Hello,I also have the pain pump with Dilaudid and it does really help with my pain from the waist down, in answer to your question does it also help with the other body pains, the answer is for sure it does, I have had four spine surgeries actually six and always in my chest and about anywhere leading from my spine I have had a lot of pains, now as long as I don't over-do myself then the chest pains caused from a severely degenerated spine are at least seventy percent less, keep a record each day is what I find works best and face the fact that we may never be as good as we used to be,and still try to be thankful as best we can for what we can still do each day, God bless you, Sherman Raney
I have had a morphane pump for 10 years and will switch to Dilaudid next month. I had muscle cramps for about 8 years, my doctor told me to take one tablespoon of yellow mustard everyday, this may seem crazy but it works. I have not had anymore cramps, trust me on this. try it you won't be sorry . I had my doubts but it works you will thank me a hundred times , please try it.
Dear Denise,
I am currently becoming worse now than when I was before the pump. I too was started on morphine, which apparently, in the studies I have researched is the 1st drug of choice in these pumps, even though to date there have been numerous deaths. With that being said, my surgery earlier this year I under went surgery, for what we were told was safe, life changing, and in 3 months from the surgery, I would be ready to roll once more. That was TEN months ago. Fast forward to, hmmmm, the last 120 days. My vision is now damaged, and per my eye doc, was most DEF. due from, the pain pump. I just never knew, nor did I imagine. So that is 1 on the list for the pro con choice of enduring these pumps. This one, CON.
2nd After a pump fill about 90 days ago, or so....I began, to lose motor function in the right leg and arm, mysteriously, the side that is damaged, and being treated.
3rd. As of Monday 10-13-14 I learned, I now have neurological vaginal prolapse and it is linked to the pump and/or the surgeon. The pain I now endure with my kidneys and bladder, FAR out weighs any help that this pump, has yet to offer.
4th. Around June, or late July, I had been feeling really bad, for several days, however no symptoms of bronchial ailment, or virus. I finally got out of bed, and my daughter drove me to the pcp our family has. Lying on the table in his office, my breathing was becoming more labored and shallow as my heart rate now, was all over the map. Result : I was in severe AFIB and taken immediately to the hospital, thus as my heart settled down "some" they cancelled my EMG, EEG, an entire list...of test...why?
5th. I have NEVER in my life sweated, or had outbreaks of a burning clammy sweat, UNTIL NOW. I KNOW it is the medication, because beside researching causes symptoms and side effects of the said pump, There it was. We ruled out Thyroid. We destroyed the mid life theory, that so many men love to say, thinking that will fix it, here's a script, bye.
6th. I will wrap it up with the latest issue, actually 72 hours ago now, that has happened. I awoke at 3a.m. Monday morning, as the inside, stemming from the lower thumb, and crossing up on the bones of the inner wrist, were burning, like someone, literally set them on fire. So, my husband, bless his heart, said, get ready, were going to the ER. They scanned it, but could find no break nor crack. However even though, no break was found, I am sitting here typing to not only you, but EVERYONE who is on this page, or knows someone, enduring these same effects.
So in closing, what am I going to do? I would imagine you already know. I fall, I am forgetting, blacking out....and as a wife, a daughter, a parent, a very NEW grandparent :) and a friend to so many, I am NOT going to stand for this anymore.
The good news out of all this, is that are a few people I know that work in and around DC and another that has become my fill in dad "since my daddy passed 09"....and he has ties all the way to the senate floor, with congress in the wait for him. So if your still here, or anyone else who is dealing with horrible issues and side effects from these so called MIRACLE PAIN CURES...DO NOT GIVE UP!
As I have traveled this road for quite some time, I myself, have thought of just quitting, refusing anymore surgeries....but then, I realized I do not have the luxury of giving up. I cannot just stop. I am, one who has always, seen things through, even the roughest parts of life. Then, I thought, what would, my husband do, what would my children do, "though grown" and most importantly, what about my 3 precious grandsons? Kamden, who is slightly over 2, with 2 more (twin boys) who are closing in on 5 months old. think, as they grow older, and ask, where is Nana? I would NEVER want them to hear, wander, or know in any capacity that their Nana, was a quitter, and gave up, not only on herself, but them as well. So, whoever reads this, not only am I here, but I have established, quite the backing of people, who stand ready to help, when we, I pray, before Thanksgiving, remove this pump, and in doing so, I WILL, oh...I so will, try to hold onto my Faith, for if we say, we have Faith, only in the good times, then we do not have faith at all. Faith, Hope, charity, Integrity, and more....will be our mainstay and the very rock of foundation, which we all will stand on, above the crowds of naysayers and skeptics, above the Doctors and surgeons, who take NO accountability in all of this at all. I can promise YOU, and others who respond, This is going to be a battle, torn apart leaving us ALL victors, and so with that said, no war will come, for we shall be heard LONG before, they even outline their foolish strategic plots.
Sincerely,
Lisa K
"pseudonym"
***this post is edited by moderator *** *** private e-mails not allowed*** Please read our Terms of Use
thanks, as I am on dilaudid and can not stay awake at all if I ain't moving and I can't drive over 20 miles as I fall asleep, so I will see about getting on proigil 200 because life is no good this way, I am just existing and not living, thanks so much.
I have had severe back pain after rupturing a disc in 2003. After 2 failed back surgeries and going through physical therapy, traction, steriod injections, spinal electrodes and countless other attempts to relieve the pain my doctor suggested the intrathecal pain pump with Dilaudid. I had it put in back in September of 2014 and the results have been life changing. I was at the point where I was considering disability because I couldn't work without horrible pain. I now not only have returned to work but am regularly working 70+ hour weeks with no problem at all. I imagine this is not the answer for everyone as you have to give up a lot of things you like to do such as, for me, golf and bowling, because the twisting can kink or break the tubing but if you are truly in pain and that stuff doesn't matter anyway, this is the way to go.
If the pump doesn't seem to be doing the job or you need more relief at some times more than others, ask your doctor about an external device to deliver a bolus. They're programmed so you can't over dose yourself. (Mine is set so that a certain dose can be given at 4 hour intervals and won't let you do it one minute before that time.)
I'm not saying that the pump doesn't work with other drugs, just that it's not approved to use them and if there is any complications with those other drugs then the doctor and patient will be pretty much on their own.
Remember your body easily becomes adjusted to the increases they make in the pump, forcing them to increase it more and more to the point over a period of years you're taking the equivilant of several thousand milligrams of oral pain medication a day. Of course no one could do this without dying, but just think of what that's doing to your body, how that's wiring your brain etc. not to mention the side effects the pump will give you over time!
If you have a problem that is fixable like a back, hip or whatever then I strongly suggest you search until you find the doctor who can help you fix your problem, not throw a pump in and mask it, then ignore you for the next 13 years every time you ask if you are fixable!
If you have a chronic disease then maybe the pump is the way to go, but remember what it's approved for! IMHO chronic pain should not be managed by the pump, it should be managed by a specialist who gives proper meds to those truly suffering from this awful disease!
Med schools should start turning out properly trained doctors who specialize in the treatment of chronic pain with stigma attached to those schools or doctors who take that path!
Bravo!
GDS