Chronic Pain Support Group

My doctor is recommending a pain pump (medtronic). I would love to hear from anyone who has had this surgery. What was your experience with a pain pump? Any responses will be greatly appreciated.

I have 2 friends that did the pain pump. One did well the other had it taken out. Both still had to take breakthru pain meds.

What I observed with them is it took awhile to get med just right. If it was too much their legs became numb. If it was too little pain was not controlled.

The one that kept it did find the right amount and did better with it that without it.

Good luck.

Hugs

hummm ive never heard of a pain pump except for the one they use in hospital during my chemo therapy. do you need surgery for that? how does it work? What kind of meds do they use with this pump. Im also from Canada maybe USA has it there and we dont here yet. ID bev interested in knowing how it works and ifv its painful to get it done if its surgical?

mobey, it is an outpatient procedure to put one in or take it out.

Both the guys I knew to do it had terrible back issues. One was in his mid 40's, the other in his late 60's.

The older man did well, whereas the younger didn't adjust well enough to keep it.

Both had powerful meds pumping thru. It has to be refilled monthly.

I know the older man had 3 meds in his. After several adjustments he finally had it right. The younger just couldn't seem to get his right.

And as mentioned both still had to use breakthru meds as well.

It is not painful to put in/take out. The issue is finding the right dosages of meds. When they both were getting too much the top of their legs went numb. Too little and pain was excrutiating. But, relativly soon, the correct dosage is found.I know Bob (older man) had fentyl, and 2 other meds I am not sure of. Ken (younger) had morphine and then tried a different one.

If I ever get in back pain like they did I would talk to doc about having pain pump. It really made a difference in Bob's quality of life.

Hugs