After being on OxyContin for 11 years, plus OxyIR and now on my 2nd internal morphine pump, all I can say is that I'm thankful I have a great doctor who's willing to look at my damage and try and control the pain as best as possible. While I'm far from pain free, I am able to maintain a better quality of life thanks to these very expensive medications. When I had my first morphine pump battery fail, I really saw how big a difference this pain management protocol was making in my daily life.

Stop being scared of the hard hitting drugs. According to my Mayo's trained doctor only 1 to 3% of those taking these drugs ever become hooked. While there is a certain degree of body dependence, that's not the same. When I have watched those same TV shows you've watched about the horrors of taking these medications I've gone to my doctor asking if I was hurting my life more than helping it. His response, "Stop watching them!"

There are people who abuse the living heck out of medications for all the wrong reasons, but when there's the real physical damage that necessitates the need for these drugs, they save our lives and make it possible so we can still find new ways to live life though with perhaps a different set of limitations. Best of luck and don't let the bad press and overly judgmental people who have no idea about what life is like when you're living with the pain loads we consider normal scare you into making the wrong choice. Last of all, when you're with a doctor with a great reputation and who's well trained, there's nothing to be scared of. For all those in that one county in Florida who are nothing more than addicts taking what's referred to as the OxcyContin Express, I can only say I feel sorry for you. What I'd give to not have to take these drugs, so why in the world would anyone do it on purpose? Meanwhile, those of us who are very injured are blessed that they're out there. Bob.

There is a very very good reason why they are called "Pain Killers". Thank god for them and the relief I see in my wife, who has RSD, when she has them on hand opposed to not having them and watching the RSD take over completely. bobinjeffmo, has the pain pump made a real difference in your life and if so, how much of a relief has it given, if I may ask.

I got my first morphine pump 7 1/2 years ago. It lasted 5 1/2 years before the battery finally knocked out. I then had to go a bit over three months without one because of more surgeries I had to take care of first so I was reminded what life was like without this fantastic little machine - and I'll tell you I was in pure hell. After we installed my second morphine pump 1 1/2 years ago, I once again was reminded just how unbelievable of device these things really are, but there are problems that go with them - so you've got to accept the bad with the good.

First the test is an overnight stay in the hospital where they'll inject morphine directly in your spinal fluid. The pain went away and I bawled in tears it felt so good. 4 hours later it burned off. You'll know on the spot of this will work. If the pain either considerably eases up or goes away, it should work. If the pain is still there, then it wont. The worse story I read on this very site was about a person who was complaining about their pump not working even though they'd lied to the doctor during the test about the pain going away even though it hadn't during the test. For this person, their lie is going to make a heap of future problems and I'm glad I'm not in their shoes. Meanwhile, I just can't fully describe how much of a difference it's made in my life.

After doing my morphine pump test we installed my 20 grand pump the following week that ran around $1,500 per refill every 8 to 9 weeks during the early years (I haven't kept up so I know it's more expensive now). When we installed my 2nd pump last year the cost was 30 grand so this is no cheap up front investment. In addition there was a huge lump on my spine where the catheter (a tube is placed from the pump that sits in a pocket in front of your tummy through the middle of your body) is sewn into place that took over 6 months before the swelling was small enough to not really bug the heck out of me all the time though it still does and can get very sore to this day. Then there's the hockey puck sized device you have to carry around inside your tummy that's another tad annoying byproduct. This thing isn't small no matter what Medtronics web site says, and so bending over is a much greater challenge not to mention the fact that my waist size went up over 4 inches thus all my clothes were either worthless or didn't fit right. There is no silver bullet. On a positive note, my second pump has a much larger reservoir so I don't have to go in near as often to get it refilled.

Morphine pumps can help but I'd say their main purpose it to moderate out pain throughout the day. This type of expensive technology is handed out to only the worse cases and all of the physical damage and documentation must be perfect or it will never get through the insurance companies or Medicare. Just warning you up front since I've see others who have had problems though mine was approved in less than a week.

