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Chronic pain, considering pain pump

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 5/29/2013 11:16 AM (GMT 0)

Hi, I am new this this forum
I had back surgery in june of last year - wish I never did- A spinal fusion from T10 to S1, with rodding,46 screws and anchors in my pelvis. Also had broken my shoulder prior to surgery which was operated on in Jan. more screws and pins. I was also diagnosed with RSD in 2003 after rotator cuff surgery. Now I take a myriad of medications, oxycontin 30mg, gabapentin 3200mg, cymbalta 120mg, klonipin 3mg ambien 10mg. baclofen 30mg. Anyway I have become quite depressed over 24/7 pain.. pain management dr wants to put a pain pump in - trial first if he can get into spinal column..
I am cautious about this, I have read some bad stuff about this. Is there anyone out that can give me some info on this or anything I mentioned it would be greatly appreciated yeah smhair
Posted 5/29/2013 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi lilred, and welcome to the chronic pain forum.

I'm sorry to read of all you've been through - it certainly sounds like you've had a rough road to travel.

I've had CRPS/RSD since 1999 and had a pump since 2008. Mine is primarily to deal with the severe spasms and dystonia I have associated with the CRPS, so my main drug in there is baclofen. I also have some morphine.

It's true that this isn't something to be undertaken lightly - there are lots of risks ranging from minor things through to serious infections, meningitis, even death - but the benefits for me have been enormous. The drug dose delivered is tiny compared to an oral dose and very targeted, so a./ it's more effective and b./ should have far fewer side effects. To give you an idea - my muscles were being torn apart on 60mg of oral baclofen daily. With my pump I'm on 1600 micrograms and only rarely get bad spasms.

The pump itself - is probably about 2 1/2 inches in diameter x 1 inch thick. Mine is implanted on my abdomen, and the catheter is channeled around my right side and buried into my spine. Fill intervals vary - for me it's roughly every six weeks. It's pretty simple - the doctor finds a special port in the pump and first drains the old medicine then fills it with new and reprograms if need be.

Susie (Straydog) is our real authority on pumps though - I'm sure she'll be along soon enough :)

Laura
Posted 5/29/2013 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lilred & welcome to the forum. Wow, have you really been put through the wringer when it comes to back surgery. It sounds like the drs have pretty much made a broom stick of your back by being fused at so many levels.

I am not sure what kind of bad stuff you have heard about, but I am on my 2nd pump. My first pump was put on June 2005. My battery finally went dead so I had to get a new pump. I had ran out of options & of course pumps are a last resort for anyone. I am not sure what your fears are, perhaps if I knew I could be of some help. If you will use the search feature here at the forum you will find a lot of info on pumps. Most patients have Medtronics pumps & they have a wonderful web site that tells you about pumps. Their website is Medtronics.com,check them out. When it comes to quality of life issues the pump really has given me a lot of life back. Granted they are not for everyone. It is very much worth doing a trial & seeing what kind of relief you get.

Please ask any questions you may have, if I can help you I will be glad to. Take care & keep us posted n how you are doing.......Susie
Posted 5/29/2013 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
…Hello redhd, and Welcome to the forum!

It sounds like you have exhausted most treatments for your severe back pain. There are several of us with spinal problems, and I happen to be one of them. It was just a few months ago that my Dr sent me to a specialist to see about a pain pump. While it is still an option for me, we happen to find a combination of meds that finally gave me some decent relief.

I understand your concerns about the pump, and have read many patient reports on it. The success of the pump weighs on several things, but one of the biggest is how good the pump Dr is. It usually takes a mix of more than one medication and at the right doses.

While you may find several good post on the pain pumps here, I will also mention a yahoo group, called "Pumpsters" These are patients that deal strictly with pain pumps, and the group is probably one of the largest pump discussion groups on the web. I do belong to the group and I believe others here do as well. There is oodles of good information there, and the members are more than helpful.

You will have to apply for membership, as this is a private group. It does not take too long, and all they basically want to know is that you are who you say you are.

Take care, and again Enjoy the forum!

SE
Posted 5/30/2013 6:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, thank you so very much for your input!! VERY much appreciated.
The pain is unbelievable.. woke up at 11:30.. and stayed up.. the pain in leg - neuropathic- is unreal. Actually every part of my body hurts.. including extreme headaches.
as far as the pain pump. I need relief.. at this point anything! I do have concerns and actually getting a second opinion.. But if not the pain pump I am going to be on narcotic pain medication for the rest of my life..that is something I HAVE HUGE CONCERNS about!
Thank you for the link. I would love to join,
Thank you and be well..
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