Does anyone have this? This is an option for me and I am nervous about it. My sister had said something about hearing the 10 year study showed some to become paralyzed but my Dr. said that is baloney. Anyway, I've tried everything. I am post fusion twice. Wish I never did that. I started w/disectomy/laminectomy first. I've tried the stimulator implant and failed due to nerve damage. I've had epidural steriod injections (no relief and went manic from the steriod) I've had rhizotomies (they helped some but wear off) I have had injections into the nerves going down my legs. I've done trigger points (joke). I'm at my wits end. I am especially terrible during winter with pain. I know I should move, but everyone is here. Anyway, I am looking for all feedback anyone has about the morphine pump. For the most part I am anti-narcotic but I just can't live that way anymore. I was on this narcotic 2 years ago called Actiq that put me through hell and back with withdrawls/dependancy. So i've stayed away---all the while suffering--from narcotics. Lately I've had to give in and take hydrocodine (dilaudid) as needed. So I am seriously considering this pump since the narcotic goes right to the source and you apparently need less meds and don't get the affects to your brain. I'd just like to hear both the good and bad from people who had this.Thanks!
Hi. I have the morphine pump and have had it for about 2 years. I have nothing negative to say about it and highly recommend getting it done. I was in so much pain prior to the implant that I was seriously considering throwing in the towel and just giving up. I get wonderful relief with it...for the original reason it was put it. In fact, that pain is almost non-existant now and what pain I do have is caused by different problems. The only side effects I have had are some swelling (that has passed) and I perspire pretty badly now but other than that I have no complaints.
I hope this helps....if you have other questions, please feel free to ask.
Thank you two for the post. I am very interested in this pump. I am on the whole list of painkillers, methadone, vicadin, neurontin etc. The pills cost close to a thousand a month. I have yet to have a surgery, and am very nervous about it. Being on so many pills and building up tolerance, i am not sure how I will deal with the pain of an operation. If there are anymore people that have had this pump, please take a second and tell us more. Thank you. LD
Yes thanks for the info. I'd love to hear from more people. As for the person not having surgery yet. I cannot say whether or not surgery would work for you..but I wish I NEVER went that route. It made me so much worse. Whenever they go into your back you risk nerves being irritated, scar tissue etc. which is what happened to me and made me worse. I have sciatica now and terrible nerve pain that I didn't have. So now I still have my back pain--it didn't fix me at all--and I have the other pain! So much worse! I'd go for the pump probably before surgery! sad to say. Or even the spinal stimulator. I tried that but with the nerve damage it didn't work. The impulses wouldn't go to the right nerves since they were damaged.
While I understand what you are saying, sometimes surgery isn't a choice we make. Sometimes it is the only option we have because the spine is unstable or because nerves are being pinched so badly that the legs are losing strength or because the leg pain is horrendous. And believe it or not, there are a lot more successful surgeries than failures. It's just that you don't hear about those because there aren't any boards set up to talk about the successful surgeries. Those folks are out enjoying the new lease on life that surgery gave them. I was one of those people after my first fusion...back to work, out dancing on weekends, taking care of 4 kids by myself...a busy, full, life until another vehicle rear-ended me. I do agree that surgery should not be done unless there is absolutely no other option open to you.
Linear Mode
