I'm sooooo happy. The drs. today said I could do the pain pump trial. I'm beyond happy. It took over 2 hrs of talking to drs, nurses, examines, reviewing my records from the other drs. and a floriscope of my back to see if it could be done. I got the ok. the only hitch is that because I throw infections if you even look at me wrong, I've got to get with an infections disease dr. (of which I have one) and start on antibodicts. I should get the trial with in the next 2 wks. I'll be in the hosptial for 4 days attached to a cather in my spine and an external pump. they will be trying several cocktails of meds to try and see what works. Once the perm is in and I've healed, I can go back to horseback riding, almost anything. i see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I want to run as fast as I can to get there.

A pain pump is a device where the resivoire that holds pain meds is implanted into your belly, then you have a very thin flexable tube that is connected to the pump, and that tube runs to your back, under the skin, and is implanted directly into your spinal fluid. the meds that are in there are several types and combinations. It's what works best for you, and it take a bit to find that out. By using the pain pump you only require 1/300's of the dose of meds that you are taking orally. it only is put into your spinal fluid, so it doesn't get to the rest of the body to cause the symptoms that we all suffer from, sleepyness, memory loss, etc. The healing is the same as for the scs, but you don't have the same restrictions later after you heal. You don't have to worry about the leads being pulled out. and the cather is placed low in the spine so you don't have a lot of wires and all that are inflexable. I'm so happy. I'll have an metronics unit. You do have to have the pump refilled which is done with a needle thru the belly to the pump, but it is just directly under the skin. It's not the prettiest thing out there, but I don't care. My activity level is more important then ever wearing a skin tight outfit. I'm to old for that anyway.lllooolll

hugs
Mary

Thanks Mary,
for the little education on that pump!
I know how important your outdoor activity is to you, and look forward to when you can get to it!

Be well!

Pete

Mary,

I hope that everything goes well for you!

I had this in for 2 months and it was nice.

Good luck!

Awna

Do you mind if I ask why you only had tis in for 2 months? did you have problems?. Please let me know. I know the risks, I did have 2 scs and the battery moved in my butt, the leads migrated away, had it removed, a new one implanted. spinal bones broken to place the paddle, within 2 wks I was in ER scheduled for suregery tohave it out. I developed MRSA under the battery. No one believed how bad I felt or how painful my side was. Ended up in Nursing home, depressed, hsyterical. (didn't want to be there. there were too many people dying and it smelled horrible, but it was clean). 3 mo on picc line, 2 more infections with those, etc etc. it goes on and on. please let me know

Hugs
Mary

no word today from the surgeon about the date to get the pain pump. I know.. I should have patience, but now that i've decide that it's the way to go, I'm so happy I really want it done, like maybe yesterday.lol I can't wait to get my life back and get back on my horses. With the pump I can. Needless to say I'll be on here as soon as the dr calls. He said it should be a week or so...I've sent him a copy of my last psych exam, just incase he needs it. Also spoke to my ID dr. who said she didn't think I needed antibodicts before surgery, but if the dr. wanted me to have them he could order them. I call his office and left the message on the machine. I really want it in...I want to start healing and then start going like I did before. This is worse the Christmas as a kid.

Hugs
Mary

Hope the pump works well for you... I hear good things about it! What kind of infections do you get? They can give you antibiotics pre-op and after for infections. I am a nurse and we see people for lots of infections....I know that people with rsd often have lowered immune systems. I know I get sick a lot easier now. Good luck to you I hope it works great!!!
Jennelle

Don't mind at all Mary

I ended up getting an infection so we decided it was time to take it out.

I had to keep having the doses up'd as well, I tend to become pretty tolerant of meds. Just like now, with the oxycontin, I started out on 10's of course and have now qorked my way up to 180mg a day. I hate it too just because of the looks that I get from the pharmacists and staff at the store and of course when I call to get scripts. Oh well, what can I do, right?

I did get a SCS put in last month. Not too sure how I feel about it. My hip is killing me, all the time. Every time I call or say anything they tell me to just give it time, it has only been 4 weeks post op...that I need to try a few more times of changing the settings. URG!!! I just feel like something isn't right. The trial went so smooth, It really was wonderful. This is miserable.

Dr. is thinking that the lead has moved. Plus to top it off I ended up stubbing my toe (where RSD orig. started) then fell tonight, landing on the hip that has the battery in it....needless to say I have been up to take a hot shower & that is it!

I can totally see where you could have been inpatient due to the depression, hysteria and even more...I can seriously feel it coming on....

Good luck with the pump, please, keep us posted!!!!

so happy that you will have a chance at lower pain mary.. just know that it is a mjor surgery i am like you and get infections if you say boo. make sure they use strong antibiocs. and make sure that you really chart your pain in the trial. and always know that they can change meds at a drop of the hat if you have issues. i have had mine for 5+ years and wouldnt have it any other way. hope goes well and let us know..

carrie

Good luck to you,

mike