Hey everyone, I'm a newbie and have a question for anyone that knows something about it.
I have had chronic dual-site mixed level back pain for seven years. I have tried all the conservative therapies, surgery, ESI's, oral meds, PT, etc. I now have gastroparesis from all the oral morphine and narcotics. Now I can't take any orals at all. Here's the problem. I have two docs that say I need the morphine pump to get the meds I need. My pain doc (the only one in the area) says that I qualify for it on all accounts, except one, my age. I am 40 years old. He also mentioned that younger, long term pump patients have more complications and pump replacements than the older patients. Therefore, he will not under any circumstance implant it. OK, has anyone 40 or younger had the pump implanted? What were the results? Any ideas on why this doctor is saying this?
Any ideas on how to deal with this situation? Are there any doctors, other than pain docs that implant & follow up on the pumps?
Sorry for the long post, but I am beyond frustration with this guy. Thanks for your help.

Hi Sail dancer, I've been investigating the pump for a couple years now, Him and hawing about it at least. Age was never even brought up. Pumps do need to be replaced every 3-5 years depending on the pump flow rate. You can contact medtronics yourself and ask for a list of docs certified by medtronics.

Hopefully you will find other docs in your area that are certified and you can consult with them. If your pain could be managed with oral meds would you still be asking about the pump.? Is your doc doing everything he can, Have you tried Duragesic, it's supposed to be easier on your bowels,less constipation.

I'm only 36 and Presently take 600mgs of MSContin a day and use dilaudid for BT pain. Prescription Kristolose or generic Lactalose solved my constipation problems too. I'm comfy as long as I'm sedentary but once on my feet it's just a matter of time before I have to lay down.I hope to do a trial this fall and hope it gives me better pain control from my failed fusion. L1-S1.

You want an agressive PM doc whether he's managing oral meds or the pump. I have never heard of age stopping someone from having a pump implant. If you can't tolerate the orals it seems to be the next step. You can get a list of docs by contacting medtronics at www.medtronics.com (http://www.medtronics.com)
Good luck, David

[This message has been edited by davidc66 (edited 08-13-2002).]

Thanks David. I had checked with the PM on the pump about a year ago as I had been taking oral Morphine for so long and thought that the pump might be an option. I got the same response from him then also. Now that the situation is a little different, I really have no other choice than the pump since it delivers such a small fraction of what I am currently taking. If I were able to take the orals, I probably would continue on them and leave the pump as a last resort. I did check the Medtronics site and there are a couple of options. One is drive two hours to get to a PM that uses the pumps or move back to my parents house (temporarily), which is 5 hours away, since they have an aggressive PM there that is familiar with my case. Going to think on that for a while. The state of AR has been pretty rough on the pain docs here and I think that may be one of the reasons behind his reluctance, besides the fact that he likes those 15 minute $1000 shots!
Thanks again for your response. It really helps to know that I really am somewhat sane and that the Doc may be a little off! LOL


[This message has been edited by saildancer (edited 08-13-2002).]

Dancer and David as you can see i have pulled this post out from the archives and was intereseted to see if either of you have had this procedure done yet and if so could you tell me how it went?

By the way i am only in my 30's and my Docs also were weary of doing the pump at such a young age..

But alas to say they are doing it, It is now my only optin other than having almost no life like i'm having now..

Tiddgys x

------------------
lower Lumber probs.
L2 Bulging, But Docs will not touch as there is no nerve trouble there.
3 Level fusion L3-L4 L4-L5 L5-S1
No better after fusion.
2 Discograms
Loss of bladder control (OK NOW )
Lots of physio..
2 MRI'S
Water Theraphy..
1 Bone scan
1 Cat Scan
Loads of ESI'S
lots of Mediacation and i'm allergic to most of them..
Now Under P/M CONSUTANT HAVE BEEN FOR THE PASS SIX MONTHS..
Need Friends and Comfort, with the odd laugh..

Hey guys,
Thanks for replying to my questions. I did find a PM that would implant the pump and had it done in February. I am sooo very happy with it at this point. Had to start at a very low dose, but it is steadily getting to where it should be. I haven't had any problems except that the site is a little tender. I can handle that compared to the back pain.
I am back to work full time as well as sailing and biking. I hadn't done any of that is quite some time. I would highly recommend the pump if you have no other alternatives for pain management.
Thank you all again for your care and concern. Best of luck to you all.
Kay

Hello Kay..

Great to see you and to see how happy you are..

Would you mind sharing your experience of the pump experience with me, the more i know the better i feel..

love tiddgys x

------------------
lower Lumber probs.
L2 Bulging, But Docs will not touch as there is no nerve trouble there.
3 Level fusion L3-L4 L4-L5 L5-S1
No better after fusion.
2 Discograms
Loss of bladder control (OK NOW )
Lots of physio..
2 MRI'S
Water Theraphy..
1 Bone scan
1 Cat Scan
Loads of ESI'S
lots of Mediacation and i'm allergic to most of them..
Now Under P/M CONSUTANT HAVE BEEN FOR THE PASS SIX MONTHS..
Need Friends and Comfort, with the odd laugh..