Intrathecal Pain Pump

I am in the process of getting a pain pump. I too would like to hear from people who have them already. What do you wish you knew before you got the pump? And how well has it worked for you, effectiveness and drug therapies?

I had a Medtronic intrathecal pump for 6 years. I developed a rare condition called arachnoiditis, an inflammation of the sac surrounding the spinal cord. I am unable to sit for more than 10 minutes without pain and unable to sit for more than 45 minutes to an hour at all. I am much worse off than before I had the pump placed. I realize that this complication is rare, but I think patients need to be aware of it before proceeding with pump placement.

I have had Medtronic pump, it was first implanted in 2012. I used the smallest dose available and in 13 years have had 3 minor bump ups (increased dose). In 2026, I will receive a new pump and have been totally satisfied with its performance, without I can barely get out of bed. I have had 7 joint replacements, but the pump is for failed back surgery of my lumbar spine. I was in the care of a neurosurgeon who rebuilt my neck and attempted to repair my lumbar spine. I have DDD and every disk is affected by arthritis, as well as all my joints. A friend of mine afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis similar to my condition and I say you don't make the decision is made by your pain. If you've tried every other treatment to no avail, what have you got to lose? Sometimes there are no "cards' left in the deck. Good luck to all seeking relief.

Arachnoiditis as a pump related issue may not be as rare as you think. I also have Arachnoiditis related to my pump. After 20 years of having a pump, I finally had it removed.

@morkat I'm glad that the pain pump has worked so well for you these many years. I had tried just about everything for my severe, chronic pain due to a bad ski fall in 2016. I had the Medtronic pump implanted in April of 2023 after a very successful trial using Dilaudid. I had the setting "bumped" up many times with no pain relief. I had decided last fall that I was going to reduce the setting and have it taken out. However, this spring I began thinking about how effective the trial injection was(7 down to a 2). I got the trial information and decided to take a chance and have the setting bumped up again. I am not quite back to where i was, so it will be a while before I hope to feel some relief.
How severe was your pain pre-pump? How is it post pump? I don't expect to be pain-free, but if I could get the pain down from an eight to at least a three, that would be a blessing.. It's such a slow process since I can only get the setting bumped up by ten percent each month.
Thanks for sharing your journey. Anything you can share will be greatly appreciate.

When I had my pump, the clinic was willing to see me weekly for dose changes. The downside was the cost of the clinic visits.

I guess Medicare limits how often I can see my pain management for a pump adjustment. Just $35 copay per visit. I would pay out of pocket to get this thing ramped up more quickly.

I guess Medicare limits how often I can see my pain management for a pump adjustment. Just $35 copay per visit. I would pay out of pocket to get this thing ramped up more quickly.

Arachnoiditis as a pump related issue may not be as rare as you think. I also have Arachnoiditis related to my pump. After 20 years of having a pump, I finally had it removed.