Pain pump failure

just increased my pump output to 3.14 mg/24 hr. And six boluses. I gave myself everything yesterday and still no pain relief. You can imagine how discouraged and depressed I was feeling. I don't think I have any other options. It looks like I will be spending the rest of my life in crippling pain. If so, I have to develop some coping mechanisms. Otherwise, I will likely drive myself crazy. Look forward to hearing from you.

I have been in science related work until retirement ten years ago. Medical technologist for about eight years and thirty four years as a science teacher. I was skiing in Vermont the first winter after retirement and fell hard on my lower back. Since then it’s been injections, ablations, meds, a spinal cord stimulator, and lastly my pain pump which was implanted almost three years ago. It has never given me any relief, except, oddly enough, one day about three months ago. It was the day after getting my pump refilled. I had given myself a bolus because, well, just because. About thirty minutes later I was walking down the hallway and, all of a sudden, I noticed that all my pain had disappeared. Not decreased, disappeared. I thought I had finally turned the corner. Called my son, told him with much excitement. Then, the next morning, all my pain returned. Man, was I bummed out!
At my next appointment I had the pump evaluated. Everything checked out. So, I continued having it bumped up. Ten percent, then fifteen percent. Nothing. This past week I had it bumped up again. Current numbers are: 3.1 mg/24 hours; six boluses of about 0.3 mg each. My PM was reluctant to get that high. I gave myself all six boluses but felt nothing. I mean, that puts me at almost five mg. BTW I have a Medtronic’s pain pump. So, it appears that I am stuck where I am. My PM is not empathetic or willing to dig deeper into my situation. I have practically begged him with no response. Unfortunately, he is about the only game here in Dover. To be honest I’m not sure what else there is to do.
If you don’t mind, you told me you are currently sitting at about 6,2 mg/24 hours. Does that include your boluses? Was your doc reluctant to take you that high?
Thanks for getting back to me. It means a lot. I think you have given me more information than my PM has in two and a half years.
I’ll probably have other questions, but that’s it for now. Have a blessed day!
Chris

@heisenberg34 I am getting a trial for a pain pump on 2/26 I am allergic to morphine. Any advice? I am currently on oral oxy q 6 hrs, which does, next to nothing I have quite a few areas causing pain. My doc said i can continue the oral, along with the pump Does this sound kosher? I need a lot5 of diaudid for my pain Any advice? Lauren

@laurenseavertson789 Looks like you should be getting the trial with Dilaudid (hydromorphone). Will it be by injection (what mine was)? They shot 4 mg into my intrathecal space. It took about ten minutes before I felt my pain dropping down to about a two. One word of warning… later that night I began to feel very nauseous. I ended up vomiting five or six times. I decided to have the permanent implant. Done on 4/13/2023. No relief. I am also taking Tramadol, Gabapentin, and diclofenac potassium. Can’t figure out why.
I wish you well on your trial. Let me know how it goes.

@heisenberg34 did they try anything 3else? My doc said he would try other meds or combination of meds. I got the impression, that it wouldn't be a one shot deal. Said trial would be for a week & that i could still my regular pain meds, oxy 10mg 4 times a day, along with it. Oxy 10 mg, can work for an hour? sometimes 4 or 5 hours. Nothing seems consistent Tramadol, i understand, is like a baby aspirin, & i don't know about diclofenac?? Just got out of the hospital & they gave me 1 mg of dilaudid iv, & it worked well, but they alternated with oxy 10mg. Anything less than 1 mg dilaudid, doesn't work on me. Of course, it goes into to a different space. Did the doctor try anything else? What a bummer. I am so sick of this pain, i just lay in bed & able to get up for short periods. oral oxy, doesn't cut it Now i'm getting nervous..... I am fused from C3 thru my sacrum & so tired of it all. Do you have any other options???

@laurenseavertson789 Okay, that's a lot to digest. I am truly sorry that you, and all of us, have to suffer with all this pain. Let me clarify... is your trial with a device that gets taped to your back for a week? I wish they had done that to me. I had two trials, first with morphine. That did nothing. Then, two weeks later, they injected dilaudid. That worked great. I have tried to get oxy for my pain. I guess because I have the pump, it is not an option. It might actually help me. LOL It sounds like your doctors are empathetic and caring. That's so important. My pain doc seems pretty indifferent. Not willing to go out of his way to try anything different. If I have any other options, he has not mentioned it. I hope your trial goes really great. BTW, I am 78 so my days here on Earth are limited, so I am grateful the life I have enjoyed.

@heisenberg34 I am allergic to Morphine & even have a tolerance for Dilaudid. Yes, think it will be taped to my back. I have had very severe pain for 25 plus years. I don't no about you, but there isn't much i can do with all the hardware. No more prolonged walking, both shoulders are bad. There are a lot of pain docs around here. Can u try someone else? Guess that they get immune, & don't want to deal with us?? I don't know.. I am worried that it won't help me. I haven't done much of anything for 20 plus years. I also have a permanent subpubic catheter & get constant multi drug induced infections. I am running out of antibiotics & in & out of the hospital for the infections etc. No fun, per say It's really hard, especially being single Are you married? many friends.?.. I don't fine most people too accepting of my limitations. I've become quite isolated. Also, can't hold my head up

I am very sorry that you still have all your pain. I can imagine that I may be in your situation before long... walking with a cane, walker, or even in a wheelchair. I was hoping for a few more years of less pain and better mobility. Of course, there are no guarantees. The rain falls on both the wicked and the righteous. Have a blessed day, as much as possible.

Chris

@laurenseavertson789 Try to have a positive attitude. You are made in the image of God. That’s no small thing. This upcoming trial may be just what you need. I am married to a wonderful gal (34 years and counting), so I am blessed that way. I will pray that your trial goes well. Private message me a couple of days into your trial. Please.

@laurenseavertson789 Hi Lauren, I’ve been quietly following you, Chris, and Archie for a little bit. I’ve just started my journey to try and get an intrathecal pain pump. I’m married to a wonderful man who takes great care of me but I’m home alone all day M-F while he’s at work. I don’t have any family near by and no friends. Just two little dogs who keep me company. I never leave the house because just getting up to go to the bathroom is so painful. I’ve had horrible thoracic and lumbar pain for eight years. I’ve tried every possible way to try and get some relief from pain but the only thing that helps somewhat is oral Oxycodone-Acetaminophen 10-325. Even then it seems to only take the edge off my pain to keep me from crying. I have an upcoming appointment for more thoracic facet joint injections but the rest of my spine hurts so much it’s kinda like slapping a bandaid on a hemorrhage. Some days it gets really hard to deal with. Anyway, I hope your trial goes really well. I just wanted to say hello.