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@heisenberg34 I was constantly discouraged for most of my first year and a half. My Doc was very conservative. And started me with true micro dosing after my trial. Keep in mind I’ve been on morphine. It was very frustrating. So, I kept complaining of no real relief. I was at 1.3 mg of morphine when she sent me to an associate for a surgical procedure to check if the catheter was clogged. It wasn’t. So he boosted me to 3.0 milligrams. Finally some relief. I guess he crossed a boundary she was to cautious of. After that I might get two, 15% increases a year. I was limited in that I had the 20ml pump. So concentration had to be adjusted too. I just got my pump replaced in September 2025. Now I have a 40ml and I’m at 12.47mg of morphine per day. Four 2.3 mg. Bolus flex dosing and 1.99 mg for 24 hour continuous. It keeps me at steady 6 level pain. I too enjoy a 3 month stint of level 4 pain. I’ve never been able to get there again. I have a lot of back issues that require interventional pain management, injections and ablations. When they are done on a regular basis I’m good unless it rains. Had fentanyl in the pump for 1 weekend, thought I was losing my mind. I’ve never been given dilaudid. But I’m getting ready to ask. I’ve attached some photos of what’s inside me. I’ve had 14 back surgeries, and a hip replacement. I also have a 16 lead SCS that I use on Tingle every night to help with the pain. My pump philosophy is that having it can be real frustrating nuisance. But without it, I’m a deadman walking. So I’ve learned to live with my discouragements, as they are temporary. It’s a forever thing inside us. And docs are afraid of going to far to help. At 67, disabled since 2005, I’m not afraid of going to high. What good is retirement if I can’t enjoy it. Hang tight, maybe interview a different doc if yours doesn’t listen. I should have answered this earlier in the day when my pain is lower. If I didn’t give you the message you needed, ask again, I have it. Wrong time for my response. Good luck 👍
Replies to "@heisenberg34 I was constantly discouraged for most of my first year and a half. My Doc..."
@bilt4pain Another question for you. You were at 1.3 mg/day and a doc ramped you up to 3.0. Was that all in one shot. That's a 230% increase. I felt woozy once when I had a 20% increase. Of course I am on Dilaudid so maybe that's the difference. Thanks.
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@bilt4pain Man! You are about as close to the bionic man as anyone I’ve seen. I truly appreciate your getting back to me. I have Dilaudid in my 20 ml Medtronics SCS. Currently on 2.3 mg continuous with six small blouses available daily.
I’ve had this thing in me for over two and a half years. So, you can see why I am discouraged. Plus, my neuropathic pain seems to be getting worse. Walking is problematic along with balance issues. You say tat you are at a pain level 6?!That sounds like still quite a bit of pain.
I had a spinal cord stimulator that worked well for a couple of years until it just stopped. I have seen others here saying that the had to go up to 4 mg daily to get relief. I’m praying that getting to a higher dosage will help me. Again, thanks for responding. I hope you can find a way to bring tat pain level down.