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I'm a 55 year old man with chronic pain from ffx S-1, L5 and separation of pelvis from sacrum suffered 21 years ago. I've tried everything and just had my second radiofrequency denervation. If this second try doesn't work, I'm wondering if implant porphine pump will help. I'm currently taking oxycodone for pain and it doesn't BEGIN to control pain, even at high doses 90-120 mg daily) QOL if greatly effected, libido is lost, testosterone levels low.
Does implant pump control pain in similar cases without side effects? If side effects, what are they. I'm thin (5'11'', 140 lbs) and have lost 30 pounds in past 2 years due, in large part, due to pain. Docotr said if this RF denervation doesn't work, she'll try pump, but says pump is "last resort."
What is down side? What level of physical activity is allowed? It sounds as if I will remain addicted to painkillers if pump is installed. Is that true and how does it compare to oral use?
Lots'o questions, but important ones I need to have answered before taking any such steps. I relize I'll never be pain free, but I can't go on much longer with pain levels I've had in pst 6-7 years.
I'd appreciate any advise from pay persons with experience with pump. I realize you're not doctors and advice is subjective and doesn't necessarily apply to everyone. But could someone try and answer my question?
Welcome to ChronicPainConnection! You have some good and valid questions about the pain pump. I'd like to encourage you to visit a thread under "General Discussion" here on the forum entitled “Willing to share experience with intrathecal morphine pump implant” that was started and is maintained by Bob Englebardt. That's where everyone goes to discuss and ask questions about the pump. It's a pretty long thread, but rest assured your post will be read and answered. Just click on the last page and post your questions.
I'd also like to mention one other thing. You said something about remaining addicted to painkillers after the pump is installed. I'd like to encourage you to read: Opioids: Addiction vs. Dependence I don't mean to sound nit-picky, but there's a big difference between having a physical dependence on a medication and being addicted to it. The reason I'm concerned about making sure the terminology is used correctly is that the term "addiction" has been harmful and hurtful to so many with chronic pain. While pretty much everyone who takes opioid medication on a regular basis will become physically dependent on it, very few people with real chronic pain ever have a problem with actual addiction. I hope I haven't offended you. I'm on something of a mission to clarify the terminology and help people learn more about treating chronic pain problems.
We're glad to have you join us here and hope to continue to hear from you. We have a really nice group of folks here who are always willing to share, answer questions, support and encourage you.
I'll post as per your recommendation. I read with interest some of the postings on that thread. I thought I was posting there, so I'll have to figure out how to do so. Dang computers.
I use word "addiction" because, in my mind, there's little difference between terms such as dependancy and addiction. I know the words addict and addiction have pejorative connotations, but I prefer to call a spade a spade. If I don't have opiod painkillers, I don't only have withdraw, but also ungodly pain from bone on bone with only nerve in between. "The Monster" abides, waiting to fully awake from his soporific sleep.
I write for a living, so I'll take the tag 'addict' so long as the drugs keep my mind focused on the task at hand. That's the difference for me. I'm not addicted to the euphoria from recreational use. Yet I am addicted to drugs that control pain and allow me some level of normalcy rather than the state of mental unbalance that comes from spinning out of control in a pain spiral. But I'd rather have less drugs and more consistent focus a pump might provide. Even with chronic pain reaction to opiods, that focus does tend to diminish as as the dosage increases. Currently, I'm working as a political writer, so my dosage will undoubtedly increase as the season heads toward November. And I'm not going to make a move to a pump before then.
Everyone I work with knows my situation, so it isn't an issue with my bosses. (-Yes, I write for Democrats, if you're wondering. No Limbaugh jokes, please.) By mid-November, I'll be in screaming pain even with the drugs unless the radiofrequency denervation works better than it did when it was performed at HSS in NYC in March. Hopefully, I'll make it through this year. But after that, something more effective has to be done.
Anyway, thanks for listening to my ramblings. I'll seek more info as need and time permits. It's good to have others in similar situations out there for advice and conversation.
PS-how does spell check work on this board? Dang computers.
As some one who has been a lifelong democrat, not a republican...the difference between dependence and addict is the same as the difference between a democrat and a republican. I hate to be persnickedy, but having been on oral for 9 years and having a pump for 3 you kinda of get that way.....you will learn, words are your life. anyway....You will probably always be on some sort of oral meds after the pump implant, if trial is successful. Being of slight build it might take a little getting used to, I have plenty of protection for mine, not so much for my stimulator though. Most docs have there own thing with protocols on orals, how much what kind etc before and after pump implantment. You just need to talk to your pain doc. If you read bob's post somewhere he talks about male libido and the pump. You could be all healed up by November, give it a try before then....You won't feel any relief until you try to break the pain cycle.
