Pain pump trial day 3 - SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

I haven't been on here in AGES. I think the last time i was on was after my first rib bisection surgery (did nothing) in may of last year.

my trial for a pain pump started tuesday. They had to do a blood patch yestarday to stop the horrendous spinal headache i had. So Tuesday and Wednesday was not fun at all.

However, today was AMAZING! 15 years of constant pain and i mean CONSTANT pain ended about 10am this morning after they raised the dosage i was getting. i forgot what it was like to not be in pain. It's like i don't even remember how to be normal. i'm so used to battling through a work day doing everything i can to make it to the end of the day everyday and then laying down the rest of the night. that was my life for a long long time.

i still have an scs and i'm going to keep it along with the pump. They say they can do the permanent implant as early as 5/7.

anywho...just wanted to pass on some good news for once. I know this is tough but keep fighting everyone!!!

Praises
 

I love it when life takes a turn for the better or the blessed!!
May you come to know peace and joy in your permanent, VodKa!
Yup.
Mark56:hug:zz

http://dl3.glitter-graphics.net/pub/...hrho4qy6r8.gif This is FANTASTIC NEWS!!! How great of you to come here to share this with us! I remember you were having quite a rough time of it. I'm overjoyed for you!

You must promise to stick around and share how this all unfolds for you ok!!

You've made my day to say the least!! :hug:

Rae
:grouphug:

That's so wonderful and I'm so happy for you that your pain is GONE!! :yahoo:

So glad you have relief
 

So glad to read you are getting relief from constant pain. Hard to spend all day at work, to come home and recover. So familiar. Keep us updated!

Ana
 

Hi Viv- May you be blessed with less and less pain. Working can be hard. I feel blessed to be able to practice law all day, then come home worn out from the pain my SCS blocks, for it still takes a toll on the body though the mind does not register it, then add gout and denervation of my right arm to the mix, and there is pain beyond the SCS capability.... so, taking gout meds, and tolerating the rest as I am Blessed to be able to work and provide.

Blessings on you,
Mark56:hug:z

thanks everyone. getting relief from my pain has been a long journey. this all started 15 years ago. couldn't even guess how many doctor visits, procedures, tests, etc. the pump is the first thing that REALLY made a difference. i almost felt like non of this ever happened during the trial. i felt normal. my kids don't know the 'normal' me. but they're going to get introduced very soon. i can't wait for the implant on 5/15.

however...i'm having major problems with the spinal headaches. they've done 3 blood patches and i'm looking at having #4 asap. i can barely stand up the headache is so bad. not sure why they aren't 'taking'. i'm doing everything they say to do. it's getting old because i've burned up 4 vacation days already because of these stupid headaches. now if they could return my call that would be good...

Great news
 

Hi Viv,

I haven't been on the site in ages either but we're always welcome back. That's great news for you and you should make the most of it, it's all any of us want is to be pain free, I did get that after my first surgery 16 years ago and I'm praying that with a little bit more surgery to remove scare tissue, get my SCS back I'll be pain free again with my life back.

It's tough to work and be in chronic pain, well done you, what do you work at if I can ask.

Again enjoy your pain free time, I bet you have a huge grin!

All the best

Sinéad xxx:)

VodKanockers - we look forward to your surgery date! It's only a week away. :) Hope you are finding relief from headaches as well. I haven't heard of a blood patch before.
Awaiting my appt. with new pain management doc next week too.

Sophie - i work in IT. I've been at my same job for the last 12 years. hoping i can get back on track at work. it's been a struggle, recently been demoted. i just can't work the 55 hours a week my coworkers put. that doesn't sit well w/ the boss. here i am at almost 1 am working (between following up on this forum)

Ananimity - the blood patches blow. i'm had 4 and might need #5, going to avoid it if at all possible. it's an epidural of your own blood used to stop a leak of spinal fluid caused by the pump trial (or anything invasive to the spinal cord as i understand). w/o them the leaking causes absolutely insane headaches when you're not laying down. i thought migraines were bad :)

5 days until my implant. i'm a wreck. can't take nsaids leading up to the surgery or tylenol (me and tylenol don't get along very well) and my one prescription ran out and i refuse to refill it. so, i did some of this to myself. 5 long day...

thanks all for your encouragement. it means a lot!

Vod
 

All I can say regarding demotion when you have BEEN WORKING THROUGH THIS INSANITY IS AAAARRRRGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! The Pirate's call to action! Calling all SCS and Pain Pumpers for battle!! Bring cutlasses and muskets, daggers too!! Give 'em a broadside! Then away with us mateys!!

Your boss will be prayed into compassion. I mean COME ON, you are dealing with something serious here, and you are demoted because you do not keep up 55 hours while you are in Trial and experiencing SF headaches???? He needs to face our pirate squad with cutlasses leveled!!! His is conduct unbecoming!!!

