Back Pain Community

Hi SCASE - welcome to the support group -

sorry this response is late - I just now saw your post -

before getting the pain pump implant please get several opinions from different pain doc's that do this -

reason I am saying that is the statement you made where the doc you see "wants you to dry up" as i take this they want you to go completely off your pain meds before they will do this.

I had a pain doc tell me this too and I told him what do you want me to do end up in the hospital?

I don't have one, yet but what I can tell you is the pain pump is done in a 2 part - the first being putting leads in where the pain is and trying to get the mixture of pain med correct as since the lead is put in the sacral area of the spine where the pain is located. the amount of pain med mixture will be quite less than what you normally take orally and/or with the pain patch

this link will help you understand better what they will do -

http://www.spine-health.com/video/intrathecal-pump-implant-video

I'm not sure if we have any members currently that have a pain pump implant -

but please do get a couple of opinions so you know exactly what you're up against.

keep us posted~~

This is my first post and wanted to comment about the pain pump. I have suffered from lower back pain most of my life. My problems can not be corrected and the pain was intolerable. In 1999 my pain management doctor suggested a pain pump and I have been very satisfied with it. I have had three pumps over the years, as my batteries have only lasted about five years. Each time I've had it replaced I have been able to lower my meds and each pump has delivered more relief. I am only using half the meds as I was with the first pump. My side effects have been very few, but I have noticed my memory is not as sharp as it used to be, but I'm not getting younger either. I am thankful for my pump. It has given my life back. I wish I would of discovered it years before I did. To be fare, I have meet people over the years who have not been as successful as I have been. I wish you luck.

Heh Scase, Click on my name to get my history, Had pain pump put in nov 27,2112. The surgery scared me more then anything else bit I really believe this pump has saved the quality of my life. It is just now getting less tender from surgery but I sleep better,eat better,hope to have sex better,lol. No girlfiend right now as pain ruled my life the last 6 years. I take 1 10-325 vicoden every other day,maybe. That is all I need. I am not pain free but am so grateful to not be crying and wished I would die rather then suffer through what I had. Worse things then dying as most true pain patients know. I have no idea how this will work tomorrow but just having today be enjoyable again means quality of life is coming back. Please get several opinions cause any surgery is risky. I really don't think I had much of a choice. So happy today woth about 1/100th of the meds in my system. Again,read some of my post and see if you can relate. God bless you and yours.

Sorry,you'll need to go to pain mgmt. community to access my history First post on this board.Good luck

RSD Diagnosis/Pain Clinic Nightmare tuloud54 posted: About 4 years ago the top of my left hand became painfully cold. Went to family dr of ten years. Sent me to neuro's,had mri's. and put me on Darvocet,4xdaily.Another year goes by and coldness went all the way up my arm to the shoulder. I could not work after 3 weeks. Doctor signed me out on disability and working together we finally found meds that worked for me. 50 mcg fentanyl and 4 percocets daily. Moved out of town and was referred to a pain mgmt clinic as my dr was now 90 minutes away and he was also worried of writing scrips. Pain clinic kept me on 50 patch and stopped all pills. I figure these people know what they are doing so I went along. The patch is a godsend but I noticed I had trouble going in stores,movies and generally places in public due to cold temps causing me pain. I tried expaining to clinic I was worried that quality of my life dropped way down due to avoiding waht is normal temps for someone else. They said I should live with and not complain. Several times the patch had not worked for the full 72 hrs and with no back up,I ended up being in pain. I'm labeled drug seeking and have found a local dr put am really losing hope when all I wanted was relief as needed. I see a specialist for rsd in a week but now am scared. I would take nothing if I wasnt in pain. This pain clinic hurt me when I was originally excited to go. It's like they never believed I was in pain to begin with. I've lost everything and now am just looking to score drugs. This bites. I have never abused any meds and when I have no pain relief I would rather chew my arm off. Sorry to ramble but I'm angry,scared and hurt. I've done nothing wrong but this clinic was frustrated with me early on because I was still in pain. Not looking for help just prayers that someone will believe how much this really hurts. It used to be a bad dream but has now turned into a nightmare.Thanks for your Reply!3 Replies |[a style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); cursor: pointer;" onclick="wmdPageLink('he-dis-list_wladd');LoginAddDiscussionToWatchList(this,'.f365df1','forum');">Watch This Discussion | [a style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); cursor: pointer;" onclick="LoginShowReportPopup('forum','.f365df1','7063400', image_server_url '/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/exchange/modals/modal_report_to_webmd.html','415');return false;">Report

Hi Tuloud54 -


I just wondered from ur post if they have done an EMG and Nerve Conduction Test on your hand/arm? or what other types of tests have been done.


My cousin has Scleraderma and Wilson's Disease where her hands will turn icy cold - and she also gets pains too -


Just wondering what all tests they have and/or anticipate doing - let us know~~

I had great insurance and the only thing I did not try was acupuncture and weed. Asked dr if acupunction would work and he said no.Did not have an answer for weed/lol. Had a lot of test as I wanted an answer and wanted it fixed. I could never have imagined to arm and hand pain if I hadn't lived it. Felt like a toothache up my arm. I even was hoping for a tumor to just cut the sucker out. Lived with sore neck and back for 20 years and thought I knew pain. Try anything but you need to fight like your life depends on it! It does. Hope everyone can get a little rest and just a little more comfort in their lives. Peace all