resistance to a Pain Pump?

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I am curious about something regarding your choice not to have a pump. Have you

at least gone through the pre-op test to see whether you are a good candidate or

not?

I am only asking because as a person that has had a pump for 12 years now, one

of the things that impressed me was the fact that you could actually test the

pump before having it installed. One day in the hospital and you will know for

sure if it is something for you or not. I am sure that if your doctor is always

talking about them, that he has already mentioned this to you.

As I said, I am just curious. It is always amazed me how many people are

resistant to this option without even having gone through the pre-op test for

it.

If you answered this before, please forgive me. Have a great weekend.

Be well,

Ron B. - NY

> sioux wrote:

> I do not want one and my doctor always talks about them. I am getting so much

worse that I really do not know how long it will be. Oh, My neck!

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Yes, I know about the trial. I am also afraid of the trial. My doctor doesn't

put patients in the hospital for the pain pump. (If I were going to be

hospitalized, it would be a different story)

My doctor is a little strange. I kind of worry. What is the trial like?

Do you still take Opioids?

My doctor says that you have to be totally out of pain before he can give you

the trial. If I was totally out of pain I'd never make it to the doctor's

office. I would be ow ow ow!

> Ron wrote:

> I am curious about something regarding your choice not to have a pump. Have

you at least gone through the pre-op test to see whether you are a good

candidate or not?

[Guest guest]

You do NOT need to be off opioids to have a trial (as long as you are still

in pain and can tell the difference between pre-op pain and getting relief

from the pump), but some doctors prefer that you lower your dose (again,

not necessary if you're still in pain). During the trial, you need to have

a fifty percent reduction in pain to qualify for a pump.

The full trial is really no big deal, it is essentially a spinal tap, but

they leave a tube in you. Some doctors do abbreviated trials, but they're

generally not considered as good. You can read more about the trial on

Medtronics website (or ask here).

Where does he do the trial (office, surgery center?) if not in the

hospital? If he does the trials in his office, he probably just does the

injection trials, which are not preferable, but they work. They are REALLY

simple, you just get one or more injections of a drug (probably morphine)

into your spine.

If you are uncomfortable having the trial done outside of the hospital,

TELL HIM, he might be willing to do it there if he wants you to consider a

pump so badly.

For more information on the pump trial

bit.ly/P7mfec

" There are two screening test methods. Your doctor will decide which

screening test method is

performed.

*Injection Method – This procedure consists of a single injection or

multiple injections of a small

amount of medication into the intrathecal space.

*Continuous Infusion Method – This type of screening test takes place over

a few days and closely resembles the therapy delivered by the implanted

drug pump*.*

Steve M in PA

> wrote:

Yes, I know about the trial. I am also afraid of the trial. My doctor

doesn't put patients in the hospital for the pain pump. (If I were going to

be hospitalized, it would be a different story)

> My doctor is a little strange. I kind of worry. What is the trial like?

[Guest guest]

,

He has a little surgery center in his office. I would be so much more

comfortable if I knew I was going to spend the night.

We'll see. Thank you for your information.

Susie, sue, susan, sue in CA

> M wrote:

> Where does he do the trial (office, surgery center?) if not in the

hospital? If he does the trials in his office, he probably just does the

injection trials, which are not preferable, but they work. They are REALLY

simple, you just get one or more injections of a drug (probably morphine) into

your spine.

[Guest guest]

Ron, I have not had the pre-op test.

Sue, , Susie in CA

> Ron wrote:

> Have you at least gone through the pre-op test to see whether you are a good

candidate or not?

[Guest guest]

Sue

If I were you, I would ask the doctor to make an exception and do your

trial in the hospital. If you are insistent that you will only have

the trial done in the hospital and explain your discomfort, you just

might get an in hospital trial.

Steve M. in PA

> sioux wrote:

> He has a little surgery center in his office. I would be so much more

comfortable if I knew I was going to spend the night.

[Guest guest]

Hello ,

I am sorry I have not gotten back to you sooner, But I have family coming into

town and have been doing a lot of other stuff besides going on the web. As far

as the Trial, I found it to be just fine. Not as bad as most other procedures I

have gone through. One night in the hospital with good pain relief. Matter of

fact, it was as good a nights sleep I had in the prior eight years. I did not

have to go off my regular meds before the trial. I cannot imagine doing that.

When you ask " Do you still take Opioids? " I assume you mean in addition to the

Dilauded and Bubivicaine in my pump. Yes I do, I get plenty of Oxycodone and

muscle relaxers for those times it gets real bad.

In the twelve years I have had my pump I have been very lucky that my doctors

have always acted aggressively in their treatment methods.

I know that the pump does not work for all people, but I have had good success

with mine, and I would say that if you have a chance to do the trial, I would go

for it. You will never know if you do not try it.

Good luck. I hope you get some relief soon.

Be well,

Ron B. - NY

> sioux wrote:

> Yes, I know about the trial. I am also afraid of the trial.