Pray this guy into submission mateys, and a cutlass or two will not hurt at all!!

Once you are fitted with the Pump, Vod, you will work to reach both the proper cocktail and dosage, and then right as rain, you should be back in the saddle again. After all, much to the chagrin of a certain group of lawyers in New York, I am well in the saddle again and protecting my client from their A s s i n i n e perturbations, and I am readying a lawsuit the likes of which should strike terror into their very souls. I warned them, but they heeded not. Too bad, for I have toppled numerous others who sought to harm my clients. These will not be so hard, as they are prime for the nudge right now. Ahhhh, to be able to practice again and deliver effective counsel. Now a prayer you will also find through the pump the means to effectively provide your computer skills to overcome the baseless demotion you suffered [by the way, if your boss was informed of your disability, your surgery, your impending pump surgery, you may do well to consult an employment attorney on these points. I happen to know in many states [having been General Counsel for a very large firm] declared medically disabled workers have rights to accommodation and cannot be demoted [now that should put a bug in your ear if nothing else has- how about restoration of position and back wages... talk to an employment lawyer, please].

ARGHHHHH, Your situation is making me feel pirate like again.... CALLING ALL SABER BEARERS TO ASSIST VOD ON THIS!!!! WE NEED A PIRATE ASSAULT!!! RAE, LEAD THE CHARGE!!!! Give us a Pirate smiley to inspire the attack!

Praying for you also Vod, as I ready the Pirate assault on your employer,
Mark56:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::smileypray::smiley pray::smileypray::Heart::mf_swordfight::mf_swordfi ght::mf_swordfight::mf_swordfight:

Steroids..
 

Just wondering if there are steroids in the mix somewhere. I suffer from migraines and I always know when sterioids have been used. I had a procedure a while back. My headaches were awful. I told the nurse;" if I didn't know better, I would think I had been given some steroids". She informed me that after the procedure, they use some steroids in that area.
Just a thought........steroids anywhere???


(Gerry)

Spinal Headaches
 

Yes, I've heard these are very very nasty!
From what I've heard, the best way to calm them down is to lay flat in a dark room and drink heavily caffeinated beverages.
wow.

Pirate attack
 

.....................................http://dl5.glitter-graphics.net/pub/...b09lebhutj.gif................

Howz THAT for intimidating! ARRrrrgg

thank you all, the pirates made me laugh.

i kind of see this as a big challenge for me. i feel like once i get the pump the old me will be back and i'll be able to get back to where i was.

the ironic thing is i was in a lot of pain when i worked my way up to where i was. real soon, that pain is going to be under control for the first time in 15 years. believe me, i'm trying not to get my hopes up even though it may not sound that way. haha.

by the way, the headaches were strictly related to the leaking spinal fluid. apparently it causes the brain to sag which puts pressure on all the nerves. i don't think it's a steroid thing. hope not anyway.

blood patches do suck. especially when they do multiple. i had a real hard time walking after #3 and #4. the back pain was horrible.

thanks again for everyone's support. i've needed it.

Rrae,
 

I have been lucky the Imitrex really helps with the migraines. Of course, am very careful about rebound headaches from over use.

Ger

pain pump implant in 2 hours. if you don't hear from me right away that's because i'm outside playing catch with the kids. haha.

Good luck and look forward to hearing how you get on

Jackie :)

wouldn't that be real
not just a dream
praying

someone who cares

Pray for the present
 

Because it IS!!!! Kinda goes back to the notion of God being in the here and now. Pray for the NOW, and go outside to play catch "carefully" so as to work into it slowly under doc's orders.
Prayin,
Mark56:hug:zzz

surgery went great. waking up was painful but that's how it always is. after that i've been fine. itching from the meds but it's getting better. my pain is way better than it's ever been in the past but i think they need to bump up the dosage a bit. they must start us off low. still haven't taken any ibuprofen or anything. it'd help but i just want to focus on the pump and how far it takes me on it's own. i haven't even turned my stim on yet. it might be that w/ my current level of meds on the pump and the stim i'll be fine. so weird to think about 'being fine'.

i'm back at work today (2 days after the implant) and it's great. I worked from home yesterday and felt like i could have gone in to the office in the afternoon. that's how good i feel. i'm so excited. i feel like i've joined the living.

again, thanks all for everything!

Congratulations~!
 

Vodka I am SO VERY happy for you! :Head-Spin:

And back to work already! What an inspiration you are!
PLEASE stick around and let us know how you are getting on. I'm curious and would like to learn more re: when/how they fill the reservoire

I dont' want to bombard you with questions just yet :p
Rest easy and enjoy your NEW LIFE!

:hug: Rae :hug:

Wow
 

I know this was an older post, but I've been looking for someone who has had the pain pump surgery. Your story sounds better than anything I've read. I'm very happy for you. Thank you for easing my fears. I wish you continued success