~~~~Sharon1030~~~~~ - Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Message Board

cattys · 10-22-2003, 01:57 PM

Hi Sharon, How are you doing? I hope good.

I don't know if I asked you this before or not but I'll ask again anyway, Does your pain pump still work well for you or has your body gotten use to it and how long have you had it?

Sorry for all the questions. I hope you are having a pain tolerable day.

Take Care
Cattys

sharon1030 · 10-22-2003, 07:15 PM

Hi cattys,

I'm so glad you asked. Never worry about asking me any questions. How's your leg, by the way. I know you were supposed to go to the doc Monday.

I've had the pump for almost two and a half years and I still LOVE it. It works really well for me. They usually increase it every time I go to have it refilled which is now, every two months. It got to where I was going for refills every month because they kept increasing it so the pump would empty faster. (I hope this makes sense) So, she ordered a higher concentration (double what it had been) and for now, I won't have to go back for two months. As the increases occur, that time in between will diminish and I guess she'll order a higher concentration again.

It's been absolutely the BEST thing I have ever done for the RSD. I have morphine and bupivicaine in it. The bupivicaine is almost like having a constant block in a way. It's not as strong, but it's still kind of like a block. I've noticed that since the pump, my legs aren't as purple and don't turn as hot as they did. I never thought that the pump would help that. I also noticed that I'm not sweating as much. I'm sure all of this has to do with the bupivicaine.

Are your docs talking about a pump for you? Before I had mine put in, he did a trial. My trial was one injection (I guess of morphine) right into the spinal area and then I had to chart my pain levels for the next day. I stayed in the hospital for about fifteen hours and went home that night. I've heard of other trials where people have a temp pump that they go home with. It's a longer trial. Kind of like the stim trial I had. Maybe you had the same type of trial for your stim. Any other questions, please let me know. I'd be happy to answer any that I can. Hope your leg is feeling better.

Sharon

cattys · 10-23-2003, 03:44 PM

Hi Sharon, how are you this evening? I hope good.

Thanks so much for the reply. That is great that after 2 and a half years the pump still works well for you. I hope you have many, many more years of relief with it.

Someday in the future this will proboly be a option for me. I have heard of the stimulator loosing effect after a while and wondered if the pump was the same way.

Where is ypour resevoir implanted for the meds? Is it in your belly? If it is can you tell it is there and can you see it bulging or anything.

I hope you have a good evening.

((((Gentle Hugs))))
Cattys

cattys · 10-23-2003, 03:49 PM

Im sorry I forgot to answer your ? about my leg. I did go to a orthopedic dr. and he said that it will proboly take a couple months to heal and that I have tissue and muscle damage from the fall.

These lacerations just won't heal. My leg gets so purple all around the area of injury. I just have to keep taking antibiotics for infection. Thank you for asking Sharon your a sweety.

Take care
Cattys

sharon1030 · 10-23-2003, 07:54 PM

Hi cattys,

Wow, that was some fall. I'll pray for no infection. I read in another post that your battery is bulging from the stim. I also have that from the pump. It's in my abdomen-all the way to the left and the top of it is at my waist (where you bend). Sometimes it does bother me, but that usually goes away. I do know it's there though. And if I wear pants with a non-elastic waist, sometimes, it will rub and bother me, but let me tell you that it is soooo worth it.

I know your doc doesn't think you need any meds because you have the stim. Would he be the one putting the pump in if you needed it? I've also read about the stim loosing effectiveness, but I don't think you have to worry about that with the pump. I'm not sure, but I don't think so. They can always increase it. I don't think there's any limit to increasing the meds. Like I said, any other questions about the pump, feel free to ask. I hope your legs feel better soon. I know what you mean about the purple around the cuts. Happens to me too. All blothchy, right?

Sharon