Pros and Cons on pain pumps/SCS!
 

Hello all great friends!

My PM is suggesting a Morphine pump or SCS. I know many of you have or had them. I keep getting confusing information on them and would like your opinions.

I much prefer your experiences to those of the "experts". If anyone is an expert on RSD, it is us.

Thanks,

Kim:winky:

Hi Kim
I havent had either,but Ive had been scheduled to hace a SCS installed,,,another DR wanted to do the pain pump,,As you know,,A SCS can either help or hinder,,if your in [SIP @ 100% and there is a %{ Transition rate.} .when coming out of SMP into SIP,,,But if your totally in SIP,then the SCS wont work ,neither will blocks,because the pain isnt useing the nerve via to the bain,its going around it,,A SCS will either give you relief{ your still in SMP @100%] or it will give you partial relief{meaning your partially in In Both SIP and SMP,,,meaning that some pain messages are going to the brain via the nerve but part of the signal is going around the nerve{independent],,then theres no relief where its 100% SIP ,,,last opion to the scenario is the SCS will cause a spread ,,everyone is wired different kim,,it may work for you,,there's alot of failure rates tho...But,you do have a trial,that is where they put it in temporary to see if it helps or hinders,,,if it helps,they do a permanent install,if it hinders,,,they pull it out,,,I know of all of the above,,{people who didnt get relief,,,people that,did get relief people that did get partial relief and took some meds to compensate ,and those who didnt get any relief,,,,and those who it caused a spread]....I did notice tho ,that alot DR's use the pain pump as plan B ,,,,,,Ive heard more good about the pain pump,on this forum,,but to each his or her own,,,if you have the resources,,try the SCS..you dont want to wonder or regret not trying it,,theres alot of people who do get relief,,then try the pump,,Or go straight for the pump,,,but,,go with your gut,,,pray on it kim,,the Lord will guide you,,,,,bobber

Hi. I had been suggested the scs but due to the block and infusion causin an increase in my pain I did not. The pump was suggested as one of the last things to try. I am not sure why. Like bobber said the pump would be something that may help if your pain is in the brain vs spine. If it is in the brain then the scs may not work. I may be getting this screwed up and I have been explained it many times but still am a little lost. Have you had any other procedures like blocks and also have tried different combos of meds? This should be the starting point.

hello!
Under medications, there is a sub-forum for SCS and pain pumps!! Pretty awesome!!! :)

Hi there.

I can offer you my experience as I've had 2 scs and now have a pain pump. Go to the sticky and you will see how I feel. I'm sorry I had the scs. I love the pump...all the benefits of the oral meds, but none of the side effects. Also, you can move around a lot more with the pump. horseback riding etc. Can't do anything like that with scs. I'd try the pump trial first. Less surgical pain from trial then the scs. I love the pump. If I had to do it again I would [U]Never [B]Have had the scs trial.

Hugs,
Mary

SCS & Pain Pumps Sub-Forum: http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum118.html