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Has anyone had a interthecal pain pump implanted?
Chronic Pain | Last Active: Sep 25, 2023 | Replies (8)Comment receiving replies
I do not have a pain pump implant, but do have a neurostimulator implant in my back which helps me urinate I am on the second one because the first one was not MRI friendly. Because I sleep on my back like I am in a coffin, (I don't move once I fall asleep, and the fact that I have lost 25 percent of my body weight, the implant now protrudes from my back. This creates a great deal of pain, thus the opiate use. Ice helps as well. While an offer has been made to remove the device, I want to keep it because it helps. I do not know how pain pumps feel or where they are implanted, but those I know who have them find them very helpful. Good luck!
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I am having my pain pump implanted on Wednesday. Sorry you have had such a difficult time. I hope your doctor is a pain specialist. You should have had a trial first. Usually involves one or two injections of whatever medication they will be using in the pump. My first injection did nothing for my pain (an 8 that day). Two weeks later I had the second injection. Within a few minutes, I could feel the pain draining out of my body until I was at about a 2 pain level. I was scheduled to meet with the neurosurgeon. He spent quite a bit of time with me and provided a pack of info that explained everything that would be done, including preop stuff and post op care and limitations. I also have a SCS by Nevro. I also had one from Medtronics that stopped working after 3 years. The Nevro has done nothing to help my pain. All this should have been explained to you by your pain specialist/neurosurgeon. I wish you well.