Baclofen/Morphine pump...trial on Friday

[addicted2harleys]

Well, first off, one of big fears became a reality yesterday morning.  I fell while taking a shower.  Pulled the shower curtain down with me.  Broke the head off the shower wand in the process, too.  I am sore today and have a couple of gnarly bruises, one below my right rib and the other on my left butt cheek.  How that happened doesn't compute, but the bruising doesn't lie.  

Anyway, today I saw my pain management doc.  He did change my vicodin to percecet and set up the trial test for the pump on Friday morning.  I guess I will be in the surgical end of his office for 6-8 hours.  He is also setting up for someone from the manufacturer company for the pump (or something like that) to call me.  I guess they will explain the actual pump that will be implanted in me to me and stuff.  If all goes well with the trial, I can get the pump within the next week or so.

I can't even imagine how much this is going to cost.  I just got a Medicare statement yesterday for my LP and was absolutely shocked.  The price for that was $3,534.85.  Wow!

Anyways, now that this is actually beginning to be a reality, I am scared.  Here I have been working towards getting this done for my severe muscle spasms/pain and now that it is in the works, the fear is setting in.

I have read everything there is to read on the web regarding the pump, how it works, the process itself, the pros and cons...so it isn't fear of the unknown.  It is fear of getting cut open, surgery, IV's....I get the willies just thinking about it.  I still have bruises from the last IV...took three tries to get it right.  Don't forget, I am allergic to needles.  

Addi

[tiredaz]

Oh Addi, you're doing so well.  Just think of all you're taking on right now.  Planning a move to Arizona is really a big job and it seems you'll be making the right move.  Getting your bathroom set up for your safety will be a big step, and something I've been putting off for a couple of years.  Your resolve is a big inspiration to me.

I'll be hoping this implant really works for you.  This will be great.  Let us know the outcome.  We're all looking for comfort and relief.

Thinking of you, Linda

[addicted2harleys]

Thank you so very much for your support, everyone.  It means more to me than you all know.  

Ess, I keep my eyes closed, too.  My whole body seems to move around when the nurses head my way with a needle.  Somehow, I am able to keep whatever arm they are checking and preparing completely still, with the rest of my body in motion.  It bothers me so much that I am such a wuss when it comes to needles.  Thanks so much for the tips on how to get through it.  :)

I am trying real hard to not think of the surgery aspect of any of this because, you are absolutely right, when I wake up it will be done and over with.   Thanks so much for pulling for me.  I mean that.  I am pulling for you, too.  Both of our pain needs to get under control.  

Sidestep, thank you for that.  I do know that I will be completely out for the test on Friday.  For me, that is pretty much a necessity.  I get far to anxious to even consider being awake.   lol   I hope this will be a positive change for me, too.  Thank you so much!

Lulu, thank you for your thoughtful words of encouragement.  This is so very helpful for me.  It tends to keep me focused on the good and the outcome that I so hope to receive....better quality of life.  Friday will be here before I know it.  2 more days!   It makes me feel the light at the end of this tunnel I am in.  

Raz, thank you for your support.  It means so much to me to feel like you all are right here with me.  It gives me strength, which I had misplaced in the last few weeks.  Don't wait on getting that shower chair!   I do have one that has a back on it.  I felt I needed that extra support of having a back.  I do find it more helpful that the other one I had with no back on it.  And, you are absolutely right about my being through a lot worse things than what will be happening on Friday.  Thank you for reminding me of that.  it is something good for me to remember.  

Ren, Cheesy and Kristi, thank you so much for showing support for me.  It truly keeps me going and is bringing back my strength that I had misplaced.  Hugs and much thanks to you all!  Cheesy, I am so very sorry to hear of tour miscarriage.  

Raz, as far as what the trial test is...the doctor will be injecting a solution of Baclofen and morphine into my spinal fluid on Friday.  It is to see if it relieves my muscle spasms and pain in any way.  With the solution injected directly in the spinal fluid, I should show at least a 30% decrease in the symptoms.  If this reduction of pain/spasms doesn't happen on Friday, then I will not be a good candidate for the pump.   If it does happen, then I will be a good candidate for the pump and they will inplant it in me as soon as possible.  They do the test first because the implant and use of the pump is very expensive and they don't want to do the implant only to learn that it isn't helpful.  

I should have included this in my original post, but as far as my bathroom safety...I do have a shower chair.  It was actually in the shower with me when I fell.  I do use it for showering, but I have to stand up to rinse my hair.  My shower wand (can't think of what it is called)...anyways, the length of the hose isn't long enough to reach all of my hair...my hair is so long I sit on it.  So, I have to stand to rinse my hair.  I also have grab bars...but they have not been installed.  They are still in their boxes, sitting in the bathroom.  :(   When I got them, we asked the landlord to put them up.  He never did because he says he doesn't know how.  I do believe that if they were installed I would not have fallen.  

