Pain pump, I have one, how about one for you?
I have had an implanted pain pump in my abdomen for about 18 months. It is a miracle. I get a total of 4.764 mgs. of Dilaudid, If I administer all of the 10 extra micro does I can have in 24 hours. If I don't use those extra doses I get 2.74 mgs. over 24 hours. The effect is 300 times more effective than if I took the same dose orally. I go to my doctors office every 3 months to have the pump refilled. I'm there for about 15 minutes. The actual process of refilling the pump takes no more than 5 minutes and is painless. No prescriptions to worry about, no one wondering if I'm misusing or selling my pain meds, no one making me feel like a drug addict or a criminal. In our current climate this is even more important than it was two years ago. Many Doctors want nothing to do with pain patients or writing scripts for pain meds. I know many of you have been there. This method is especially good for back issues as the drug is delivered via a catheter which runs up my spin. Yes, I still have pain but it's pain I can live with. If your Doctor doesn't know about this or doesn't want to do it contact a pain clinic. The Doctor who put mine in is a Neurosurgeon. If you have any questions please respond.
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.
I am still trying to find a doctor in your area who can help with the pain pump and the refilling of it.
I guess the Feds have the Drs running scared when it comes to opioids. It seems like it's all or nothing and the legitimate patients who need to use them for pain are just screwed. I'm one of them. Get the dealers off the streets and get help, not jail, for the addicts. If I were taking opioids and ever happened to become physically dependent, I'd ask my Dr to help me wean.
Not always the Feds. The states are informing Doctors i what percentile they rank for prescribing opioids. I think what the really dire cases need to do is find a doctor who considers their treatment as palliative. You don't need to be terminal i the short run but you have to described as someone who will be in pain for the rests of their lives. That is how my doctor classifies my treatment.
@rsj How are you doing tonight? Do you have a caseworker you can contact about getting help in figuring out your pain situation?
How can I help?
Ginger
@rsj You are beyond tired and you, "just go home to be with my Lord."
I'm wondering if you would call for help before you enacted these plans? Do you feel you can keep yourself safe right now?
You mentioned having issues with not being able to get ahold of your methadone provider. It sounds like you need an advocate. I'm wondering if you have a disability social worker that could help you obtain needed medical care?
To starfirey2k:
There is a medication called Robaxin. A little over a year ago I had neck surgery to remove and replace a disc at c4/c5. I had one shot of Dilaudid after surgery, then was put on Robaxin the rest of the way. Had zero pain. I've been using it since the fentanyl was taken away. It's an old "muscle" relaxant. It doesn't really relax you, but it blocks the pain signal that's sent to your brain. I couldn't figure out why I hadn't heard of it before. I take 750 mg.'s every 6 hours. I've even gotten it at a local immediate care facility. Any doctor should be willing to prescribe it. Thank's to all for your support. You are so right Hank. Anytime the government steps it it's trouble!!! I unfortunately may not be here for Christmas. I have a strong faith, yet being forced to die? They will stand before my Lord someday and give an account of what they've done.
Thank you will look into this...hope you are doing ok. be safe
@rsj You feel hopeless however you are reaching out, which makes me believe all hope is not gone.
Mayo Clinic Connect is a place to get and give support. It's our job as moderators to keep members safe and maintain the health of the community.
You need support. It sounds like you feel that you have no other option than to "die." As I mentioned, Mayo Clinic Connect is a place to give and get support. Are you willing to get support from members, mentors, and moderators to try to support you through this difficult time?
If you would please answer my questions below.
I'm wondering if you would call for help before you enacted these plans? Do you feel you can keep yourself safe right now?
@rsj
I am with Erika @erikas on this, you absolutely should have an advocate in your life to help you figure out your pain med problem. Also, a live person (aside from Connect) to listen to you and offer you some support. Please tell us who you have in your life? Speaking for people here on Connect I can tell you we want you to continue living. You are finding yourself in darkness right now, but the light will come. You are a person of faith and I know that deep in your heart you know this.
Please respond and tell us about who, if anyone, you can talk to, get support from in your life? If nobody, perhaps we can help you find the help you need. If you want to discuss this privately with me, please use the private message utility. Click this link and scroll to "How to send a private message" https://connect.mayoclinic.org/get-started-on-connect/ and contact someone here. Life can be excruciating hard and cruel sometimes, but just don't give up, please. Best, Hank
@julrice1 I'd like to extend my welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I saw in another discussion that your daughter is considering getting a pain pump. May I ask what her providers have presented as a pros/cons and risks/benefits related to the surgery?