Intrathecal morphine pump

[Nitetrain]

I’ve been referred for this device by my neurosurgeon after FBS and revision surgery. Has anyone had this invasive procedure done and has it been effective? I’ve done my research but would like to hear personal experiences.

 

[Sunrise81]

I don’t have personal experience but I do know others (in person) that have had different kinds of magazines in pAin pUmps. And most have gotten great relief! I wish I had this, but I’ve also kind of glad I haven’t. My biggest concern (& fear, honestly) is the pink malfunctioning or leaking (which can easily cause an OD). So, this is usually the last resort/option. 

If you do decide to get it, please update here with your review of it. Thank you!! 

 

[Nitetrain]

@Sunrise81 I’m out of options it seems. I share your concerns about leakage or infections. I’ve spoken to many medical ppl but your the 1rst trusted person to talk to me about it. Different things can be used at once; not all mor€. That would be my desire. I will have to go through a trail period to titrate and see if it provides reliable book repair.

I will definitely keep you posted. You think I need to write my reviews in “ publishing language “ and edit my title page?

 Thanks for replying, Nitetrain

 

[Sunrise81]

I think it would be more secure to put it all in code simply so nothing pops up on g0oGl€ or any place like that. 

And yes, it would be nice if us patients were actually treated like such and people tried to fix the problem instead of masking it. Technology has come so far, yet chronic pain is still an issue. And then there’s the obvious under-pr€scribing. But I don’t know if you should consider yourself lucky or not. Def be careful with that and report things “not right” immediately. Don’t wait! This is one of those situations that, no matter what the dr says, if anything feels off, go into the ER immediately. 

And thank you for writing about how things go...once the trial period starts, or after. And good luck!! I really hope this brings you some relief!! I honestly don’t know what a pain-free day feels like anymore. 20 years of this shit (since I was a teenager), I just can’t remember anymore. 

 

[alixjones2018]

@Nitetrainmy brother has one for a FBS and he curses himself for waiting so long. It has changed his quality of life, on so many levels!

He has had several infections but as I understand it that's just to be expected.  He also is a severe asthmatic and has experienced a couple issues with blowing out abdominal muscles based on the amount of coughing he experiences, so he has had to have his moved a couple of times. AND with all that he still very happy with his! 

Not sure how much that helps since it's not first hand. He is in his mid-50s. He was a rodeo cowboy for many years and tore himself up over the years. 

I second with @Sunrise81, keep us updated, if you feel so inclined. I would love to hear how it works for you! 

 

[Sunrise81]

 @Nitetrain, I’m just curious, but what is your diagnoses? @alixjones2018, what is your brother’s? I would love to experience a better quality of life. But, alas, I will prob suffer in severe pain until I die. 

But, I am curious to know what each of you/your brother’s diagnosis is, that a pAiN puMp would be recommended. I have had a few drs recommendation one but nothing ever came of it. And, if y’all don’t mind, would you please PM me which area y’all are in (state...nothing more specific please). I’m wondering if it’s just my state that refuses to help so many chronic pain ppl. Cause the vA sure as hell won’t help anybody. 

 

[Nitetrain]

Review of Foreward  

@Sunrise81 and @alixjones2018 thanks both for taking an interest, showing concern and passing along experiences! I was pretty much pain free except for a few cervical fusions from rear-enders and sky diving accidents until one morning in 2015.  I awoke with pain in my R hip. It just kept getting worse. I spent the next year going from orthopaedic drs to rheumatologist to neurosurgeons getting repeated expensive MRI’s in the small town where I lived.

