Pain pump installed!

Congrats on the pump! Yes, I did have swelling which went away as more time went by. I am guessing your pump has pain medication in it now? If you are sleepy all the time, this could very well mean the setting needs to be reduced, you are getting too much pain medication. If this continues when you see your PM dr you need to let him know. Do you have any idea what medication was put in your pump & the dose you are receiving in 24 hours? You can ask for a print out every time the pump is adjusted. Some drs leave saline in them until the first post op visit. Each dr is different. I did not have a binder either time. Are you in a binder? You are still fresh from surgery after just one week, it will get better.

Take care.

Taller Now:
A Velcro-closure lumbosacral binder can be helpful by providing an inward pressure gradient to the abdomen when healing. It provides a “hug” that gives a true beneficial compression to support the newly implanted pump as well as a proprioceptive sense of security. I would give a lumbosacral binder a try. Wear the binder when you are upright/vertical. You can take it off when lying down.

If a lumbosacral binder feels too constructive to you, a “belly band” would be another option. Belly bands are frequently worn by younger-aged women which they pair with a high-waisted shirt or camisole. Target and Kohl’s carry inexpensive belly bands marketed to teenage girls and younger-aged women. More typically, belly bands are used by women during pregnancy to support their growing abdominal girth.

A pair of high-waisted underpants (full-sized brief) made of stretchy Lycra or spandex can also serve the need that you are looking for. A full-sized brief with a compressive front panel - like Spanx brand - would be another option.

Your abdominal distress post-surgery for placement of your pump is not dissimilar to what people experience with open incision abdominal surgery. Bloating, fluid retention, internal rib pain, a general sense that internal organs are somewho going to fall out. I have an ileostomy and your symptoms are similar to what I experienced with a new stoma. I used a compresssive belly band for support during the early healing period.

I am a dedicated customer of ostomy undergarments made by a small company in England, called ComFizzz. You can look at their product offerings to get a feel of options for support. You need not have an ostomy to benefit from ComFizz support garments. Google, “ComFizz.” Or. www.comfizz.com

Best wishes for health and well-being with the pain pump,
Karen

Seashell,
Is your Addison’s disease what has caused most of your issues?
TN

Thanks Susie,
I think I usually do sleep a lot for the first two weeks post op. My pm says I am very sensitive to meds. I am going to cut back more on my oral morphine today, see if that helps. Good to know six weeks out I will be a bit more used to this beast in my belly. It took me while to get used to the metal in my neck / throat, and adjustment in swallowing.

Today is a reminder that the pump helps my pain but not the nerve damage. My leg pain is not too bad but my left leg and foot are numb and having a hard time walking, which is a normal thing for me - but episodic in nature.

I have made a point of walking at least three times a day. We have property so I walk out to our shop and back which is at least 400 feet each way. I also took the dead blossoms off my rose bushes and even swept the floor (carefully). The day before yesterday I was up all day (straightening the house and visitors) and that really pooped me out and increased my pain. But I am making progress each day.

The good news is that so far it has reduced my pain to tolerable levels and if it stays this way it will be a huge blessing! I will be able to go out to dinner, shopping, or other normal activities that most people take for granted! You all here (Susie, White Beard) were instrumental in helping me move forward on this pain pump, thank you! Bless you!
TN

Post op wise it took me 6 weeks to start feeling better. As far as the pump itself goes, everyone is different as to how they react having the pump. I found that as more time went by the less I paid attention to the pump being there. My first pump was a Medtronics, it was not all that big. They do come in various sizes. The 2nd pump is an old Codman, this was the only one the PM dr then would have implanted in her patients!! They are old school & out dated, drs hate them, there is not one modern feature about them. My PM dr told me that Codman went out of business some time ago. This Codman is bigger & does stick out more. But since I wear loose shirts including t-shirts you cannot see it. I am short & have to be careful getting things out of the back of the washing machine. I have to tippy toe, so yes, I have hit it a few times against the side of the washer. It smarts & lets me know I hit it, lol.

Whatever you do, do not forget to discuss with your dr about using your PTM. If you were not given it in a box at the time of surgery, then your PM dr has it at his office. The PTM will be used for break through pain instead of oral medications. He can program it for you.

Taller Now, just checking to see how you are doing. It's been almost a month since this thread was started. I hope you are doing well. Please let us hear from you.