I have told a couple of people, but I am going to tell anyone interested in
what I use for nerve pain.
I have a spinal cord stimulator implanted in my back by
my Pain Management doctor. There is a needle-like thing put in the spine with
leaders coming off of it. They are attached to a generator lower on my back
(very small incision). I then use a magnet to turn the sensations on and off
according to pain level, etc. It covers the pain before it can reach my brain
telling me that I have pain. So, drugs are never used. This is expensive,
but insurance covers a lot of it.
This is definitely not the "pump" that some of you are talking about. As
for spasms, which used to really keep me awake at nite,
I take Neurontin and Baclofen at different times in the evening. That has
taken care of that problem.
Just thought I'd through this into the discussion. If any questions, let me
know. Janice
----- Original Message -----
From: lynne myers
To: tmic
Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 8:08 AM
Subject: RE: [TMIC] Implantable pumps
I have had my baclofen pump for about a year and a half now. I dont
think it works any better at controling the spasms than the oral baclofen does,
but I dont have the brain fog as bad as I did when taking the pills. The main
problem I have with the pump is the cost. My insurance covers 80% of cost so
every time I have to go in for a refill (every three months) it costs me about
$350. Plus I have to drive about 150 miles round trip to have it filled and /
or adjusted.
The level I am at right now is not as effective as I would like, but
when we tried turning it up I was unable to empty out my bladder so had to go
back down.
As far as infections have had no problems there. But the surgery
itself was miserable. Between the almost 6" incision in the front where the
actual pump is and the 3" incision on back where the catheter was inserted into
spine I was in alot of pain for the first week. It is also very difficult to
find cloths that dont cling to the pump and make it stand out like a sore thumb.
The pump has to be replaced every 5 years, and when that time comes I
don't think I will have another one put in, will just have them take this one
out.
Lynne
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2009 12:49 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [TMIC] Implantable pumps
I want to get some feedback on the implantable pump (intrathecal)
that provides meds directly into the spine.
Any problems with infection?
Cost on Medicare - 80/20 or 100% ?
Convenient to have, or a pain with upkeep, maintenance, whatever
problems you may have had?
Did it work (regardless of the med, but it would be nice to know)?
I am looking at pain relief, and probably anti-spasmodic being
delivered via this device. Thanks for your input. mt
