I had a Medtronic spine pump with hydromorphone for 15 years.

I had a Medtronic pain pump removed after 18 years. You are correct, the opioid withdrawal was absolutely horrible. Only those who have experienced it know just how awful it is. And what is worse, my anesthesiologist never warned me of the severity and length, and he certainly didn't monitor me at all during this difficult time. I don't believe he knew what he should have about withdrawal and his interest was more in installing and servicing the pumps! Long term morphine usage can exacerbate and even cause some of what you describe. Opioids can alter your brain's perception of pain, can cause homeostasis quickly upping the dose for the same result to name a few. I have a couple more responses under chronic pain that may be helpful. I wish you well-I have been there.

I had my pump removed less than 2 weeks ago. I had a pump in place for 20 years. For some reason, the pump had become painful in my abdomen. It had to be aggravating nerves, cause it was so painful. I had my pump weaned down to a low dose over a number of weeks. Because I got my pump to a low level, I didn't go through withdrawals. I have been through withdrawals before so I know how bad they can be. I wish your pain management doctor had weaned your pumps. So much easier.

Since your pump removal are you on any other pain regimen? If not, do you still suffer from the original pain problems that caused you to use the pump in the first place? Have you noticed any side effects from long term medical narcotic usage? Just good to know is all.

I am taking oral medicine but with no increase in it since pump removal. My pain has increased. I am just going to have to find a way to deal with it.

I think the biggest problem is that I have too many types of pain. So hard to control.

Perhaps there was no withdrawal since you were taking enough oral morphine when the pump was removed. The pump can provide far superior morphine pain relief than orally. My experience has proven to me, that the pump was great at relieving my terrible chronic pain, for which it was set up for, but by no means did it make me pain free. I suffered pain from other sources during its use. Your posts indicate a similar situation ( pump removal because if site pain) . Oral morphine (enough of it anyway) affects all pain in the body, to some extent. I am not surprised that your chronic pain increased, because the pump is so much more beneficial, providing far greater accuracy and dosage that is impossible orally. Since you had a medically valid reason to have it removed, perhaps an option to have it installed in a different area might be appropriate. After all you had 20 years of success with one. They are making them much more compact (although the reservoirs are smaller needing more refills) which might help. Also, the procedure should be much simpler than initially since they probably left the catheters in. Although my situation is different, the pumps have their benefits, and in your case it might be the best option to live more pain free again.

My pain pump had a different medicine than my oral medicine. I would have to get another catheter placed if I decided to pursue another pump. Because of the difficulty in removing a 20 year old catheter, the neurosurgeon decided to leave the catheter in place but it was cut off and clamps applied. I am fearful of having another system implanted, because I have arachnoiditis in the area where the catheter is located just below L1 and L2. I feel pretty certain that the arachnoiditis developed because of the pump catheter.

I have developed some symptoms of Arachnoiditis since my major back surgery. Mainly numbness in my right leg caused by sitting. I've just had a C-T scan and an MRI of my lumbar spine ordered by my anesthesiologist/surgeon to find the cause. The surgery was extremely successful eliminating 95% of the awful pain and numbness, but a month ago the numbness started again (no pain, thank God). Also, I now have been diagnosed with cancer, so I understand full well , that some times the only thing we can do is to make the best of a bad situation! All I know is that, at my age, a lot of things happen without my permission. Wish you the best.