A real doctor, eh? What did we do to deserve this. Welcome Aboard Doc. Assoc of Emergency Room Physicians. We hope to learn more from you in the future. Best Wishes In a message dated 8/30/2010 8:35:23 A.M. Central Daylight Time, [email protected] writes:
Dear Naomi, The main risk would be infection (even meningitis), the same as when the pump was placed the first time. Remember that anytime you take narcotic pain meds, even from a pump, the gradually seem less powerful, eventally have far less pain relief than you may need. This is called “Tolerance” and is the main reason to be cautious. Some patients eventally require such high doses to get the same relief that small doses provoded before, that complications like constipation, itching, confusion are guaranteed. You and your doctor need to discuss LONG term pain relief plans before you go too far down the narcotic road. In Him, Bo Machado MD, FACEP ____________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, August 30, 2010 2:02 AM To: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: [QUAD-L] Pain Pump I had a baclofen pump removed last September 11, due to complications with it. At the time of removal, I was told that I could not have it put back in. But what I did not know at the time, was that I could get pain medicine put directly into the pump also. Now I'm considering having the pump put back in just for the pain medicine. My question is, has anyone ever had the pump removed and reinstalled? I would normally be concerned about them fooling around with my spinal cord, but I'm already a quadriplegic, completely paralyzed on the right side and minimal, nonfunctional, use on the left side. My only concern would be that they would something affect my brain. Naomi.
