This is my third Journal report since receiving my Baclofin Pump on 6/28/13.
After the first couple of weeks where I did have some post operation problems
(leaking spinal fluid) everything has gotten better and better. I am currently
weaning my self off of Lyrica where I was taking 450 mg per day I am now down
to 75 mg and will start 50 mg tomorrow and after 10 days be off the drug
entirely. I have had my6 pump adjusted twice since the surgery and I am now in
effect taking twice the dosage that was being used when the pump was initially
implanted. My scars are slowly going away ( I had my cuts closed with glue
instead of actual stitches. I am back to swimming one mile of laps per day and
walking approximately one mile per day with my pulling 20 month old 75 lb
Golden Retriever. I am walking almost normally with no tightening or extra
banding due to walking or exercise. In fact the only thing I cannot do is
run...and the great thing is that when walking I believe I look "normal". After
4 weeks I can honestly say that I am feeling the best I have in 15 years. I
consider the decision to have the pump put in me the most significant thing I
have ever done to treat6 my TM. closing I could not be happier than I am now.
For the people living in the Tri-State arera I would highly recommend my
current Neurologist "Doctor Neil Holland" who not only told me about the
benefits of the pump ...he also stated that the pump is totally underutilized
when treating conditions such as TM and MS. I strongly urge all TM'rs to at
least get the trial to see if they are good candidates for the procedure. The
trial takes about 3 hours and is done in the hospital (in my case by Dr.
Holland). After only a few minutes after receiving the trial injection I was
amazed by the difference in my banding and spasticity. I finally feel I have
become proactive with my condition instead of simply looking for and using new
drugs to slightly alleviate the effects of TM.I hope to have Dr Holland speak
at our next TM support group meeting which should be at the Centre State
Hospital in Freehold NJ.
All the best!
Rob In NJ
