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What was your experience with a pain pump?

Posted by twa1965 @twa1965, Feb 16, 2022

Who on the platform has a Pain Pump? What side effects did you have, if any? How much did it reduce your pain? What was the recovery time for surgery?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

Profile picture for jade2020
jade2020 | @jade2020 | Sep 5, 2025
In reply to @heisenberg34 "Sounds like you really got the short end of the deal. I can't imagine how they..." + (show)
Profile picture for heisenberg34 @heisenberg34

Sounds like you really got the short end of the deal. I can't imagine how they got so many things wrong. I had a great trial with my pump, using dilaudid. Morphine was no help. Since I lost about twenty pounds, the pump bulges out a bit from my abdomen, but nothing like you are describing. Now that you are getting some relief from your pump, Please stick with it. How has it impacted your pain level?
I am still having my pump output adjusted, so I am not at a point to say how it is affecting my pain. I wish you well.

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Not getting any relief from the pump. I did find a doctor who listens but I’m now trying to shut the pump down and get on oral meds. I know they aren’t the best but I have no quality of life. I am in extreme pain and the pump is painfull.

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jade2020 | @jade2020 | Sep 5, 2025
In reply to @heisenberg34 "If the trial worked well, the permanent implant should work as well. Hydromorphone is a great..." + (show)
Profile picture for heisenberg34 @heisenberg34

If the trial worked well, the permanent implant should work as well. Hydromorphone is a great choice for a pain pump. It's five times as powerful as morphine. Please let your current doctor adjust your pump output. You may eventually get decent pain relief. Has de discussed clearing the tip of the catheter? I wish you well.

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The doctor I stayed with for over 4 years didn’t seem to have any interest in the amount of pain I was in. Over the time he was filling my pump he never used the dose and he never checked to see if the catheter was blocked. I made an appointment with him and he didn’t show. I started with a new doctor. He tested and found the catheter is blocked. I have lost a lot of weight and the pump is extremely painful. I want to shut down the pump and get on oral meds. At this point I have a hard time eating and sleeping due to pain. My problem is I can’t find a pain center who will give me the oral med.

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heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Sep 5, 2025
In reply to @jade2020 "The doctor I stayed with for over 4 years didn’t seem to have any interest in..." + (show)
Profile picture for jade2020 @jade2020

The doctor I stayed with for over 4 years didn’t seem to have any interest in the amount of pain I was in. Over the time he was filling my pump he never used the dose and he never checked to see if the catheter was blocked. I made an appointment with him and he didn’t show. I started with a new doctor. He tested and found the catheter is blocked. I have lost a lot of weight and the pump is extremely painful. I want to shut down the pump and get on oral meds. At this point I have a hard time eating and sleeping due to pain. My problem is I can’t find a pain center who will give me the oral med.

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Sorry to hear the difficulties you’ve been experiencing. My advice (and that’s all it is) would be to stick with the pump for now and see if you can find a highly recommended neurosurgeon who can address the blocked catheter and the pump location. I am assuming that your trial went well? How was your pain level before and after the trial?
If that’s too much, then keep on looking for a doc who will prescribe new, more effective pain meds. I wish you well.

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deeters | @deeters | Sep 5, 2025

I have had seven back surgeries over the last 25 years. Chronic pain was normal I’d tried everything. I’ve been on orals for 25 years. About four years ago I finally got a pain pump in my lower right back. I have after the first year or so of adjustment finally gotten lots of relief for the last few years. I was in pain every time I walked now I am for the most part pain free on that side anyway.

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morkat | @morkat | Mar 8 10:59am
In reply to @morkat "Hi! I am on my second pump (morphine) It has given me my life back. By..." + (show)
Profile picture for morkat @morkat

Hi! I am on my second pump (morphine) It has given me my life back. By the time I needed the pump I was running out of options. There was no more surgery they could do, the shots don't work for me, so it was meds by mouth. I was quickly facing my limit and was asleep most of the time. After the pump, I could get out of bed and start my day. It takes 90% of my pain away. Every disc in my spine is compromised. My neck has been rebuilt, my knee, shoulder, and both hips are replaced. You need to do what your told and make the adjustment to this. I take 1 300th of oral painkillers. The surgery is same day and not difficult.

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Hi! I am stunned to hear that someone has the horrible back and joints I
have. I think, as you mention in your post, acceptance and treating the
other things that chronic pain brings, like depression and weight gain,
help the whole picture of this chronic condition. I don't know your age,
but I can tell you are living with your disease, not fighting against it.
I agree by the time you need a pump there are few or no cards left in the
deck. Thank you for responding to me. I would like to hear from you
again. I wish you continued success.

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