Here is my first journal after having the Baclofin Pump placed in my body.
The surgery took place on 6/28 early morning....it took about 2 1/2 hours.
After waking in recovery I was transferred to the ICU where I spent the next 24
hours and was then released to go home. Almost as soon as I woke from surgery I
could feeol like a weight had been taken off my legs. The banding was
significantly reduced. That being said after being released from the hospital I
began to suffer severe headaches and nausea. The neurosurgeon advised that I
lie flat on my back and drink lots of caffeinated beverages in order to
replenish my spinal fluid which he felt was leaking at the catheter site. I did
this and still the headaches got worse and worse...to the point where I had to
be readmitted to the hospital. At the hospital I was told to stay flat 24/7 and
was given antibiotics and a low dose of steroids.After 3 days in the hospital I
had them release me even though I was still suffering from headaches and
fatigue. Today it is almost 12 days since my surgery and I am finally starting
to feel better. The headaches are gone and the fatigue is less. Not everyone
getting the Baclofin Pump goes through the leakage...they say one in 10....I
was one of them.
I know that so far everything has been negative...yet I am still very happy
I had the procedure. My legs feel better than they have in 15 years and they
are likely to improve even more as the dosage is increased. The pump does stick
out of my left side lateral to my naval and is the size of a powderpuff. It is
made of titanium and is only slightly under my skin. The surgery consisted of
placing the pump on the left side of my naval and the catheter is inserted
through a separate cut near my spine. The catheter is placed in the spinal
fluid as near as possible to my lesion. The pain from the surgery is minimal
and if it were not for the side effects I encountered would have been a piece
of cake.The pump is refilled approx. twice per year by an injection through the
skin directly into the pump. The pump is programmed by the neurologist via a
handheld computer.
It is my hope and expectation that this pump will greatly benefit the
quality of my life. I should be able to walk better,faster and with far less
fatigue and banding. I have no restrictions on physical activity once the
sutures have healed (about 2-3 weeks). I can resume swimming and almost any
activity my body allows me to do.I will be able to walk my 70 lb Golden
retriever and not have a problem even when he sees a rabbit and starts to pull
me. I will have to carry a special medical card when I fly as the pump will set
off airport alarms. The only other thing I cannot do is get an MRI.
I am not ready to recommend and or endorse the pump for everyone. The
people who it will help the most are the ones suffering from spasticity and
banding.
I will keep everyone up to date on my progress....and that being said I
would recommend anyone considering this procedure to first go through the
hospital trial. At the trial a 3 hour dose of the medicine is injected into
your spine (similar to a lumbar puncture). Once the injection is done you
should see major changes in the way you feel. That is what happened to me and I
felt I would never forgive myself for not trying the procedure.
To get more information you should google the pump manufacturer and read
all about it. Google"Metronics".
Please let me know if you want me to continue a running commentary I my own
personal experience.
All the best!
Rob in New Jersey
