Intrathecal Pain Pump

I have only had morphine, for me it works very well, occasionally I take Percocet for break through pain. Everybody responds differently, my doctor stressed that it may make you feel better, the DDD continues to do damage. I hope that answered your question.

Thanks. I am in the process of increasing my daily pump output. The nurse who refilled my pump yesterday told that I was still on a fairly low dosage. I guess that a monthly increase of ten percent, it's going to take me a while to get to a therapeutic level...for me at least.Do you know that your output is? He told me I was at about 0.9mg.

I may have missed this answer, but are you using dilaudid in your pump? 0.9mg is a very low dose. I have maxed out at 5mg per day with an additional 6 blouses per day, I also use 4mg oral dilaudid 4 times a day, if ur not getting adequate pain control at ur current dose, there is room for a reasonable increase. Wish you the best!

So interesting to read all your comments regarding your experiences with a pain pump. As I have mentioned several times previously, my pump was implanted after a successful trial by injection with Dilaudid. They started my permanent pump at about the lowest dose possible. After several increases, I had no relief. After moving to new state, I had several more increases with same result...no relief. I started reducing output with thought of having pump removed. After doing some research, I discovered that I may have still been at a low level of drug output. So, I am in the process of going back up on my dosage.

So, here's my new question, fellow pumpers. Last Thursday I had my pump output increased by 15% to about 2.1 mg. I have no idea how that compares to my previous high dosage. Anyway, The next day after taking my afternoon pills and a bolus, I suddenly felt better. Yes, noticeably better! The bottom of my feet didn't hurt when I walked. The backs of my legs didn't hurt so much. I could work out in my shop. I was so excited. I told my wife how I felt. First time in two years that I felt better, not worse. I woke up the next morning after a particularly good night's sleep. Getting out of bed, the pain in my feet had returned. The boluses did not help. Pills did not help, Here I am on Monday with pain all back. I'm trying to figure out what happened. Was the extra 15% boost helping for just a little until my body readjusted and then the pain just overcame the drug. Will I need extra output increases to reach a lasting effect on the pain. To say I am disappointed would be an understatement! I would like to know if any of you have experienced something similar. Or, any helpful suggestions?
Thank you all who share my pain. Only we really know how it feels.

All I can say regarding your post is that 2.1mg of dilaudid is still a modest dose. I think the 15% increase provided helped for the short term, but still is not an adequate dose to relieve the level of pain you are feeling. I titrated up to 5mg of dilaudid and I also use 6 blouses per day, it helped quite a bit, but my Dr. also prescribed 4 4mg of oral dilaudid to control my pain. I can say that for the 1st time in my life, I don’t mind waking up each day. I’m not groggy or tired from that dose, but my pain is adequately managed. My point is, to work with your Dr. and see if he’ll continue to work with you and continue to adjust your dose in a slow and controlled manner until you feel better, and am happy. The maximum daily dose is 5mg. But you have a long way to go to reach that level, you probably won’t need that level, but a bit of an increase I think will improve the quality of your life! I hope this helps, be your best advocate.

I am not on a pump, but I have had this experience multiple times with procedures. One very good day, then back to hell! Frustrating!

I really appreciate your response. Good to hear of you experience with your dosage. I am hoping and praying that as I reach higher levels in my pump I will get some real, lasting relief. I don't need 100% relief at this point. Just enough to become functional. It would be great to be able to wake up each morning without the persistent pain. I am on Tramadol and Gabapentin along with the pump. I don't know if my pain doc would be willing to prescribe oral dilaudid. Slow and steady increases is the way to go with the pump. How many increases did it take you to achieve the 5 mg of Dilaudid? It just takes so long...ten percent every two to three weeks is so frustrating. Again, thanks and hope you have a blessed day.

It can be so frustrating! Is it all mental? I am sure that my better day after having my pain pump's output increased was not "mental". My foot pain was gone. The pain and fuzziness in the back of my legs was gone. Then, the next day, everything back to "normal". Pain returns as before. Hope you find some relief in your pain journey!

Hi, it took a Cpl months of going every two weeks to get to the level I am at now, going every two weeks will keep you going bc as you go, you start to feel better each time, so you want to go again. The 2.5 dose is NOT where you want to be, I’m certain that once you get to 3.5 you will feel much better. Before oral dilaudid, I was on 2 tramadol with 2 Tylenol, that combination helped as well, hopefully you are prescribed 2 tramadol, then add the 2 Tylenol and that will help, please work with your Dr to approve that combination. Anyway, my suggestion 1st and foremost would be to

Sorry, I cut myself off, I would work with your Dr to get to a higher dose of dilaudid in your pump, a higher dose will make a positive effect to your quality of life, it did for me! Please keep me updated, thx Heisenberg!! Loved that show!!!