My dad injured his back in September of 1997. He's had 3 back surgerys one being a fusion. Nothing helped. About 2 years ago he got a morphine pump. It's under the skin. He goes to his doctor's almost every month to get it adjusted. The doctor keeps saying he'll be free of pain anytime. I'm starting to lose hope. Any advice?

I wish I could say I could help but have never needed to go to such extreemes to cope with pain. I to have had 3 ops the 3rd a double fusion. It took me 12 months to be free enough of pain to function normally. I still get pain but its very managable and we are talking 14 years post op. This has been exasperated of late with a bulge at L/3 L/4. I wish you all the best. Its so hard when a Drs timeline for your recovery is so openended and vague

Good luck

Losy :rolleyes:

Please go down to the pain management board and post a question regarding this to shoreline?he has one of these pumps and knows soooo much about it.I am sure he would be more than happy to answer any questions you have.he is amazing in his overall knowledge of anything pain management related.hope your dad finds some relief real soon.Marcia

After Two Sugeries The Last A Plif The Pain Is Bad .i Had To Use A Time Release Form Of Morphine. The Side Effects And Withdrawals Are Very Bad. I Hope To Never Have To Use Morphine Again. From What The Dr. Says It Can Take Along Time To Heal. His P.a. Told Me That With Fusions The Disc Just Above & Below Ussually Go Next. Hope This Helps Some. Mnmhub

I have the pump and and get a great deal of relief with it. The trick is a competent doctor who is not afraid to tweak it. Do you know how many mm. your dad is getting a day? Since he is still in pain, do you know how high the levels are on a scale of 1 to 10? Has his pain been reduced by at least 50% since he has the pump?

My best advise is that if his dr. is not working with him to get him more comfortable, he should look around for a good pm who will not be afraid to give him somewhat higher dosages.

Please let me know....I am most interested.

Carol

I have the pump and and get a great deal of relief with it. The trick is a competent doctor who is not afraid to tweak it. Do you know how many mm. your dad is getting a day? Since he is still in pain, do you know how high the levels are on a scale of 1 to 10? Has his pain been reduced by at least 50% since he has the pump?

My best advise is that if his dr. is not working with him to get him more comfortable, he should look around for a good pm who will not be afraid to give him somewhat higher dosages.

Please let me know....I am most interested.

Carol

His pain level differs throughout the day. he is at 9 1/2mm right now which is the highest the doctor has tweaked it so far. He is still very much in pain. He also takes percecet for the pain which does not help.