The spinal stimulator and the pain pump are two different things and I can't imagine wanting both., I was first tested to see if the stimulator would work. It did not. Next I had a spinal tap, {painless}, where a small amount of Hydromorphone was injected into my spinal fluid to see if it would bring relief. It did so a surgery was scheduled. I was in hospital for a little more than one day. My oral drugs were decreased radically, almost overnight. I never experienced any withdrawal symptoms which did not surprise me as I never abused my oral meds. (Don't get high, don't get addicted. No addiction, no withdrawal. Many doctors do not agree with me about that and perhaps my case is unique.} The pump is good for 5 or more years. Some get it refilled every 12 weeks, some like me need it done after 10 weeks. The narcotic in the pump can get old and loss there effectiveness. A needle is inserted through the skin into the reservoir and the old meds removed. New meds are added via the same needle stick.

I would recommend having Genesight Testing, {brand name} done beforehand. It will tell you which narcotics your body will metabolize well increasing the probability that they will work for you. If your doc doesn't like gene mapping, Genesight can hook you up with a doc to do it. It's just a check swab and is covered by most insurance and medicare. {Genesite testing will also tell you which drugs for depression, mode problems and other mental diseases will be best for you, should you ever need such drugsI like Hydromorphone or as it is also known Dilaudid which is a very clean synthetic heroin. Much stronger than morphine which didn't ever work for me. With hydromorphone I experience no side effects. We're talking about 4mg. per day plus another .9 mg that I can self administer with a remote over 10 doses in 24 hours. This works better for me than the 200mg of oxycontin, 32 mg of dilaudid and the 20 mg of valium I used to eat everyday which dulled my brain, my balance and tied my guts in knots. If getting all the pills you could want is a new Chevrolet, getting a pain pump is a new top of the line Mercedes Benz and your own chauffer. Need I say more?