Hi,
I am a 28yo male, new to the forum, who has been suffering from chronic abdominal and groin pain(particularly in the testicles) for the past 4+ years due to a surgical mistake from an army doctor (he thinks). It has made life unbearable. Every action that requires the use of the abdomen (so basically everything), and every bump or jar causes extreme pain. I had an SCS implanted two years ago, which provides a little relief, but am still taking Exalgo ,Nucynta, Flexeril, and using Lidoderm Patches just to be able to function at a minimal level. The pain has gotten so bad that it has made walking impossible for most of the day, and I am confined to a wheelchair for about
80% of the time. I use a cane or walker the rest of the time. My wife and I recently invested in a split king, Tempurpedic style, adjustable bed, which has raised my average nightly sleep (even using sleeping pills) from 2.5 hours to almost 4 hours per night. I thought that there was no hope for any added relief, as my last pain specialist (I recently requested yet another switch in doctors, and will start with a new one in a week) stated that I have taken every narcotic and was at the end of the line in terms of pain relief. However, reading through the forum, I see that some have found relief from an Intrathecal Pain Pump. I am thinking about
discussing this option with my new specialist. I looked it up and found some information using Google, but I have a few questions for those with experience with these devices.
1) If I am able to get an IP pump, will I have to give up my SCS? The SCS does provide some relief (even if it is only from a 10 to an 8 or 9 at times), and I don't want to give it up.
2) How useful has the pump been for you? I have a 1.5 year old daughter, and I would love to be able to play with her. I haven't been able to pick her up and hold her since she was around 12 pounds. Have you found that you are able to live a life that is closer to normal having the pump implanted?
3) I take a large amount of medication throughout the day. Has the pump allowed you to curb much of your oral medication use?
Oh, and to the woman dealing with the groin pain, I keep a copy of all medical records and surgical reports close at hand at all times. What do you need to know? I have two leads going into my spine, and it took about
2 or 3 hours of working with my rep from Boston Scientific in order to get the 4 programs right where they would actually concentrate on my groin so that I could turn the device up without my abs spasming (my rep is awesome! He has even met me at my home when I have been unable to get out of bed in order to meet him). If your device is also Boston Scientific, perhaps I could give you the name of my rep, and your rep could possibly get a copy of the settings used on me as a starting point in order to better help you. If I can help, I am more than willing. I know how hard it is to live with pain like this, and how hard it is to talk to people about
it. Nobody who isn't in pain 24-7 can possibly know what it is like to try to be sociable, or avoid depression when dealing with the pain we go through. I am thankful to have found this forum and to see that I am not alone.
Post Edited (LifeOPain) : 5/4/2012 5:00:23 AM (GMT-6)