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Severe chronic pain and Intrathecal pain pump
I’m 57 and I’ve been dealing with severe chronic thoracic and lumbar spinal pain for the past eight years. I’ve recently developed myelopathy and radiculopathy in both areas that is excruciating most of the time. I’ve been taking oxycodone-acetaminophen 10-325 for quite awhile. It’s been helpful but with my recent changes, I’m getting a lot of breakthrough pain. I want to talk to my doctor about an Intrathecal pain pump with Dilaudid to help be recover some semblance of my life. I can no longer stand but for only a few minutes, can’t walk across my house, I’m no longer able to drive or even leave my house. Because of my chronic, worsening spinal pain, I’ve become so depressed. Can anyone recommend a Mayo neurosurgeon who could help me? I think a pain pump might be the best option for me. All my doctors are in Jacksonville Mayo Clinic but I’m willing to try and go to Minneapolis if I need to.
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After years of lumbar back pain and four (4) back surgeries in my life, I was thinking of a spinal cord stimulator or pain pump. Many Doctors said the stimulator was only about 50% effective, The Pain Doctor recommended the Medtronics Pain Pump (model #8667-20), had it install this past Feb 2026. Have had no relief. The Doctor increased the Morphine dosage, which led to severe edema and additional neuropathy pain in my legs. Had to load up on Torsemide for edema, and that made me lethargic. Stenosis pain intolerable especially standing and walking. Doctor said we should try Dilaudid. I've decided to have the Medtronic removed. It has also been moving in my body and is presently upside down. Should I try Dilaudid or removal?
I am so sorry to read of your pain issues. I’m sure you will receive comments both pro & con for keeping it & having it removed. Ultimately it will come down to you making the decision. My personal opinion is that I would have it taken out. Over the last few years, my pain doc has mentioned a SCS even though I said I wasn’t interested. In my case, I believe they have nothing left to offer me for pain, regardless of whether they think it will help! At the end of the day, all you can do is weigh the pros & cons as it applies to you. Good luck whatever your decision.
@jsb932l I did the trial with morphine, no relief. Then, I did the trial with Dilaudid. Great pain relief. So, I went ahead with the permanent implant. After three and a half years, no pain relief. I know that the success rate with Dilaudid is very high, so I would give it a try. If no help. the get it removed.
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1 Reaction@jsb932l - I would try the Dilaudid. That’s what I have in mine. I’ve only had it a couple of months, so I don’t know if it’s going to work for me yet. But, I have had zero side effects from the Dilaudid. I still only get about 50 mcg of Dilaudid per day, so I have pretty far to go before I know if it going to work for me. If the pump is causing you other problems, maybe reconsider.
Curious if any of you who had the Medtronics Pain Pump and had pain relief, do you also suffer from neuropathy? My physical therapists said the pain pump will not cure neuropathy pain in the legs, so if my pain is more from neuropathy than my back, I should just have it taken out. ???
@jthomas458 That's a fairly small amount. I was up to almost 4.1 mg of Dilaudid without any pain relief.