I've seen some questions about pain pumps. I had a bad accident in 83, and had
two spinal fusions. I went from being a workaholic to being out of work... Full
body casts can test the metal of the best person....
I had my first pump in 1995. It was a morphine pain pump, and absolutely changed
the quality of my life for about 5 years. As time went by, I developed a
tolerance to the morphine, and had fentanyl put in. Each year he would change
from one drug to the other, which actually worked quite well.
I no longer walked with a cane, could go jet skiing with my kids, deep sea
fishing, etc. It was truly like a gift from God. I wouldn't trade those years
for anything.
Gradually, I needed more and more medication, and got to the point of taking
oral meds for "breakthrough" pain. The pain gradually increased to being very
challenging again, and the dew seemed to be off the rose as far as the pump was
concerned.
I have built up a good business which I can run from home. Keeping my mind busy
and earning a good living keep my spirits up. I do physical therapy at home each
day.
In 2001, arachnoiditis was diagnosed from an MRI. I was not told about that
until 2004, when a neurosurgeon looked at me sadly and said there was nothing he
could do for that, and there was no treatment that he knew of. There are no
words to describe the challenges of arachnoiditis.
I am in the process of getting a spinal stimulator implanted. I have had the
trial stimulator, and it worked famously.
If any of you are interested in emailing me privately, feel free.
All the best,
Jay