Hi,

You have certainly had a lot to deal with these past few years and it sounds like you have more to come.  I first want to say please don't give up, there are ways that might be able to help you manage your pain better and live with the health issues you face every day.  I too have had a back problem, for the past 44 years, and have had 5 back surgeries, including a double fusion.  I went through every possible pain medication, physical therapy, TENS unit, steroid injections in my spine and epidurals.  I even spent 3 weeks at an in-patient pain management program, but each was only minimally helpful. If that wasn't bad enough, I was diagnosed with M.S. in 1997, after many years of hearing I might have it.

 In 1999 I began to see a pain management doctor who suggested I get an Intrathecal Morphine Pump, and I couldn't be happier with the results.  It is implanted in my abdomen, I get it filled every 6 or 7 weeks and the dosage can only be changed by the doctor using a computer like machine.  Nothing shows outside my body and there is no way I can alter the calculations and overdose myself, which some people initially worry about.  For more in formation about the Intrathecal Morphine Pump check out www.medtronics.com which is the company that makes it. 

I have found, to my surprise, that many doctors, even pain management specialists, don't know about the pump for pain management; I've known people whose doctors have told them it is only for spasticity medicine (Baclefen, which I also have in my pump) and for pain management for terminally ill patients. That is not true, although it is how the pump was used at first.  I honestly don't know what I would do right now if I didn't have this pump delivering medicine for my pain; this delivery system eliminates the negative aspects of oral medicines.

Between 9/2001 and 12/2002 I broke both wrists, my right tib/fib and my right hip, which required a total of 8 surgeries to repair; I had a pin put in one of my wrists and it needed a plate, a plate in the second wrist, the rod in my leg for the tib/fib fracture got infected and I had 3 more surgeries in attempts to clean it out, and the surgeon put a pin in my hip, only to have to do a full hip replacement one month later. I now live with chronic Cellulitis from the infection in my leg and Lymphedema caused by a few lymph nodes compromised during the 5 surgeries on my right leg in a short time. I found myself extremely depressed about 1/2 way through, which only made it all seem worse so I began to write and keep mind occupied in other ways.  I could no longer work at the job I loved, sold my house in suburbia and moved into a large city so I could use public transportation because I could no longer drive.  What I found is that there are other things to do—volunteer, write, read, get involved in church or other organizations—which don't necessarily replace all I once had but fill some time and help to make me feel a little productive at times.

I know this is long, and I apologize. I just wanted to respond to the sadness and maybe a little fear in your Post and let you know you are not alone.  The people that Post on this site can be very supportive. I hope you will continue to write and let us know how you are doing.  I wish you the best.

camper460

3/28/09 4:42pm

Denise after reading your problems I feel stupid in thinking of poor me. You have been through so much. I started crying at what you have been through. Makes me think I should just shut my mouth and deal with it. I can not pick up a full coffee pot to the table, by the time I sit down my back is hurting. Now I have to deal with this cancer. I am overwelmed. I am depressed most of the time. I have anxiety attacks every day. I am trying to stay possitive but it is hard. Thank you for listening and I hope you get along good.    Vickie