Welcome @en517dz, I'm sure Stephen @wsh66 had the same concern as you about whether or not the pain pump will at least lower the pain where you can function. I think that is what the trial is used to determine and adjust as needed. Hopefully you will get some relief soon. How soon is your pain pump trial scheduled?

I've had my pump for 5 years. First please understand that your current dose is tiny. 3 x 5 mg. If any more is too much you are on the wrong dose. You can have Gene testing done to determine which meds you can matabolize or digest without problems. You get tested via a spinal inection to see if a given drug works. If one doesn't work they should try another. Morphine failed for me. Hydromorphone is much stronger and worked well.

I keep thinking about your current dose. When I got my pump after several surgeries was taking 220 mgs. of oxycontin, 32 mgs. of dilaudid plus 20 mg. of Valium each day and it wasn't working. I had to be declared a palliative patient and meet with a psychiatrist and a physiatrist to make sure I wasn't an addict and was not mentally ill. The surgery requires a good neurosurgeon as they threaded a catheter up you spine.

Life is livable and enjoyable but I am disabled by pain. Can walk short distances with a cane or behind a grocery cart. If I just stand or walk I will be in too much pain to continue. I have adjusted my environment and home to allow me to do out things sitting down or leaning on a stool.

The best part of the pump is no side affects from the drug. You don't digest it before
it helps you. Nothing is perfect. Oral narcotics only work for so long. Mine were failing miserably. Now I get 5 to 6 mgs. of hydromrphone every 24 hours. 1 mg. is controlled by me with a remote. 10 doses via a remote control, limited to 10 per 24 hours. Those 10 are .09 mgs. each.

I never had headaches.

I don't think you are ready for the pump if you are only taken. 3 doses of oxygen per day. That is a tiny dose. You are probably allergic to it if that is all you can tolerate. Finding pain management is harder than ever. I suggest seeing a pain specialist who understands narcotics. Then find a neurosurgeon who has done a lot of pumps. You need to also line up who will mange your pump
Every 10 to 12 weeks they put a templet on your tummy, insert a needle into the pump nipple and remove the old meds and then put in fresh meds. Then they download info from your pump.

The best we can do is make pain bearable. To that end we need to continue to do stretching and exercising hopefully with input from a good physical therapist. Even more important is maintaining mental health and doing everything we can to avoid or treat depression which includes a good diet and regular exercise. Nothing aggravates pain like depression.

I wish you the best of luck with this. If you have more questions don't hesitate to ask. Go online to Genesight.com and learn about Gene testing.

Love and Blessings Stephen