Re: electrical stimulation

[Guest guest]

The electrical stimulation uses is different, but the kind most PTs

would use may cause a lot of damage to a CMTer. I would never recommend it.

If the nerves are already damaged, forcing them to react is likely to damage

them more.

In the past, some members have tried ES, and at first they said it was

helping, but after a few weeks or months they had a major relapse or collapse

when their nerves couldn't take it any more. Then they were much worse off

than they had been before they tried ES.

Kat

[Guest guest]

Hi there, I'm and I'm 35 years old and have had CMT since I was 9 years

old.

YES, I DID HAVE ELECTRICAL STIMULATION TOO. However it was after surgery. The

intention was to get the muscles stimulated because they had been moved around

in my body. I needed to learn how to use the muscles that were put in the place

of the ones that were wasted away.

It seemed to help. It was all part of my physical therapy. But I still have

muscle weakness with foot drop. Like you said, I think it makes a difference

when it is applied in earlier stages.

sen - Tennessee

" Mr. Bracamontes " <bracamontes@...> wrote: To any CMTers,

Was discussing with my Father the different types of testing that he has

undergone in his efforts to properly diagnose him with CMT (or whatever he

has). He said that a couple of years ago he was sent to physical therapy where

they tried electrical stimulation of the leg and foot muscles. The therapist

kept elevating the strenght (or frequency) of the electrical stimulation and my

Father NEVER felt any of it. The therapist kept asking him if he felt anything

and he kept telling her " no " . Finally, she tried it on herself just to make

sure it was working and nearly fell off her stool, so obviously it was. Is this

normal? Have any of you experienced this? Could it be that his CMT has

progressed to the point where this would be normal? He is pretty much confined

to a wheelchair at this point because he can not maintain his balance long

enough to stand for more than a few seconds without support and he just can't

seem to tolerate the braces because his feet are terribly wide to begin with and

he has had them adjusted 3 times and it still rubs sores on his feet, and as a

diabetic, this is a real no-no. Do any of you know if the electrical muscle

stimulation is helpful, at all, if done early enough? In other words, if he had

had this therapy, or some other kind of therapy earlier in his life, has it been

proven to be effective?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/30/2001 2:42:26 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

KathleenLS@... writes:

> but the kind most PTs

> would use may cause a lot of damage to a CMTer. I would never recommend it.

> If the nerves are already damaged, forcing them to react is likely to

> damage

> them more.

>

>

Kat you are so right! I have talked to other CMters that have gone from a bit

if weakness to wearing AFOS after on a few weeks of ES.

TES is the therapy we have

[Guest guest]

,

Some have promoted various forms of electrical muscle stimulation. BUT many

CMT authorities on CMT have found cases where it can actually cause more

harm for some with CMT. Your father's orthotics must not fit properly, as

they should not do that no matter how wide his feet are. There is another

option--the old fashioned metal braces that fit into a channel in the heel

of the shoe. Nothing goes into the shoe other than his foot and sock. In

fact these type of braces are often better for diabetics because there is

much less skin contact and chance for breakdown and they make observation of

the skin easier.

Lamar

----- Original Message -----

From: Mr. Bracamontes

Sent: Saturday, June 30, 2001 03:16 PM

Subject: [] Electrical Stimulation

To any CMTers,

Was discussing with my Father the different types of testing that he has

undergone in his efforts to properly diagnose him with CMT (or whatever he

has). He said that a couple of years ago he was sent to physical therapy

where they tried electrical stimulation of the leg and foot muscles. The

therapist kept elevating the strenght (or frequency) of the electrical

stimulation and my Father NEVER felt any of it. The therapist kept asking

him if he felt anything and he kept telling her " no " . Finally, she tried

it on herself just to make sure it was working and nearly fell off her

stool, so obviously it was. Is this normal? Have any of you experienced

this? Could it be that his CMT has progressed to the point where this would

be normal? He is pretty much confined to a wheelchair at this point because

he can not maintain his balance long enough to stand for more than a few

seconds without support and he just can't seem to tolerate the braces

because his feet are terribly wide to begin with and he has had them

adjusted 3 times and it still rubs sores on his feet, and as a diabetic,

this is a real no-no. Do any of you know if the electrical muscle

stimulation is helpful, at all, if done early enough? In other words, if he

had had this therapy, or some other kind of therapy earlier in his life, has

it been proven to be effective?

[Guest guest]

My RA has been very stubborn in my right foot and ankle despite all the various drugs (Humira, the dreaded prednisone, methotrexate) I've been taking. Just last week, though, my enterprising physical therapist thought he would try some electrical stim right on the foot. Maybe I'm crazy or just ripe for believing in miracles, but my foot hasn't felt this normal in months. I am thrilled. Wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience with treatment like this.

gloria