How do you keep re-using tens machine if pads are loosing their stickiness??!

[milkmummy1]

I brought a tens machine which i want to use now that I am in this prolonged unestablished labour stage at home. Id only used my tens machine for one night when already the pads have lost their stickiness and one has fallen off! The replacement pads are quite expensive at £7 a pair. What did other people do about this? I know it sounds silly question but can you stick over the top with plaster or selotape? I have a long way to go yet and need my tens! Plus im on my own today and cant get to the chemist even if i wanted to!!

you can buy just the tens gel for the pads from boots. Boots own make.

i wouldn't stick them on with plaster, added pressure might feel odd.

Yes, stick them on with tape (use that white sticky stuff that isn't quite a plaster - can't remember the right word for it). The midwives stuck mine on when I was in labour with dd as they kept falling off.

thats a good idea about the gel, also the white plaster. Im contracting every night (nothing in the day) and the midwife said it could take days til baby comes so am relying on the tens for my home pain relief. thank you!

I have a distant memory that if they lose their sticking power, wiping them over with just a damp (not wet!) cloth and allowing them to thoroughly air dry before use, as well as making sure your skin is clean and dry before application (i.e. not sweaty) can be done to 're-vitalise' them.

Please don't fry yourself though!!!

Just found this extract on which is along the same lines..

If you have a tens machine that has self adhesive pads which have lost there stickiness, it is sometimes possible to re- activate the sticky by using a small paint brush (eg from a childrens painting set) and clean tap water. paint a little on and the pad all over and allow it to sit for a few minutes the gel will absorb the water and become sticky again.
If you put too much on then leave the pad in a cool place for a while (I once had to leave over night as I was too generous with application),this can be repeated several times so you do not have to buy new pads every time they appear to dry out. Although eventually it will cease to work.
Always store the pads on the holder supplied by manufacturer. I found that using self sealing sandwich bags works well to keep them sticky longer.
I got this tip from a physiotherapist friend. I have been using tens on a regular basis for nearly ten years as I have chronic low back pain and arthritis. I have only once in ten years had to renew my pads.

Hope it works for you - am hoping to need my tens machine very, very soon!!!

good luck with the birth!

mepore tape

yes, I was going to say - micropore tape. White thin tape, can buy in first aid section of superdrug, boots etc. The hospital gave me a roll when I asked because my TENS pads kept falling off It was very helpful!

No you shouldn't stick them on with tape if the y are dry and don't have enough gel. It won't conduct the current properly and may prickle. You need to get the gel to make them work properly. Stick on with tape if they are falling off, but not if they are totally dry.

Buy replacement pads. They sell them in Boots.

what about putting a layer of a gel or oil on the pad? something that could carry the electric pulse through and keep a tight connection to the skin?

I used a Tens from a hire company called www.babytens.net and didnt seem to have any problem with reusing the pads serveral times.

HTH

Agree with most of the advice already given, in addition you can revive the tens pads by storing them overnight in the fridge. Using gel can also be effective but ensure it is specifically for use with Tens pads otherwise it may damage them. It is important to remember that the pads vary in quality so be sure to buy tens pads of good quality. My sister bought some from these guys www.hcwhealth.com and she really liked them. (If you knew my sister you would appreciate what an achievement that is!)

What causes the lack of stickiness is body oil. Gently washing the surface with dishsoap brings back the stickiness.

Tac gel is great. You can buy it from Amazon and it lasts forever.

You should not be using the TENS unit if your pregnant. This is the first thing I ask women before putting it on. It can cause you to go into labor. Next Dont use water to clean the gel pad. Even if you read that on some website. Let's use our brain and say oil and water does not mix. The reason the pads are not sticking is because of body oil and lotions. Grab some hand sanitizer put a little drop on the pad and rub it clean the body oils will come out from the alcohol and the pads will Get sticky again. The gel is just silicone and you can buy it in any home depot Lowes etc. You do not need the pad you can in fact put the electrode directly on the skin. Please never use if your pregnant you could cause contraction's.

This is a late reply but might be helpful to others yes you can clean them and please do so anyways..gel helps too. but when you really need to buy new ones..I order from alien press.com..that's also where I bought my TENS machine with 16 pads, free shipping,for 18$