It is an option worth exploring, but it comes with other prices. Would I live without one, heck no! Am I terrified with all the changes in insurance that I won't be able to get one next time my battery dies, you're darn right. Am I thankful each and every day for this annoying gadget that's constantly in my way but that gives pain relief like none other, more than you'll ever know.

Talk it over with your doctor and see if this is a test worth taking and then go from there. Always be honest at each step along the way good or bad. It's my opinion that more people suffer from bad relationships with their pain management doctors because of not always being 100% up front than for any other reason. Your strength of character and reputation will go a long ways toward earning the right to have this option given I assure you.

Best of luck and if I can be of any more help let me know, Bob.

Hi - I am trying to assist my father in the process of being set up with a pain pump. What is the best one to get. He mentioned the medtronic 40. Also, they are going to start him off with dilaudid and lidocaine. He said that the trial gave him some relief, but not complete. Should he ask to try different medications before just using what they have tested. And, I think they just did some injections for the test. Do you think they might be more accurate in determining the dosage if they do a continuous test with higher and higher dose until he is not in pain?

Once the doctor decides to put in the pump that's your first hurdle and a major implant plus healing experience. There's nothing easy about getting one of these things or getting use to it.

After the pump is installed, let the doctor start down his conservative list of whatever he decides to use as far as dosage and pain medication. You don't start out at the top end, but instead work your way up till you find the safe and correct dosage. Because we're talking about some pretty heavy duty drugs, there must be extreme caution used when the doctor is ramping up the dosage and when choosing which pain medication he'll respond too best. This could and will take months, but I assure you that no matter where the doctor starts at, your dad will be in better shape than he is now as long as the test proved that this would work for him.

The worse case I ever read was about a person who was unhappy with their pump after it was installed since it wasn't helping with the pain. The reason was because the patient had lied to the doctor during the test and had told him that it had worked when it really hadn't one bit. When it comes to pain management, it's just as much about our relationship and trust with the doctor that matters here as the actual medication(s) we eventually use. Also make sure your dad understands that just because you have a pump does not mean he'll instantly be pain free. I'm still taking two kinds of oral narcotics in addition to the pump so when we're talking about this level of pain, there are times when all of us climb the walls even with the huge load of medications we're on. All my best for you and your dad.

GOM=God's Own Medicine. That's what the docs called morphine when it was first used, and I find it fits today for most all of the opiods. I look at the 'scare' potential of these meds as simpleminded. If the worst side effect I can expect to see is physical addiction, well, so what? I'll have this nightmare for life, so wehat's the big deal? Living life without the painkillers would result in a very short pain filled couple of months. I simply could not take the pain, period. Any doc I've been to that came out with the "I don't prescribe opiates because they are addictive" line showed their complete lack of compassion as well as a general lack of what I would consider qualifications to be a physician, ie prescribe the safest med first. Opiates are nearly all safer than neurontin, et al.

MSContin 30mg/3 per day, 15mg oxycodone, 4/day, 3 350mg Soma/ day, taken 1/2 at a time (they make me sleepy if I take a whole one) Serax 15mg 3/day, initially for panic attacks, now they help me by calming my nerves which lessens the pain, and welbutrin 'cause for some reason I'm bummed out. I think if the opiates were slightly stronger I'd be better served, but my doc is balking, so I'm trying to make due.

100% in agreement and it's clear you understand this topic most personally. Now if only we could get the media to get off our backs about "anyone" who's taking the hard stuff is nothing more than a glorified drug user. I'd love them to switch places with us for just one day and I'll bet they'd look at medications such as morphine in a whole different light.

