I have thought alot lately about this whole saga I have went through, back in 1990 I had my first MRI, the doctor who read the MRI to me said that by the time I turned 40 I would be in constant pain. Well it happened just about as he said it would, but I really didn't prepare myself for the amount of pain I would always be in. The hardest part for me is going from being a very active person to now just laying in bed during my days off from work. I had put so much positive thought into the pain pump, knowing that it was pretty much my only option. Now it seems as though its not going to work for me and I can't really explain what I am feeling now??? To not be able to get out in the yard and play with my two granddaughters or my 10 year old daughter, they don't understand that pappa is always in pain and always grumpy. Then out in the driveway I have a boat that I don't get to use. My most favorite place to visit is yellowstone national park, I had bought many books about different hikes to go on there, one hike in particular is an area called the "thorofare region", this hike is 25 miles in any way you, it is the largest roadless area in the lower 48, this area is full of wolves, grizzly bears, elk, moose and many other types of wildlife. It really hurts to think that I may never be phyisically be able to make the hike back there. I know I have strayed off of from what this is about. Far too many people don't seem to understand the level of pain that some of us go through each and every second, minute, day, month and year of our lives. I want to thank everyone on this board for the encouragment and positive thoughts. Ok time to send this off as I start to ramble on. Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July.
Chuck
Today started off very badly for me, was in terrible pain and only had two norco to take, so off to work I went and ended up taking two more norco within an hour of getting to work. My neuro surgeon has two offices, one on the hospital campus where I work and another just 13 miles away in the next city over. I was under the impression that my appointment was on the hospital campus, got there in plenty of time only to be told my appointment was at his other office. Well got to his other office and got right in, the doctor came in, he was in his normal Jack*** self. I showed him what was going on, he said he had done over 500 pain pumps and had never seen this before. I proceeded to tell him that I was not going to live my life like this and he got very defensive and started making excuses. He told me to try an ace bandage wrapped around my midsection and then come back on July 30th and if it was still popping out he would go in and surgicly put in a few more stitches, I then told him that if it was still doing it by then we were just going to take the pump out. Of course he disagree's with me, but like you say its my call. I see my pain doctor on July 1st and going to have a nice long talk with him about the way his staff treats me and let him know whats going on with the pump and find out if he wants to continue to be my pain doctor if they take the pump out and make sure he is going to provide adequate pain meds to handle my pain. The bad part about this is if my employer finds out I am back on pain meds they will surely fire me, so I guess I need to look into disability or some way of providing fo rmy family. I was so hopeful this was all going to work. Of course I will keep everyone posted as to whats going on with my saga.
Hi Freebird,
I am sorry to hear about the problems you are having with the Pain Pump. Please excuse my tardiness in my response. I was ill much of the weekend.
I am also sorry that I cannot help you much with this issue as I have no personal knowledge of these pumps. I do know we have members with experience in the pump and hopefully they will respond to your post. I do realize that today is your appointment and any information may be a bit late.
The one thing I do know is that you are the patient and should be in the drivers seat regarding comfort. If you are not satisfied with the placement of this pump your physician should be willing to remedy the situation, unless he can provide you with a good medical reason why the placement should not be changed.
Your correct some physicians in my opinion do tend to treat chronic pain patients like addicts. A few bad physicians have ruined it for the very many good ones out there. With the death of Michael Jackson the media is full of news about incompetent physicians that prescribe narcotic pain relievers for their patients thus causing addiction! We hear it with every celebrity that dies and has been prescribed narcotics. It's horribly poor and inaccurate publicity for responsible physicians and responsible chronic pain sufferers. Is it any wonder that we are treated with such distrust and physicians are watching their backs? I'll get off my soap box now.
Again I urge you to be honest and forthcoming with your physician. Describe the issues and pain that this apparently ill fitting or poorly placed pump is causing you. Please share with us the results of your appointment. I will be interested to learn if the physician has a solution.
Best of luck and as always,
Take Care, Tuck