Chronic Pain Recommendations

Hi There and Thanks in Advance for Your Help-
I have a close friend since childhood who underwent surgery about 3 years ago. It was a complicated surgery where they replaced his esophagus, moved stomach into new position, etc. As a result, he has had chronic pain since, which appears to be getting worse as time goes on (he is 61 years old). He was recently diagnosed with Lymphoma and is undergoing treatment for that, although the doctors are telling him the pain is most likely due to the initial surgery.

On the pain side he has tried most everything (acupuncture, drugs, meditation, trigger point shots, etc) and is thinking he needs to "go to the next level." So, here's my questions:

1) Pain Pump - He wants to know the approximate total cost of the pump + surgery. He doesn't have insurance and will have to pay for this out of pocket. How much does this procedure initially cost and is $700 - $1,000 per month about right for ongoing medication?

2) Pain Doctors in Southern California that someone has used and can recommend? He lives in Ventura County but can travel if required.

3) Specific Pain Doctor - Has anyone used Dr. Dale Kiker in Camarillo? He was recommended to my friend but it is hard to find any real quantitative data.

Thanks so much,
Mike

Kathy-

Thanks for your reply.  My friend was just approved for disability, but the Medicare insurance piece lags the disability and isn't effective until March 2012.  It doesn't sound like that long, but he has so much pain that it is an eternity.

Relative to other insurance, I think you have a good idea.  He had checked in the past and found that certain insurance must be granted him, although the cost was something like $800 per month.  But that would be a good start to get things moving, following by Medicare in 2012.

Mike

Hi Mike and welcome to Healing Well's chronic pain forum. I have a pump and can tell you first hand without insurance there is no way I could even afford my monthly refills. I am on SSD and have regular Medicare and then another insurance that pays a dab towards my refill. Currently, I spend $100 a month on my refills. Without insurance the cost can be anywhere from $2,500 to $4,500 for a refill. depends on the pharmacy the dr uses. Before a person gets pump implanted they must do a trial and also have a psychological evaluation. If the trial is a success then the pump is implanted. To get a pump you are talking around $100,000.00 they are not cheap. If your friends Medicare is going to be in effect in 2 more months he is much better off waiting and uses his Medicare to get what care he needs.

Perhaps you can get your friend to come here and visit with us.Take care.