Intrathecal Pain Pump

Posted by duckski44 @duckski44, Jun 21 5:02pm

I’ve have an intrathecal pain pump for many years, just trying to connect with others that have this device to chat with people about effectiveness and drug therapies.

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

heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Oct 26 2:33pm

In reply to @bilt4pain "@heisenberg34 I’ve had the pump for 8 years and just had it replaced with the 40ml..." + (show)

@bilt4pain That’s great information. I wish I had done more research prior to getting the trial. I would have asked all those important questions regarding how much I was getting. I was on the verge of getting the pump removed until I started looking into all those amounts. That was when I discovered how low I was even after sixteen months. So, going up again. Not sure what my current level is. At my last refill, the nurse told me that I was at about 1.9 mg. I guess that’s per day. I’ve had it increased by ten percent and fifteen percent a few times so I don’t know where I am currently.
I have seen others on this site way up there, so I’m not too worried about going higher. I guess I’m fortunate to be able to get my output adjusted every two to four weeks.
Let’s try and keep each other updated if I can remember. lol. Thanks again!

morkat | @morkat | Oct 27 6:21am

In reply to @duckski44 "I’m curious, which joint was replaced 7 times? I’ve had my L hip replaced 7 times..." + (show)

@duckski44

I had 7 different joints done. Neck front and back, lumbar spine, both knees and both hips and the grand finale right shoulder replacement. Whew!

carolynhughes75 | @carolynhughes75 | Oct 28 7:07pm

In reply to @heisenberg34 "@bilt4pain That’s great information. I wish I had done more research prior to getting the trial...." + (show)

@heisenberg34
1.9 X 24 hours = this would be your daily dose.
You are still at a fairly low dose per day.

dasunbehagen | @dasunbehagen | Oct 30 2:27pm

Do pain pumps cause weight gain? With a pain pump, is there any feeling like you've just taken a pill, like a warm hug? I mean does it go to your head at all?

dasunbehagen | @dasunbehagen | Oct 30 2:29pm

How does it make your head feel? How large is incision to implant pump? If you don't mind, of course.

heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Oct 31 9:49am

In reply to @dasunbehagen "How does it make your head feel? How large is incision to implant pump? If you..." + (show)

@dasunbehagen The medication is delivered into the intrathecal space around the spinal cord. Literature states that the med does not pass the blood/brain barrier (it doesn't go into the general body systems), so no real side effects. I have not experienced any weight gain. Most pumps are implanted inside the abdomen just under the skin. This is so the port can be easily accessed for refilling(about every two to three months). The pump is about the size of a hockey puck, so a small incision 1-2" is made on your front, side abdomen. Tubing is fished around to your back where a small incision is made in order to place a catheter(needle) into the spinal canal and then attached to the tubing. Hope that answers your questions.

ukdebcat | @ukdebcat | Oct 31 12:51pm

In reply to @archie2 "Archie here: When I first had my pump implanted in 2007 in DC, I also had..." + (show)

@archie2 I have a spinal cord stimulator since 2021. It worked for about a year and then stopped. I think the problem was that my stimulator moved. It is now sticking out of my back instead of being flat against my back. I am now looking at a pain pump. The first trial was unsuccessful. It took many hours for the medication to work, but I still had to take OxyContin that night. I will be having another pain pump trial in the near future and I’m hoping it will work better. In other words I would give the stimulator a chance.

heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Nov 1 10:21am

In reply to @ukdebcat "@archie2 I have a spinal cord stimulator since 2021. It worked for about a year and..." + (show)

@ukdebcat Sounds a lot like my experiences. My SCS lasted about two and a half years before it also just stopped one day. No warning. Tried another, different battery. No luck. Two years later I had my pain pump trials. Both were done by injection. First one used morphine. No help. Two weeks later they injected hydromorphone(Dilaudid). Within ten minutes it dropped my pain from an eight down to about a two. It was great. Two and a half years later I am still in the process of having it adjusted. Initially I had it increased, but after about a year I stopped and considered having it removed. But, after some research and with help from the great commenters here on Mayo Clinic Connect, I discovered that I was still at a relatively low amount. So, I began having it increased again. Except for ONE DAY(!) I have not gotten any pain relief, so "Up< Up, and Away" for now. I will certainly keep everyone in the loop. My daily total output is 1.75 mg. Good day and God's blessings to you all!

heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Nov 1 10:33am

In reply to @morkat "I have had Medtronic pump, it was first implanted in 2012. I used the smallest dose..." + (show)

@morkat I just came across your post regarding your pain pump. Looks like you are pretty happy with it. I've been trying to get relief from mine for over two years. Can you tell me what your total, daily output is? Also, do you have any boluses? Do you use them? Thanks for sharing. I apologize if I have reached out before and just forgot.