Has anyone had a interthecal pain pump implanted?

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!

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.

You be under general during the surgery. The pump will likely be set at its lowest setting initially. If that dosage is not adequate, you will return to your pain specialist and that will use a wireless device plced over the pump to increase the dosage. You may have to have the pump readjusted a few times before optimal pain relief is achied. Until such point is achieved, you will likely continue to take your oral meds. There is at least a 2 week post op period during which you should not bend, twit, lift your arm over your head, or lift more than 5 lbs. In some cases you may have to wear a supporting brace for the initial 2 weeks.

Thank you for this information.
I plan to discuss a pain pump for myself as an alternative to the opiates I take on a daily basis to manage my back/device pain, among other things. The hepatologist I recently met with advised me that my long term opiate use can probably be attributed to my bile duct issues. My pharmacist has recommended a pain patch, but my doctor is disinclined to offer them to me, even though I was on them for many years previously.
Best of luck to you, and thank you again for this very good information. The pain from my implant is relentless, but since it works so well I will have it kept in place.

So, you're saying that your SCS implant helps mitigate your pain, but actually hurts? Someone was not diligent in placing the device. The device should not give you any pain. At most, perhaps a little pain if you push on it. I would check the the surgeon who did the original implant. This just doesn't sound right. I have had two, different SCSs and neither one gave me any pain. Something is rotten in Denmark.

I too had a long battle with insurance I do understand that you forget about the stuff that they tell you during your trial if you have to wait a long period between your trail and when you actually get the pain pump. And that's exactly what happened to me. But I do have a pre-op surgery appointment in my case I wish I didn't have cuz it's a two hour drive but at any rate that it is on the 28th of this month and my surgery is scheduled for the 10/6/23 . Anyways just wondering how did everything go with your surgery since it's been a little bit now hopefully you can tell me how it's went with you as far as pain relief and how you feel about the procedure and the pain really if you've gotten so far?

My pain pump surgery went off without a hitch. In and out in less than a day. They started me out on the lowest dose, so there was no pain relief. As the dosages were increased, I only felt significant relief (down to about a 2) after about the 5th adjustment. I felt great for about a week, and then the pain returned. I went back and had the dsage upped again. Since then, I am not feeling a relief from the pump. Even giving myself a bolus (extra boost of meds) does not seemto help. I will be seeing a new pain specialist since we have moved. He has some new things to try. Hoping something works.

I’ve had my pain pump for several months now. They begin at the lowest setting and up it each week until you get some relief. I’m starting to finally get a little. Mine is in my back since I’m 5’ 11” I’ve. Had three pump refills and didn’t feel a thing. I waited two years to get it due to insurance and other problems. They gave me norco to get over the pain of having it put in. My surgeon says where he placed the wire it will help my back pain and my neck pain. The. PRN says most likely only my low back pain. I hope you are getting some relief. One of my biggest concerns is if there is a problem do they help in a timely manor. Also if I go to the hospital how they will handle it. They can’t even get my meds right now.