pain pumps

Hi Anthony,

Like gramps I wonder why you have'nt been more informed about this procedure and if you have had the trial yet?

I have a pump and lucky for me I have'nt had the problems that gramps has had yet I would say that my main reason for getting the pump was to stop taking all the pain meds I was on oral wise and patch wise. I've had my pump for two years (I said 1 in a previous reply, I was wrong) anywhoo where I'm going with this is that it takes a long time to tritate the pump while weaning off the other meds. For me that was 12 percocet a day and 200mc. fentnyl patches every 48 hours plus a ton of other stuff. After the first year I was finally down to 5 percocet and no patches and then I had to have another surgery. After the surgery I was back up to 10 percocet a day and 150mc fentnyl patches/48 hours. So I was back to first base. Another year later and I'm feeling not too bad and I am almost off my patches and percocet is down to about 6 a day. It takes a while is the bottom line and that is if you don't have the problems some people do.

Here is how the process went for me. My PainMngmt dr. refered me to a Neurosurgeon who explained all about the pump and showed me one and gave me a dvd to watch. Next I made an appt. for the trial. Out-patient thing where they injuect the medicine into your  spinal column and you leave a little bit later and if your anything like me it will be the best 4hours + of no pain that you can imagine. Don't expect your pump to work like this though because it won't.

 

If all goes well in your trial they will put in the pump and you will begin coming off your other meds whilethey raise the amount of medication the pump puts out daily. Mine is a constant flow that I have no awareness of when it is happening, I mean it's not like you can feel it going into your body like a shot or something. I hope I've been helpfull and if you need to know anything else please post again.

 

Oh yea one more thing my pump gets filled every few months by using a cathetar/needle thing that the dr. injects thru my abdomen (it does'nt hurt) and into a port on the side of the pump.

To turn the pump up allowing more medication thru they use a hand held computer thing with a mouse that they rub over the pump.  It's kinda cool really. Than and only sometimes you might feel a little woozy if they turn it up.

Good luck Anthony                Toritoo            (hope this isn't too much info for your needs. )

Hi cookie, The pump is all internal and the only thing that shows is a semi large bulge in your abdomen where they placed the pump. It does make clothes shopping difficult. I came here for answers to the questions you have but I also know that my pump is made by Meditronic and I am sure they have a website. It's not a cure all pain wise but it does help you get off too many meds and I think (fingers crossed) that mine is working out pretty good at last. If I can answer any other questions you can always post again. Good luck!

Toritoo

Hi Pamela,
I'm sorry you are in so much pain believe me when I say you are not alone. I think when you posted your reply you might of missed the correct forum to put it in to get the information you need. This forum is about pain pumps and I'm pretty sure you are not looking for one of those right now. As for your questions about Methadone speaking only of my own expierence I was on it years ago and had no problem getting off them and on to something else. No withdrawls, if your dr. wants to change your meds he will take you off the methadone slowly perhap while giving you something new to replace it. Try posting your questions in a forum of your own and I am sure you will get plenty of advice and encouragement that you need, we all need. I can relate to your living situation, I've been in bed for most of the last 10 years+ due to lower back pain and I could not sit at a computer either, now I have a laptop it has made my life so much easier and enabled me to reach out and not feel so isolated. Good luck with your back and I hope you have a less pain day, Pamela. Toritoo
Oh and don't worry about your computer skills we all go through periods where we can't tolerate wasting the time and effort to make sure our posts our all correct and spelled right. Everyone understands that, good luck.