United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

How young have your children been when starting estim? TES or NMES? My son is 9 months and one PT wasn't sure about doing NMES on a baby so young. Anyone start that young? Thanks.

I am wondering this too. Javier will be one in a week and I was wondering the very same thing. Hope someone answers soon. lol

there is a thread about this on the tasc network where Dr.Pape discusses that answer. www.tascnetwork.net

We use estim and TES and Douglas is one year and has been using it for a few months now... we use NT2000. It doesn't hurt Douglas... also Douglas doesn't have any sensation in that arm or hand.

Jennie

ok, so now I ask this... does a therapist or doctor prescribe estim? my dad has been suggesting TENS for months. ( he had a torn rotator cuff and spinal injury)
do you have to order the unit or can you buy it at some kind of store?

Thanks for the replies, and thanks Vanda for reminding me about Dr. Pape's site. I signed up for the one year plan a few weeks ago, but haven't started yet. I also wanted to thank you for sharing your son's story in Outreach. I read that when my son was a newborn and it gave me so much hope for him. I thought, "if this much amazing progress can be done when a child is older, then we must be able to do a lot if we are able to start now." Thanks to all the parents of older children who have paved the way for those of us just beginning this journey.

Hi,
My son Carson started his estim when he was 10 mths old. Dr. Shenque(sp) sent me a script for it and I gave it to his PT. I thought that it was going to be hard but it's not, or should I say wasn't. Now that he is almost 2yrs, we are having trouble keeping him from pulling it off. I don't think that it hurts, he just doesn't want anything or anyone including me messing with his left arm!
Good Luck, I really think that it has helped Carson.

Jamie

I did estim for a couple of months following a latisimus muscle trasfer and yes it does hurt. I am 28 years old and usually have a high tolerance for pain. I always got used to it, but it does hurt.