Getting my pain pump on the 8th!
 

Whoo hoo! I'm getting the medtronic pain pump with Prialt in it. Yes, I've read all the black box warnings and whatnot. If it's horrible, I'll get it taken out, but the trial went really well and I felt great that day. My feet felt pretty much normal and my pain went down to a 2!

I'll go in Wed really early, they put the catheter in my back when I'm still awake the doc said, then they knock me out and put the device in me. I'll stay overnight in the hospital. The doc said I'll be sore for a few days but that I should be able to go back to work the following Monday.

I got a big bottle of Vit C to start loading up on that. Should've been doing it already, but I've read it's a super good idea to do now. Any other advice?

I take 1000 mg daily. I wish you the best. I have only read it is good to take before any surgery but not sure how much. Just wanted to wish you the best will try to find the dosage for you

Less than 24 hours! I think I started getting nervous last night. I just keep telling myself it'll all be okay.

Whooop!!!! :D Good luck chaos!!

I'm really happy for you, will have my fingers crossed that it works as well as the trial has.....pain down to a 2 has to be worth a good shot :winky:

Bram.

That's fantastic Chaos! A score down to 2, well I cant even imagine how wonderful that felt! Best of luck.

Good luck chaos!! I am glad the trial went well for you. My PM dr recommended the pump for me, and I would've went for it if we could figure out a drug to use. My family dr said no way for me because I am allergic to everything :(

Glad you are able to use the meds they put in there...I am happy for you and hope your relief begins real soon!!

Nanc
:hug:

Wishing all the best for you, and a successful surgery. Keep us posted

Good luck tomorrow! Keep us posted on how you are doing. :)

Hi Chaos,

I hope the implantation surgery goes as expected and that you get great results from this !

Thinking of you today. I hope this helps you. Wishing you the best

Hi Chaos, I just wanted you to know that I was thinking of you and hope that your doing okay. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Hey chaos, sorry I didn't check on you earlier, mad weekend...:rolleyes:

How did the pain pump fitting go? Hope you're not too uncomfortable with it so far, and I'm crossing my fingers that it gives you some long-lasting relief.

Take it easy at the moment and good luck with it!

Bram.

I'm finally back sitting at my computer. Things went really, really well. The Prialt is wonderful (for me, so far). I'm getting .25mcg throughout the day, and two bouleses (sp?) of .25mcg, one at 6am and one at 6pm. The allodynia in my feet is soooo much better. It's just a little bit of buzzing at this point, more if I'm colder.

The pain from the surgery was bad over the first couple days. I spent two nights in the hospital, I asked to stay the extra night because I didn't feel it was good for me to go home yet, my blood pressure was a little low the first night. The pain I have now is from the pump rubbing against the muscle. It'll form scar tissue so I don't have to feel that later.

I've been able to stand, in one place, without rocking back and forth, without needing to find a chair right away.

The incision site is itchy at this point, which I'm sure is good. It's sensitive, but not more than it should be, I don't think the RSD has spread at all. The incision in my back hurt as I would expect. I'm just swollen right now. I feel like i have a robot baby I'm carrying around. My pants don't fit. I'm wearing some spanks instead of the girdle they gave me at the hospital. It's super tight, but keeps things in place well so it doesn't move around.

The biggest worry I'll have is memory. A lot of people have complained about that. I've talked to the doc about it and we're going to increase my Prialt slowly to try to avoid this. Because if this doesn't work, I'm not going to be able to work at my job much longer.

I'm so pleased that things are going well with the pump so far chaos :) good for you....must be wonderful to have some easing of the pain and be able to feel the difference in what you can do. I hope this is a long-term effect for you, and you can get back some of the life you want.

It's always lovely when someone has a good day :winky:

Bram.

Keep us posted..Good luck and prayers sent your way..:hug:

Great to hear from you. So glad it went well! I don't know much about these devices.......is the pump in your back? Does the med go into your spine or your vein?? I can't imagine the feeling of being in a comfortable state,.... I hope its a great solution for you! Best ~ Lottie

The pump is in my abdomen. Between my ribs and hips on the right side. I thought it would be flatter but it's kind of tilted so it doesn't hit my ribs when I sit. The catheter goes from my belly, then through my skin around my hip to my spine. I can see the bruise from the line. I thought somebody drew on me at first and then I realized the line was there and not through my body. The catheter is put in my spine, kind of lower maybe 4 vertebrae above the pelvis. There is a cut on the front that is 2.5" long, and then a smaller one on my back.

Overall things are doing well. I overdid it a little at work yesterday when I sat up a couple inches to look at something, then leaned back, and did that too often looking at a spreadsheet. I didn't take any percocet yesterday, but did get home and used my MMJ. I'm suffering a little, but was physically addicted to Percocet a couple years ago and I'm not wanting that to happen again. I'm swollen as expected.

The doc reset the device on Monday to give me more throughout the day and then 6 extra bouleses if I want. When she gave me the extra dose at the office I went home and fell right asleep. But I haven't been too tired during the day. That's the biggest side effect I've noticed, is just getting tired for a small amount of time, not fatigue throughout the day.

I've noticed with the spinal cord stimulators that people are saying they can't bend and twist. I asked my doc about that and she said I should be able to as I feel like it. She secured the line down really well. I've been taking it super easy when it comes to that, but I guess the attachment with the pain pump is different or easier.

Good to know, thanks for the explanation! I pray it brings you some relief. You are doing so well, back to work is impressive.

Hi Chaos, Sorry I'm late on this, but I really am pulling for you that this all goes perfectly for you and that you never experience pain above a two again! Here's to a speedy recovery hon! :hug:

Hey Chaos. I've had 3 nerve blocks and a temporary nerve stimulator. I have RSD in my right foot. The leads moved all around and it hurt my back where the lead went in. It was not comfortable and I could only lay a certain way to get it to work. The trial was no fun for 3 days. Can't decide if I should try it or not??? I am curious to see how you do when healed. I sure wish you the Best!!!:)