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I have a Pain pump with Morphine, I'm still in so much Pain
Chronic Pain | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (46)Comment receiving replies
@jthomas - The catheter goes directly from pump, around my waist and into the intrathecal space, that contains your CSF(spinal fluid, that bathes your spine in the medication. It does the entire spine and cannot be directed to your feet and legs. If the nerves for your leg & foot are exposed to it, then it should help them. The pump doesn’t provide general pain relief to your systemic pain, just the nerves exposed in the intrathecal space. I still have toe pain. No doctor can tell if it’s a neuropathy or radicular(pain radiating down your leg to foot. It has limited my toe pain from all toes, to just the big toe. However I also have a spinal cord stimulator(SCS) that when set to Tingle mode(which is like a TENS unit, but does a significantly bigger area, it vibrates my entire lower body from waist to toes. While it’s running I don’t have toe or knee pain and my knee is getting replaced in a month. I hope that helps. If you need to ask more, do it. I try to keep on Mayo connect. It’s the best patient platform I’ve found in my 19 year pain journey. In the pictures, you’ll see my hip replacement, drug pump, then SCS . The rest is my spine. Was in 9+ pain before it. Got down to a 5. Now I’m getting use to the dosage and have climbed back up to 6.5-7. If you get a Medtronic pump, i emplore you to get the 40ml unit, not the 20. Half the refill trips.
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@bilt4pain Yes, that helps a lot. My surgeon’s note says "The procedure involves placing the catheter at T9-10 for back pain and slightly lower for leg pain.” I also have knee and foot pain, so thanks for explaining this to me. I spent a few years going from doctor to doctor asking is it neuropathy or radiculopathy? It’s interesting to hear that I am not the only one, because so many doctors looked at me like I was the only person they had met like me. I’m starting with saline in the pump, and then moving to extremely low doses of hydromorphone and bupivicaine, so I guess it will be a while before know how much pain relief I might get, and what pains won’t be touched by the pain pump.
Since I’m asking questions, the doctors notes also say "The patient was informed about the possibility of infection, device-related complications such as catheter kinking or breaking, and the need for a binder post-surgery to prevent fluid accumulation. He was advised to avoid strenuous activities for a minimum of 6 weeks post-surgery to allow for proper healing. The patient was also educated about the potential for headaches due to spinal fluid leakage and the importance of bed rest and caffeine intake to manage this symptom. The risk of nerve damage was discussed, although it is very uncommon.” Anything about the post-surgery limitations you think I should know. I’m just thinking no bending lifting or twisting, just like all my previous back surgeries.
I am curious about the size of the pump. I get the impression I am getting the 20ml, but it hasn’t been discussed. I’m not sure where I got the idea it’s going to be the 20 ml, but I might have read it in some of the previous doctor’s notes, or I might have heard the doctor say something to the nurse about it. I guess I should ask. Thanks so much for helping me with realistic expectations. I feel like that is one of the more important parts about surgery because I feel like the surgeons don’t always do a good job setting expectations.