Meanwhile we have to be kinder to doctors. They really do have the Fed's breathing down their backs more and more and so unless they don't want to be a doctor anymore, they have to be more careful than ever about who they're writing out these scripts too. Sorry, but when there's the profitability in it that can amount to thousands of dollars a month, all doctors have the right to ask if they're caring for pain or if they're just helping the patient have a better standard of living. A lot of the reasons we're in this mess is because of drug abusers like it or not. Of course if it was me, I'd just legalize the stuff and let the stupid stay stupid. At least it would solve the black market problems and stop the pimps from selling their wares on street corners. I'll always believe we can't legalize morality, so why do we keep trying? Meanwhile the consequences are that a whole lot of people in severe pain do suffer because of doctors who are just to scared they'll loose everything by issuing out drugs to the wrong patient.

I too have been on opoids for about 3 years now. I was initially dx with rsd in the early 90's but the pain was never really treated. Every doctor I saw was opiodphobic and behavior based (AKA all in my head). I struggled in pain trying different meds the few that were prescribed and most did nothing to help. Luckily it went into remission in 2000 what a relief, and I actually did fairly well until 2007 when it came out of remission. This time it is worse, more widespread and the back and hips are involved and both legs and feet, original rsd site right leg. I can't tolerate Neurontin and didn't even want to try Lyrica since I had such a horrible reaction to Neurontin, Pain doc was a total jerk and said "call me when you decide to try Lyrica" and dismissed me. Thankfully I have a wonderful PCP who isn't afraid to prescribe for me and tries to make me as comfortable as possible. I am currently on Norco 7.5 mg 4 times a day, Robaxin 4 times a day, Celebrex, Oxycodone for breakthrough and COumadin. I also have DVT and Chronic Veinous Inefficiency, DJD, Arthritis, Myofacial/Fibromyalgia.

The best med I have taken is Avinza it is Morpphine made differently thann any other but is $16 a pill at least the rich can get out of pain ,I totally feel like scum ,I have taken large dorsed of MsContin ,MSIR,800mg Ibuprofen ,800 mg Neurontin ,/Clonazepam and doxepin because I'm crazy I really havent counted the years Ive had RSD all that matters is right now ,we RSDers are very equally suffering about the same right now ,I hope some of you can afford Aviinza or its on your insurance formulary ,never even once have I misused my meds ,it makes me just want to give up when the people who sell and abuse their meds ,you are killing those of us who follow our prescriptions,but people who fake their way or trade for other drugs ,all I can say is KARMA ,to everyone else who really suffer
Gentle Hug
rsdno

After being on OxyContin for 11 years, plus OxyIR and now on my 2nd internal morphine pump, all I can say is that I'm thankful I have a great doctor who's willing to look at my damage and try and control the pain as best as possible. While I'm far from pain free, I am able to maintain a better quality of life thanks to these very expensive medications. When I had my first morphine pump battery fail, I really saw how big a difference this pain management protocol was making in my daily life.

Stop being scared of the hard hitting drugs. According to my Mayo's trained doctor only 1 to 3% of those taking these drugs ever become hooked. While there is a certain degree of body dependence, that's not the same. When I have watched those same TV shows you've watched about the horrors of taking these medications I've gone to my doctor asking if I was hurting my life more than helping it. His response, "Stop watching them!"

There are people who abuse the living heck out of medications for all the wrong reasons, but when there's the real physical damage that necessitates the need for these drugs, they save our lives and make it possible so we can still find new ways to live life though with perhaps a different set of limitations. Best of luck and don't let the bad press and overly judgmental people who have no idea about what life is like when you're living with the pain loads we consider normal scare you into making the wrong choice. Last of all, when you're with a doctor with a great reputation and who's well trained, there's nothing to be scared of. For all those in that one county in Florida who are nothing more than addicts taking what's referred to as the OxcyContin Express, I can only say I feel sorry for you. What I'd give to not have to take these drugs, so why in the world would anyone do it on purpose? Meanwhile, those of us who are very injured are blessed that they're out there. Bob.[/QUOTE]