Re: intrathecal morphine pump

[Guest guest]

----- Hi Iam Lucy aand I have the pump, I have had it about a year At first

yes it took the pain away then I gained about 40lbs and memeroy loss very

depressed. The I had to frozen shoulders and stiff back and legs couldn't even

get out of bed. The doc told me some of the side effect s could be stifness

well he wasn't kidding. I was in thearpy for my arms for week and weeks. I tood

cordozine shots believe me it was bad maybe not for everyone. MY higest on the

pump was 18 1/2 ng, As soon as the pump got pretty low all that stuff went away.

I still an on it but thehose came off and I have to have surgeey to put it back

I am just not sure I want to suffer with all the side effects. Yes it is good

for the lower doze of medications you take. If you are happy with it then it

works for you but I really don't know what to do next. Thanks for info. Lucy

[Guest guest]

When I had the intrathecal pump placed I had a general anesthesia,

I have an incision in my back where the pump goes into my spine, I

also had an incision in my abd area where the pump is located. This

was a real surgery not just something done with IV conscious

sedation where you think you have been given a general and have

recieved versed and just don't remember. I was intubated and the

whole nine yards. I have never heard of doing this without a general

because it involves actual cutting with a scapel and much

manipulation of the cannula under the skin and then placement into

the intrathecal space. Hope that helps people make a decision.

Atwell LPN

[Guest guest]

Lucy,

I know that doctors have used several different medications in the pump

itself. What medication is the doctor currently using and has he tried

others in the pump? I know you said he tried other types of meds orally,

but you didn't say if he tried others in the pump. Maybe a different

medication in the pump won't have the same side effects.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to that of a licensed

physician or health care professional.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

The methadone only knocked me out once so the next time I broke it in half and

then it didn't help. So I took it whole and it still was not working so the

pain doc put me on Oxycontin 20mg. I don't know if you know he tried to break

the cycle of the breakthrough pain with an injection in my spine. Well I got a

severe headache right away. I went back the second day and he gave me too much

of the numbing stuff and it numbed me from my waist to my toes. The third day he

took the catheter out and then I had serious headaches and the spine hurt so

badly.

Monday he had me come back and he did a blood patch where he put my blood from

my arm in to the spine because the thing leaked. That was also supposed to clear

up my headache, well a tiny bit. I got home and when I started to walk up to my

door I got this awful pain behind my knees and under my feet. It was so bad I

called him immediately and talked to his nurse I told her I think I should talk

to him. She said he said to lay flat, put ice on the spine, and take my pills.

So, I took the Oxycontin and it worked for about 1 hr when I woke up in bad, bad

pain again my legs. I had to page him and by time he answered my page I had

called the paramedics and they came. Then my husband got home from work and took

me to the hospital where my doc said he would admit me. He also told me

sometimes from the blood patch that it could mess with the nerves in my body

which is what was happening with my legs.

When I got to the hospital and called him like he told me to, he never answered

the page. But, I was so bad, the hospital had another doctor see me and she gave

me a little morphine to help with the pain. The doctor finally called and asks

to speak to me. I was so mad at him. I asked if he was admitting me and he said

yes. All this happened from his wanting to give me the spinal thing, and I end

up in the hospital for three days getting a Morphine pump 12mg every 20 min,

Percocet... and Oxycontin 60mg every 12 hrs. I found out in the hospital that

you only need to take that drug every 12 hrs. I don't know much about the drug

except it is very addicting. Do you know anything about it?

So I left the hospital and was going to just walk out, but I called the dr's

service and told them to tell him I was leaving or he could check me out. He

finally did. I haven't spoken to him since. He said to come in when I was up to

it. I don't think I will, I need a doctor that listens and I need to feel

comfortable that he has experience treating pancreatitis. I am looking for

another dr in Santa Clarita. (That is where he is) I asked my insurance to send

me a list of doctors in their plan, so I know I will be covered.

I am doing ok, but if I over do it, I can feel it. I didn’t' get your message

till now cause I haven't been on the computer till now. The fire finally got

put out and I never left my house. We were all safe and are ok.

Thanks.

Lucy