Intrathecal Pain Pump

I am in the process of getting a pain pump. I too would like to hear from people who have them already. What do you wish you knew before you got the pump? And how well has it worked for you, effectiveness and drug therapies?

I’ve had my pump for 4 years. It took a lot of time to iterate up to level that relieved my pain. I also use 6 blouses per day so that also helps. After one failed implantation? The 2nd time was perfect, I still have to use some oral pain meds plus the pump, but not as much as when I was just taking the oral pain meds

Archie here:
Medtronic pump installed 2007 with Dilaudid inside. Absolutely changed my life for the better. I haven’t had to take any oral medication since. Replaced 2015 and 2021. Had a granuloma once— but that’s the whole Story. I love it.
Best, Archie

I’ve had mine for 4 yrs. The 1st pump surgery was in for 6 weeks then got terribly infected and had to be removed, waited several yrs and tried it again, works fine now. Still need to take oral dilaudid to control my pain. Can you tell me how many mg of dilaudid you get in ur pump, I’m maxed out at 5.5 mg thx

Archie here:

When I first had my pump implanted in 2007 in DC, I also had an infection which resolved into a large seroma (fluid filled sack) around the pump. The surgeon was apologetic as he removed many 100.s of cc's from my body., but it solved the issue. I'm now 80, and my Adhesive Arachnoiditis has progressed and for whatever reason is more active right now. I have a 40ML PUMP, SO PLENTY OF ROOM FOR MEDICATION. I get over 6.8 on continuous flow daily (I'll look ups exactly if you need it) but also have the choice of 5 boluses /day. This flexibility precludes the necessity of oral meds. Bottom line, I'm very happy with the Medtronic 40 that I have.

As an aside, I recently had a consult with the head of Neurology at Mayo's in Jacksonville, and he told me again the AA is progressive and that it was UNREASONABLE for me to expect the pump to cover all the pain issues I am having, That was a real kick in the butt, and he recommended getting a spinal cord stimulator as an adjunct to the pump. For me, that has been a big mistake. I've gone through months of healing, testing various treatment protocols--all to no avail--it just doesn't help me. So be aware that it may not be for everyone. I've had AA since 1978, so I do have some perspective on the disease and treatment modalities.. I wish you good luck.
Best, Archie

I had a Medtronic intrathecal pump with balofen and dilaudid. Had it removed after six years due to new onset back pain and arachnoiditis presumably caused by the pump.

Hi Archie, I get 6 blouses per day, and have a good dose of baclophen to help with muscle pain. I’ve now progressed to the pump as well as 8mg oral dilaudid 2 times a day, this has provided good pain management and I’ll stick with this protocol for the long haul, it took a lot of trial and error, but finally have a better quality of life.