electrode needs to be accurately placed on the nerve, but the lower one on the muscle, not so much.
My first FES was set up by Ian Swain at Odstock Hospital and he was involved in the original design, so pretty confident he knew all the tricks.
Incidentally, you would need to press 3 buttons at the same time before making adjustments to the set up, so think you are safe on that score.
You have clearly got a strong support team working with you and hopefully, they can smooth out any teething problems.
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I’m glad it takes 3 buttons to reset 
I don’t think even I could do that!
Tried different positions and can feel how the slightest move over changes things!
Last question @whammel when I test my new position sitting down, my foot springs right up in the air, when I press test button standing up, it just lifts my toes, is this what should happen? This is without using the foot switch.
Sadly, I have no idea why that should happen, but when standing and using the footswitch, does it still just lift the toes, even if you turn it up a bit?
Something else to put on the list for the physios.
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It does seem to need quite a high output standing up compared to sitting down to get the foot to lift. Will definitely have to raise it with physio next week.
I think some of the problem stems from my left ankle can’t be raised up much at all, during when I had the FES fitted, they got some sort of measurement contraption out to check the maximum movement my ankle actually has and it is so very limited. The Neuro physio originally arranged an X-ray to check there wasn’t a bony block causing obstruction (there wasn’t). And also I have zero movement in my toes at all on left side except big toe.
It’s all so confusing, but hopefully I will get more guidance next week. The good news is though, I had a lot of success with the 8 strap foot lift strap, so if this doesn’t work I have something to fall back on, but won’t give up at this point.
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