Pain Pump

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tylerjames

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I and almost out of options I have already had a spinal cord stimulator which was removed 2 years after it was installed. My questions is has anyone had a pain pump for more than 3 years? If so does it work and what issues have you had? My fear is that if it works it will only be for a few years. I also have a plastic Charite disc at L5 S1 and I worry if the pain pump causes an infection it will spread to the plastic of the Charite and Kill me with even more pain. Does anyone know the infection rate on pain pumps and if it could spread to the plastic of the Charite?? Thanks
 
Hello tyler, and happy new year! I do have the pain pump and have had it for about 6 years. I am very happy with it and cannot imagine life without it. At one point (very long story) I was without it for about 8 months and the pain was not controlled well with oral meRAB. I had a new pump put in and boy, the relief was so much better.

As for infection, I'm afraid I don't know if the risk is any higher than with any surgery. Do tell your surgeon about your fears. You might also ask him how he does the trial as there are at least 3 ways that I have heard about.

Feel free to ask any more questions that you might have and I will do my best to answer them for you.

Oh, by the way.....I have a nephew who has tremendous back problems and had the spinal cord stimulator implanted several years ago. It helped some but not enough and he was on lots of oral meRAB just to be able to get out of bed. We discussed the pump off and on for about 4 years and he was scared to death to get it. Finally the pain just got too much for him to bear and he gave in and had the pump installed about 2 months ago. He is thrilled to death with the relief he is getting and has been able to reduce his oral meRAB by a lot and is so happy that his mind is clear again and that he can drive now. Hope this story helps you make up your mind.

Blessings,

Carol
 
Thanks for the information. All my research points to the pain pump not being effective for more than a couple years. Looks like yours has worked well. My concern over infections was based on the 25% of pain pumps where the person gets an infection at the tip of the catheter. Since I have plastic I know infections have a tendency to invade plastic implants and the only way to get rid of the infection is have the plastic removed. The problem with the Charite ADR is that once it fails removal is not an option in my case. Thanks
 
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