Problems using "Walk Aide" device

[dumpling]

My sister has MS. She is trialing the Walk Aide and has gone for 3 "fittings" to pinpoint the correct area to place the stimulator. It works fine while she's there, then she takes it home and claimes she gets a strong, shocky jolt when she tries to use it, even on the lowest setting. Has anyone experienced a similar problem?

[david333]

hi
i think she is not using it properly,otherwise no such equipment gives a shocky jolt especially in the lowest setting, wherever she is going to get that fixed, she should handle that equipment herself there.

[MSmom]

My sister has MS. She is trialing the Walk Aide and has gone for 3 "fittings" to pinpoint the correct area to place the stimulator. It works fine while she's there, then she takes it home and claimes she gets a strong, shocky jolt when she tries to use it, even on the lowest setting. Has anyone experienced a similar problem?
I have MS and I also had a severe reaction to the WalkAide device. It worked well for about 2 months. I then developed a skin reaction under the electrodes. After that I started experience severe "stabbing" pain with each step I took even with the device turned down to its lowest level. Even then it didnt always work. Sometimes it wouldn't pick my foot up at all. I would go to take a step and almost fall. I returned to the supplier several times with my concerns. I left the device off until my leg healed. They tried different electrode coverings and programmed another device in their facility for me to try while I was there. Nothing helped. After that, they avoided my calls. I am stuck with a very expensive device that I paid almost $5,000 for. -- MSmom

[nsb777]

Can you tell me which clinic or practitioner you had the experience with and did they ever refer you to the manufacturer for help? I've been considering the device too.

[chrishadms]

I actually do some stuff with Hanger and had the same issue she had. What she needs to do is put a line with a black marker on her leg and one on the Walkaide cuff itself. I put one right by the unit, and a second one back by the back electrode. Then I have 2 lines to line up for my sweet area. Also I suggest you circle the outline of the electrodes on the inside because when you change them you want to make sure to put them in the same place.

I have actually heard of people having a small tattoo put there to eliminate the need for the marker. I just don't want another tat! lol

[zenhead]

i've been working with hanger, trying out the walkaide, and i am a little concerned to hear that after a little while, it doesn't work so good - seeing as how it costs $4500 with a no return policy. i am concerned that after some period of time, it won't be as effective.

[Zroger]

I got my walkaide about first of February 2009, I had the same experience with rash under the pads causing stabbing pain described by "MSmom", letting my leg heal solved this problem, however the device has helped me a lot,I no longer use it as I walk as well without as with. And the longer I go without using the better my gait becomes...

[langford]

I have MS and tried the Walk Aid devise in May. I was able to keep it for about a week and used it when my husband and I went to the Jersey shore. I felt it worked great and would like to buy it but my insurance won't cover it and I don't have $5000 to shell out. Any advice on how I might get help paying for this?

[MSmom]

My Walkaide devise was most definitely in the right place! I knew exactly where to put it! I had been doing it every morning for 2 months. I had the same reaction in my supplier's office even when they placed it.

[Barbara Sutton]

I had a LOT of Problems getting my walk Aide to work properly. Took 2 years. If your perineal nerve is too close to another nerve it could make your foot go sideways , not up. Marking with a marker can help but it took a really skilled practitioner ( not any one from Hanger) to get it right and he actually spent three hours on me. Since then, it has worked much better, but it still only fires about 98% of the time, leaving me hanging that other 2%.

Has anyone had any experience using other elctrodes with their walk aide? I mean $6 per elctrode is a bit much especially when other ones on the web are $6 for 4...