Pump inplanted 10/2006, woke up one morning in July 2007 and immediately noticed all the pain was back at the top of my fusion T9. My catheter is placed at T8. I had just got out of the hospital from having open gallbladder surgery, spent 2 weeks in ICU for pain management and a collapsed lung. The surgeon has assured me he did not get any where near my pump during surgery. I do presently have soreness around one side of my pump, still one year later. I questioned the Dr. on this a couple of times and was just given another increase. I use to feel pressure in my head after a refill but it has not happenened. After an additional 4 increases this past year I still do not feel anything. I hurt all over, very nervous and agitated lately. I've been spending most of my time in bed because the pain just gets to severe. I would like to know exactly what symptoms I should be looking for. Is there a possibility that a small amount is entering the intrathecal and the rest into my tissue? They keep telling me my meds are gone from the pump at refill time. Any information to take with me on my next visit would be greatly appreciated. Maggiemarie
Q: What medical explanations are there for a pump to just stop giving pain relief ?
In March of this year, a team from Switzerland reported a complication rate of 10% in the intrathecal pumps systems that required surgical correction. 35% of those failures were from the actual pump and 65% were from the catheter. Pumps have been reported to fail due to battery malfunction and radiation exposure (things like CT scans, X-rays). Catheters are known to kink, dislodge, and clog.
The first step towards diagnosing problems is an evaluation of pump function with the programmable "wand". Next is to take X-rays (or other studies) to look at the catheter for placement of the tip and check for kinks.
The largest amount of research and knowledge about the pumps is actually in the hands of PM&R doctors who have been treating Cerebral Palsy and Spinal Cord Injury patients with spasticity. The intrathecal pumps have been used for many years to deliver baclofen, a muscle relaxant.
Getting a second opinion is always advisable when you are not satisfied with the answers you are getting.
Dr. Christina Lasich, MD
In March of this year, a team from Switzerland reported a complication rate of 10% in the intrathecal pumps systems that required surgical correction. 35% of those failures were from the actual pump and 65% were from the catheter. Pumps have been reported to fail due to battery malfunction and radiation exposure (things like CT scans, X-rays). Catheters are known to kink, dislodge, and clog.
The first step towards diagnosing problems is an evaluation of pump function with the programmable "wand". Next is to take X-rays (or other studies) to look at the catheter for placement of the tip and check for kinks.
The largest amount of research and knowledge about the pumps is actually in the hands of PM&R doctors who have been treating Cerebral Palsy and Spinal Cord Injury patients with spasticity. The intrathecal pumps have been used for many years to deliver baclofen, a muscle relaxant.
Getting a second opinion is always advisable when you are not satisfied with the answers you are getting.
Dr. Christina Lasich, MD
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