How much help did you need when you left the hospital after your pain pump placement? I understand it is a 6-8 week full recovery but just curious if I will be able to recover alone in the beginning or will really need a lot of help like a home nurse if I do not have anyone to help me 24/7 for the first week or two. I know everyone is different just curious… Thanks!
I’ve read the rules and this one was a bit gray because I feel like I’m looking for a needle in a haystack. Am I allowed to ask here if regionally (New England) anyone has received the procedure I’ve been referred to/recommended?
Trying to find someone who does intrathecal catheters (my referral has been pending a MONTH so far) in New England area. Permission to chat directly with me, I have to start proactively calling providers for help.
Pls delete if not allowed, sorry if the rule is super black and white.
Did you have your intrathecal pain pump placed by your pain doctor or by a neurosurgeon? My pain doctor says she would be the one placing it, and that she places almost of them for her patients. Is this normal?
I had my Intrathecal Pain Pump inserted on Wednesday 6th of May. My biggest hurdle has been reduced sensation/pins and needles/cold and reduced power in my legs and saddle area. Surgeon ordered a CT and it didn’t show anything concerning like a haematoma or infection. He thinks the spinal cord is just a little aggravated by the catheter and it should settle. Has anyone else experienced this?
I’m two weeks post op, I have gone in twice to titrate up my normal dose and my bolus amount. I have fentanyl and bupivicane in the pump right now.
I’m noticing that when I give myself a bolus, I tend to get this increased pain. It feels like my muscles are exceptionally tight. It’s even prompting pain in areas that don’t typically bother me.
Any idea why this could be happening? My next appointment is a week from today, should I try to get in before the weekend to change something?
I'm getting a pain pump soon. Once the trial is done what happens next? How long is the typical wait until it's put in? How soon after I get it do most people get the first fill of pain meds? What did u guys get in it and what works best for u? How long did it take before u have good relief from pain? How long did ur doctors give u pain pills for while waiting for good relief from the pump? Sorry for all the questions but I want to compare what my doctor said to others.
I wrote previously my current doctor doesn't take my insurance anymore. None of the doctors listed on Medtronic are options. Out of the 5. 2 are at my current office, 1 is on indefinite leave, 1 only takes cancer patients, the last is at Kaiser. I tried to ask my doctir to do the gap exception but he refused.
I found a doctor who's staff told me he did refills. After weeks waiting for my file to be sent over, the referral, etc I was scheduled. Appt time they say they have to reschedule me. 20 mins layer they call to say they don't know why I was ref'd there they don't do refills. Mind you I had talked to several people and had told them all this was urgent because my alarm date was coming up!
I find another office. Same thing happens! I made sure before I even got the referral "you do intrathecal pain pumps?" Was told yes! Appointment day, doc says "I don't know why you are here we don't do pumps"!
My doctor had been lowering my dose over a few weeks trying to make it last until I got into someone. Time ran out and he filled it with saline yesterday.
I had a small pity party last night. Withdrawals from the pump aren't bad the way he did it. He gave me oral meds. The withdrawal pain is awful though. Every bone and muscle is mad!
The next doctors listed on Medtronic are 4 hour drives! 2different cities both 2 hours away 1 way. My option is to pay my current doctors out of network "copay" of $600. He only does fills every month. He won't do longer. I'm retired and don't have that so just lost.
The pump was finally working and I was getting my life back! I don't want to be back on orals that don't work half as well. Just need encouragement or ideas, I don't know, just venting.