Chapter 1

Finally I drove the 5 hrs. RT to “the city “ with Johns Hopkins, several excellent medical schools w/ hospitals and was told I needed a L5-S1 fusion w/ screws & a plate. Simple procedure.  I had it done only to discover he used a PCA (patient controlled anethesia) for 24 hrs. after surgery but only oral 5mg.oxc€€ every 6 hrs. after that for pain control until discharge 4 days later!!   Brutal.....just freeking inhumane.Lesson here: ALWAYS ask your surgeon how they treat pain!!!  He preformed an anterior approach which meant I layed on my back so he cut from my belly to my top rib. Stitches not staples.  He told me it’d take a year minimum w/ physical therapy to start feeling better. After a year it was getting worse...a lot worse .  I sought out a  “revisionist neurosurgeon “@ UMMC ( Univ Maryland Med Center) who was very thorough.He referred me to a neurologist for more MRI’s , EMG’s, nerve conduction studies, CT’s & a myleogram to determine the previous surgery wasn’t healing so the screws, plate & pins were loose, moving around & shredding my nerve endings.

Chapter 2

This 2nd surgeon had to do 2 cervical laminectomies prior to revising my failed lower back surgery so I wouldn’t suffer paralysis this time from laying on my stomach so he could a lateral approach laying on my stomach to scalpel down my back (from my shoulder blades T-11 down to S-1) with 97 staples. At least I was as comfortable as I could be. After 7 days I went home instead of inpatient physical rehab. The 22 yr. old  phys. rehab person, who could be my granddaughter almost, did a reassessment the morning I was to be taken by ambulance for 2 weeks inpatient physical rehab and pain management,  “ran me through my paces” and determined I didn’t need the extra 2 weeks! #%*!@!!!  So an UBER was called and off I went,  crammed into the back seat of a teenagers’ compact car, sent 187 miles home across the Bay Bridge on the Friday before Easter weekend when everyone heads to “THE BEACH “ and traffic is hell; overheated cars inevitably at a dead stop in one of the 3 lanes heading east!!

The Novel of the Future 

I’m wrapping up this time: now 5 months later and 3 hospital stays for inflammation and the stabilized rod now feels like a fat wooden broom handle....my neurosurgeon and PM Dr. both agree this is the next thing to try. I’m set up for a trail with backloafe*n, mofhe*€n,  & maybe Catimeen?

sorry this review of a book I recently read is so long....but when I read the 2nd novella I might have more interesting things to say!!!  I’ll keep you posted!

@Nitetrain

 

[Nitetrain]

Got the pump 5 months ago. I’m still in the “very early stages” of getting the solution at a level that will provide adequate relief. It’s a slow process of increasing  amount of med in pump as well as increased solution. I’m starting to feel some relief though and have a lot of hope .

 

[Nitetrain]

Just got a refill yesterday and am still on oral meds... from insertion to 6 months had 3 doubled solutions and several increases in mg/mL

 

[Nitetrain]

Allergy to metal alloys in pump. It has to come out as well as remaining metal from 2016. Not a happy camper.

 

[Nitetrain]

Pump has to come out on an emergency basis because despite metal allergy all specialists were on board but not it’s swollen my Jeff side of body and had worsened condition . Beware make sure it’s in abdomen and not back and get metal test first.

 

[Nitetrain]

Just some advice if you’re advised to try an intrathecal pain pump: The doctor and pain management practice has to have good reviews from patients.

I’ve had continued problems with refill meds not being ordered on time and if you run out you go into w/d. Make sure your able to contact the doctor not just staff with problems. Insist on oral meds in case your refill IV meds get watlayed!!

ALERT get a metal test prior to insertion otherwise you’ll be in horrible pain and require a surgical removal.

Bloodtest for metal more effective than dermatologist putting a contact dermatitis patch test which can read negative. Blood test is ELISA and you may need to pay out of pocket but it’s accurate for metal not covered by patch test and alloys as well.

 

[Enginentheogen]

I have one and it has changed my life for the better. I could not take a shower (seriously) before the pump.

 

[Nitetrain]

I’ve been referred for this device by my neurosurgeon after FBS and revision surgery. Has anyone had this invasive procedure done and has it been effective? I’ve done my research but would like to hear personal experiences.