General Disability Lifestyle

Posted on: Thu, Jul 24 2008 9:34 PM

Posted by: PaulaO Posts: 21

I'm about to go to a conference in Phoenix next Wednesday. All was well until I woke up with excrutiating pain in my right hip. I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Hypermobility Type so waking up with different aches and pains is not a new thing.

Anyway, I am still trying to find out how to calm it down and started trying the TENS unit on it tonight. Not too bad. Sitting is the most difficult. And I'm about to sit on a plane for 4+hrs next week. I was going to include it in the mail-it-ahead box. I'm glad I didn't mail it yet! But now I am wondering if I will have to be wearing it.

Anyone wearing one make it through security lately? I did a Gooogle search and came up with some old threads in old boards here and in the UK but nothing more recent than early '06. I also searched through the TSA website and all sorts of medical gadgetry is listed, but not one with gel, electrode, and a little digital box that looks like a timer or detonator. But then, when I flew to Orlando last year, they swiped my CPAP for explosives but never opened the bag with the charger inside.

Posted on: Thu, Jul 24 2008 9:56 PM

Posted by: elainehous Posts: 60

 I also have EDS hypermobility type. I have never worn my tens through security, have always put it on after as I mainly use the TENS on my wrist. Then I just use it on the ground and when they clear electronics in air as I don't need mine constantly especially if I am not doing much. The TSA website says this about TENs which is not at all specific:

• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator (TENS) and other exterior disability and medical related devices are allowed through the security checkpoint once they have been screened.

Posted on: Thu, Jul 24 2008 11:07 PM

Posted by: PaulaO Posts: 21

 Thanks! Why didn't that show up on my search? Arrgh.

The problem is that I need it on my hip, not an easy place to put on once in flight. So I'm not sure how to go about having them check it without having me strip.

I wish I knew what I did to it. I'm still working on gettting the pain level down so I can evaluate. Isn't EDS a blast?

Posted on: Sat, Jul 26 2008 11:33 AM

Posted by: elainehous Posts: 60

If it is possible could you put the tens unit on in the bathroom once you get through security? If you have a standard unit with leads and such you could put it on in the airport. Then if it is clipped  to your belt or something you could turn it off when you are required on the plane and turh it back on when electronics are allowed. 
I now the feeling of wishing to know what you did. For me it is even more complicated as I have Adams-Oliver and Larsens Syndrome also. Right now I am recovering from ACL surgery as I tore my ACL back in the fall. 

Posted on: Sat, Jul 26 2008 1:56 PM

Posted by: PaulaO Posts: 21

 The pain has been subsiding a little more each day.

My right hip/iliac has been problematic for a very long time (surgery to remove a giant cell tumor when I was 14 caused some major scar tissue). I "catch" it a lot; something in there gets pinched or irritated or something. I can now lift my foot (like I am doing a high marching step) quite a bit before it hurts. I'm doing some basic exercises, taking muscle relaxers (Skelaxin to the rescue!), and not pushing myself. If it is still hurting Wednesday, I'll take it with me and put it on in the bathroom. That's a great idea, actually. Duh.

Posted on: Mon, Jul 28 2008 10:49 AM

Posted by: PaulaO Posts: 21

 The pain has diminished to a dull enough roar that it isn't any more noticeable than any other pain. Rest and the TENS unit helped the most.

I decided to mail the TENS to my destination rather than take it with me. I put everything together and it was just too much. So my TENS, meds, camera, hard drive, and a few odds and ends were mailed today. My laptop, AlphaSmart Dana, and personal stuff will be in one bag and my CPAP in another. That way I only have two bags to deal with onboard. The TENS with its cords and patches just added too much to the laptop bag and the Dana wouldn't fit in the box, dangit.

But at least now I know how to take the TENS onboard with me if I need to in the future. Thanks for your help!