Hi Jude,
It's funny, I actually just went to the Doctor at the Pain Management Center yesterday morning. Then your email came later that night. I thought I would share with the group, maybe someone else is also looking for information or just looking for something to read to pass the time J. I would be using the pump for neuropathic pain that resides in both legs and feet. I found out there are 3 medications that are FDA approved for the pump (baclofen, morphine (Infumorph) and ziconotide (Prialt). I had never heard of Prialt, turns out it is a non-opiate medication. Sounds weird but it is from a type of snail. The dosage does not need to be increased as the morphine would. In addition he can add in baclofen, hopefully no more oral baclofen and its side effects. I could end up with a combination of all 3, if the Prialt doesn't reduce the pain enough he would possibly add morphine also. I don't really understand how it would disburse all 3 together, maybe I would have to jump up and down a few times a day to keep it mixed well J, now that would be quite the site! There are 2 types of screening; one is putting the catheter part into spine while the pump stays external. Looks like my doctor is doing it the other way, at least for now. It involves doing spinal tap type injections of each medication to see how it works and if any side effects. This Friday I go for a test with the Prialt, next Tuesday I go for a morphine test. Then the doctor goes on vacation J. I imagine when he gets back we will test the baclofen or who knows, maybe more Prialt. With the Prialt, someone needs to be with you for 24 hours as one of the possible side effects are something like hallucinations; now that would be a new experience. That is also why they titrate the Prialt much slower than the morphine and baclofen. When he decides on which cocktail is best, I don't know if he'll do the other screening test with only the catheter implanted or if we go straight to stuffing everything inside J, I'll find out along the way. I really don't care, I just want the pain gone. I am trying not to get too excited in case it doesn't work on my neuropathy although I would think it would be better than all the oral meds I take. Oh, to wear socks again, even shoes without socks or not having my pants electrocuting me all day long, lying in bed without the sheets hurting me, being able to sit in a chair without my air cushion, able to stand and talk to someone, just the little things in life J. Seems a good portion of people with the pump are happy when they get to play golf, tennis, hike, etc. again. If I get all my other wishes then I would be unbelievably grateful to be able to go for a walk, go to a restaurant and have no pain, do my woodworking (standing), maybe even get back to the art of Aikido which I miss so much. Sorry, got off track here and let my heart wander a bit. I will let you know my progress along the way. Did you get to see your doctor about it yet? I hope you do as I truly believe it has to help somewhat if not a whole lot. Make it a great day, Deb From: heyjude48...@aol.com [mailto:heyjude48...@aol.com] Sent: Monday, March 18, 2013 9:01 PM To: aiki...@optonline.net Subject: RE: Your new pain pump. Hi Deb, It's Jude, how are you doing? You must have had the pain pump trial by now. How did it go? I have been looking for your mail to see what happened. If you don't mind sharing, what did they do and how is it progressing? How long does the trial last and when do you expect to have the surgery? Are you having the pump for pain issues, for spasms or for some other reason? I can't recall what you said last time. My memory is so poor because of the medication I take and my age, I hate to say. Please know that I have been thinking of you and praying that all has gone well. Your friend, Jude
