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Posted 11/17/2009 7:19 AM (GMT 0)
My friends here have given me new hope. I am going to try, once again, to go for the intrathecal pump to get me off my patches.

I am looking for a neuro-surgeon to do the test and, hopefully, the implant. Has anyone here had any experience with neuro's in the Phoenix AZ area. I can also go to San Diego and north to LA if that seems the answer (we have an apartment in the LaJolla area so SD would be better).

I really want to do my homework. I was checking out Dr. D. Lieberman in Phoenix but 4 of 10 reviewers are horror stories. I have lived through quite a few myself and am sure most of you have well. Finally, at the age of 55, when I see dog poop in the street I no longer step in it. So, taking the time, checking the alternatives, is what I be goin' to do!!

Thanks again all for pulling for me. Someday I hope to be able to do it for you.
Bob
Posted 11/17/2009 7:27 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Babidor:

I am so glad that you have decided to give the pump trial another go, and I'm very happy to hear that you are really doing your homework when selecting a doctor to do it.

I think Susie (Straydog) might be helpful to you in this area.

You can go to the Medtronics website (the company that makes the pump), and type in the state that you are looking for a doctor in, and it will give you a list. If I can be of any further help, answer any questions, please feel free to ask away.

Lorie
Posted 11/17/2009 7:29 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Lorie. I will go with my little dog and three friends on a yellow road to find Susie.
Posted 11/17/2009 7:32 AM (GMT 0)
She will be around before long, she's been going through a lot herself, but I am sure she will be checking up on you soon.

Lorie
Posted 11/17/2009 8:02 AM (GMT 0)
Babidor,
I was thinking about you before I signed on and was glad to see your post. I can't help with the doctor search other than to encourage you - and Lorie's right, our Straydog is a wonderful source of information. She may have suggestions on where to look. You'd think in areas like San Diego you'd have a choice of some decent docs, but even the ones with fancy offices and such aren't always the best.

Like you said, one of the things about getting older is that hopefully we learn how to walk around the poop in the street, and avoid the manholes without covers!

Keep searching!

PaLady
Posted 11/17/2009 8:12 AM (GMT 0)
What do you do with the manholes? I keep falling into them looking for poop!!
Posted 11/17/2009 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
Babidor,

I live in Phoenix, the Barrows Neurological Institute has a great reputation and highly skilled Neurosurgeons. 

On the site you can get the list of the Neurosurgeons in that group, they are part of St. Joseph's Hospital!  You can email a question and they reply quickly.

Good luck!  If you need a phone number for the group email me!  I had one of the Neurosurgeons  ut he as since retired!

XXOO
Patti

 

Posted 11/17/2009 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you. Going over to Scottsdale Shea ER for a bloodpatch. I will check Barrows when I get home. Had my botched pump test at St. Joes but my fault cause I used an anesthiaolgist rather than a neurosurgeon. Ya live (hopefully) and ya learn.
Posted 11/17/2009 2:19 PM (GMT 0)
    Good morning Bob!...I'm glad you stuck around long enough to see that we have a great number of members willing to help. I believe they are some of the sharpest people that I have ever met, and have wonderfully big hearts. Pain pumps are not my expertise at all, so I'm going to kinda set on the sideline and soak in some of that knowledge I was talking about. I believe you are in very good hands now, with the correct members to guide you in a better direction. Take care now. and it is important, and I can't stress this enough!....it is up to you, to keep us informed of your progress. You may take a few steps backwards in your treatment, and we would like to hear that as well, as when you have success. Don't ever give up, and always ask for help when you feel you need it. Probably one of the biggest things to remember, is that your making friends to last you a life time. Good Luck to you, and I will be looking for progress reports from you also. And lastly, when you see the invite for Chat night, make sure you join in! Lots of fun!.........now Scram! :)

                                  Michael

Posted 11/17/2009 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Bob... I've had a hard few days so I haven't been on the boards...I see that you posted before about your "intrathecal failure"...I haven't had a chance to go through all that thread yet. However, I just want to write and encourage you on your journey towards getting a pain pump.

I really need to get a pain pump as well. I have gone through about every pain medication there is...and my tolerance is ridiculously high towards all the oral meds, not to mention the side effects... Anyway, I had the trial done in September, 2008. The trial itself went very well. However, towards the end of it - I got a massive headache and severe neck pain. I ended up having chemical meningitis and spent an additional three weeks in the hospital. After I recovered from that - I spent the next couple of months being extremely disappointed. I had such high hopes that the pump would work, etc. Since then, I've let go of that disappointment and just think, that for whatever reason, it wasn't my time to get the pain pump. But I still hold out hope that I will be able to get the courage to do it again. I don't even have to do the trial again; when I decide to do it - I'll be going in for the implantation.

Anyway, I share this story with you...not to frighten you! - but to just say that I admire you going forward and deciding to try again for the pump. Again, I haven't read yet "what" you went through originally.....but I'm glad you have new hope and are trying again. I think it is also great that you are doing your homework and looking for the "right" doctor. As you know, it is so important - especially for a pain pump patient - to have a good doctor that is up-to-date on how the pumps work and w/ what medications, etc.

What medication did you try in your pump? I will be going w/ Dilaudid as morphine doesn't work as well for me.

Well, I have to run...but I'll read your other thread soon; I know there will be others along to encourage you as well... Good luck to you!
--Tina
Posted 11/18/2009 5:26 AM (GMT 0)
Babidor,
I see you've run into the poop vs. manhole quandry. Hmm....I'm not sure I've got that one solved yet either. The manhole is definitely more of a problem, especially if there's no ladder available! LOL

PaLady
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