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Change of medicine in Intrathecal pump for Chronic back pain
Hi, I broke my back on a Navy ship in 1982, drank alot after that to numb the pain. In 1997 I fell which resulted in a re-fracture of the same vertebrae I broke in 82 and in 1998 I had a Level 3 fusion/disc replacement. Next 7 years tried different doctor recommended things until one told me of the pump. I've had this pump for over 20 years, I've tried Marcane, Prialt, Morphine and for the past 6 years Hydromorphone, I am now considering the last thing available to me: fentanyl in the pump for my back pain. My question is, I'm so leery of trying fentanyl from what I've read/heard about it in the news/Tv and all those who've died from it, If I change to fentanyl, will I have any side effects like withdrawals from Hydromorphone or get sick at the start on the fentanyl?
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Please think a long time before you try the fentanyl. I would not try it if it were me because of the risk. I had a friend who was using because the doctor subscribed it to her. She told me the entire story about what it took to get her off of the drug. It was a horror story. She went through all the withdrawals, and it was a sad sad moment to hear about it. She told me to never try it no matter how bad the pain is. That is only a story I am relating, but it is up to you. I’m sure you will do what you need to do.
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1 ReactionThanks for your input. I can relate, I went down and shut the pump off to try medical marijuana (gave that 4 tries-got high each time and no pain relief) and I had hydromorphone withdrawals for 5 months, it was hell. So I had another pump implanted this past april and the withdrawals went away soon after that when the pump was activated with HM. I'm 64, living with chronic pain for 42 years, just don't know and I"m afraid of fentanyl from what i"ve read and heard,
Thanks again for your input
Arkynut.
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1 ReactionDoes anyone out there with an implanted pain pump know what their daily dose is? I am at 0.9 mg daily. Apparently, this is a very low dosage, so I am having it increased. I discovered that my trial with an injection of hydromorphone was about 4 mg. I know that's high, but I was told that some pump users are at a level of 5.0 and 6.0 mg daily. I am anxious to find out how much many of you are at, especially for a therapeutic dose.
Would you be a candidate for a spinal stimulator? I had acute lower back pain for over 4 decades and it relieved 80%.
If you haven’t had a discussion with your doctors about it I’d certainly bring it up. They try a temporary one first to see if it works for you. Certainly better than drugs. Good luck
I broke my back L1 in 1986. I have had three back surgeries and during the last my dura was torn which led to a large spinal fluid leak. This caused me to develop Adhesive Arachnoiditis. I went to see a pain specialist and she recommended I start taking Methadone. I have found that this works very well for my pain. I did try a Fentanyl patch and it made me feel awful
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1 ReactionYes, I've also got a stimulator implanted, it helps alot for sure! thanks for your input
Hello, I've had my pump for over 20 years, just had it replaced after trying an alternate pain program that didn't help few months ago, (I'll never do that again- withdrawals were hell) so I"m starting back up as well, I've been up to 8mg in the past, right now I'm at 0.1399 going back up to 5 or so most likely.
Wow! 8 mg sounds really high. Is that the level that gave you pain relief? I can only have my pump increased once a month so it's going to take quite a while to get up to 4 mg. Living with my neuropathic pain is the worst. I pray that we each can find at least some relief.
Yes, I think 10 is the max but not sure, when I was at 8 the constipation was so bad I said no more and went back down to around 5-6 but still constipation is life long with this type of medicine. I'm slowly going up too after getting a replacement pump last April so it will take about 1.5 to 2 years to get back to where I was. I have chronic back pain. I will pray also for us.
I did construction most of my life until I went on disability for back pain. That was when I was 55 now I’m 74 and pain has increased every year since. I’ve had multiple surgeries, everyone you can name. Last December 2024 my spine broke (compression fracture) and there is metal in my back that looks like the Eiffel towers. No relief at all. Spinal cord stimulator I’ve tried it all and nothing worked. Now I’m going to have test injections for intrathecal pain pump. I cannot stand for more than 10 minutes, or sit for 15 minutes, and walking is near impossible. With everything I’ve tried I’m very doubtful about the pump. What happens if this doesn’t work? I’m at my wits end and I don’t like the thoughts I’m having. The pain is unbearable and I feel like no one believes me. I have seen the best doctors I could find.
If anyone would like tell me their thoughts you can post here or contact me at I’m 74 years old and had problems getting on this site. Hope I can again. Thanks
Gary