info on intrathecal drug therapy - Pain Management Message Board

kvn60640 · 04-08-2004, 10:49 AM

Hi. Im wondering if anyone has had intrathecal drug therapy and how they felt about it. Its the implant in the spine. I suffer from extreme sciatica pain and am tired of the oral application. This is due to a 15mm herniation of the L5/S1 disc which was crushing my nerve root. I have since had a laminotomy/microdiscectomy which was mildy successful. Im not in as much pain as before surgery but considering I couldnt walk more than ten or twenty feet without dropping to my knees that isnt saying much. Im now considering this intrathecal drug therapy and would love some input and opinions from others. Thank you for reading this. I wish us all to be pain free in the immediate future.
Kevin

lindao1 · 04-08-2004, 11:14 AM

Hi Kevin

I had the pump implanted last year but due to complications, had it removed a month later. I'm not one to give you an ultimate success story. But I will say that a recent appt with my pm addressed using the pump again, so that should tell you that my situation was not so bad that I would never consider it again. I am considering it again and will probably go with it if insurance will pay for a second one (that's a big "if" too). Complications due occur but in rare instances. What happened to me was rare - just the luck of the draw. But like I said I am willing to try again.

There are several people on this site that have the pump and have had no trouble with it. I'm sure someone will be along to give you more info. You can always use the search mode to see what transpired previously regarding the pump. Just type in pump and it should be around July, August of last year. But let me emphasize that my experience with the pump was highly unusual. And my willingness to undergo the procedure again should tell you alot about the fact I feel it is a very worthwhile and beneficial pain management modality.

I'm sure others will be along to give you better insight into how the pump is working for them. If you have any other specific questions, I will be happy to address them, but I feel you would benefit more from someone who has a success story to tell. Good Luck, Linda

carol632 · 04-08-2004, 12:19 PM

I have the pump...and you would have to drag me kicking and screaming into surgery to remove it! It has changed my life and given me a reason to keep getting up in the mornings.

Last year this time, I was in severe pain, and medication was bringing it down to a 6-7 on the pain scales. I would get maybe 3 hours relief and was taking 2 lortab l0mg every 3 hours just to be able to make my way around the house. I fought getting the pump for 2 years and gave in last July. It was the single smartest decision concerning my back that I have ever made!

I had the in-hospital 3 day trial and got immediate relief from the unrelenting leg pain. Ten days later, the system was implanted and oh! what a difference. No more taking a pill or two and waiting for them to work so that I can go grocery shopping. No more counting pills to see if I have enough to take an extra one. No more "*****" brain.

I would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Carol

pixiepoodle · 04-08-2004, 02:22 PM

Hi Kevin,
I too have a pump (since 2/1/02) and feel exactly like Carol about mine. After being in chronic pain for 7 yrs. due to Fibromyalgia and with oral meds barely taking the edge off my pain, I happened to change from a rheumy to a pain mgmt. dr. who asked me if I was interested in getting a pain pump. I had never heard of them before and I couldn't find out fast enough. I was at a point where I would do anything to get rid of my pain (short of killing myself) and I did the trial within 1 week and had the implant the following week. WHAT A DIFFERENCE - I now have my life back.

I do believe you need to do a search on this board for "pain pump" and read all the entries because just about all of your questions will be answered. The manufacturer "Medtronics" also has a great website that is very imformative.

Just keep in mind that there is always a risk with any surgery and things that can go wrong (like an infection). I have been very, very blessed that every surgery I have had has gone well, including a breast reduction I just had a week ago. I know 5 other people who had the same surgery, including my sister, who had a much harder time recooperating and whose end results did not come out as well as mine.

Good luck to you as you research the possibility of getting a pain pump. Please keep us informed if you decide to go ahead with it.