Showering has become a scary thought to me.  We have the shower/bathtub combo.  The chair I have, which is a really good one, doesn't fit in my tub too well.  When we moved into this place we knew we needed some safety items in place for me.  I do have handrails for the toilet, so I am ok there.  We did buy and install a shower head with the hose but we should have gotten one with a longer hose on it.  We thought I could make due with it because we also bought the hand rails I would need.  But, like I said, the rails were never installed.  :(

We are moving to AZ in about a month, so we are not going to push getting the rails put in.  I was talking to Mary (twopack) on the phone yesterday and she gave me a very simple but adequate idea so I don't have to stand up to rinse my hair.  It just might do the trick.  I will take a pitcher with me in the shower that I can fill up to pour over my head for rinsing my hair.  

Our new house in AZ has a step in shower for me.  And it is big enough for my seat to fit in.  I will have my son install my hand rails in the shower and also a shower head with a longer hose.  So, I should be set to go with safe showering.  :)

Well, I am pretty loopy right now.  My body was not quite used to taking Oxi's.  So, I will sign off now because I think I am babbling...

Addi

[cheesymum]

Jumping on the bandwagon here....

Ouch, ouch, ouch!  on the fall.  It's a good thing you weren't hurt more seriously!  But, ego and butt cheeks heal.  ;)  Very gentle hugs to you.

I'll have you in my thots and prayers on Friday that all goes well for you.  I've only ever been "out" once and that was for my miscarriage that didn't complete.  So, I don't have much advice for the anticipatory worries but with all the support you have here, you should fly through it on angels' wings!

[rendean]

Dear Addi,
I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers on Friday that all goes smoothly, needles and all. Just focus on the end result...pain relief!!!

As for the shower...I am so sorry you fell!!! Why no shower bars???? While you're asking for a script for the bars, ask for a script for a shower chair. I "test drove" one (long story) and they are great!

Keeping you in my thoughts and sending comforting hugs!!!!!

Ren

[Starryeyes2]

You're in my prayers!! Let us know how it goes.

Take Care!
Kristi

[RazCarver]

Ouch! ya gotta be careful Addi, showers can be hazardous to your health. been saying I need a shower chair with a back. maybe we both need to really get one.

I'm no help with the fear of surgery. I have a fear of being put under so...
I don't understand what a trial test for the pump is but i hope it goes good and you get the pump and that it helps you tons. I do know you have lots of folks rooting for you and standing by you.  Reading your posts, you have been through a lot worse then this!

joining the line thats standing with you
Raz.

[Lulu54]

Addi, I am so glad that you are ok and didn't hurt yourself.  It sounds like it is time for some hand rails or other precautions for the shower.

As for the pump, I understand it can make such a difference in quality of life.  You are lucky that it is being offered as an option and I will certainly keep positive thoughts that you will have immediate relief.  That is really fast - Friday will be here soon and you will feel like a new Addi.  

hang in there,
Lu

[Sidesteps]

Addi, I've had surgery a couple of times. The anticipatory anxiety is the worst!! It's not all that bad once you get there and if you are super anxious ask your doctor about prescribing a little something to relax you a bit. They will sometimes allow you to take a little valium or something similar with some water in the morning. Don't be afraid to ask.

I am sorry about your fall. I am glad that you are okay except your ego and body is bruised. I hope this will be a positive change for you.

(((hugs)))

[essdipity]

I'm really hoping that this pump helps you. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Laural is right about surgery. I've had loads and they wake you when it's over, so from that aspect, you're not really there! Just keep in mind that with any luck the outcome will be well worth it. As for needles, there's no law saying you have to watch. Keep your eyes elsewhere. Personally, I manage MRIs by closing my eyes the whole time and then I'm not in that tube. It's amazing how one can manipulate stuff mentally, and you can too.

I'm so sorry you fell in the shower. Do you have appropriate grips and grab bars? That's another aspect that's worth it.

All medical costs are outrageous, but this isn't the time to focus on that. At least you have Medicare, and can get the help you need.

Chin up, Addi! I'm pulling for you.

ess

[addicted2harleys]

Hi, MissL-

Yeah, I am glad I didn't hit my head, too.  My pride was hit pretty hard, though.  My daughter was the one who came rushing in the bathroom.  

I will be knocked out for both the trial and the procedure.  That does make it easier to proceed with...if I was awake I would probably freak.  Lol!  When I had my tubal it was immediately after my daughter was born.  They were just gonna do it with the epidural I had.  When they wheeled me into the operating room, I kinda panicked.  All that white and the thought of them cutting me...anyways, they ended up knocking me out.  :)

I have read that this is very helpful for spasms, too.  I hope this will be my answer for that part of my issues and maybe give me back some quality of life.  That alone is what is making me say, okay let's do this.

Medicare only picked up like $350 of the cost of the LP.  I have secondary MediCal, which will pick up the remainder.  I won't have to pay any of it.  I know there are different plans with Medicare.  With different coverage types.  I didn't check into them because my type was automatic because I was on MedCal.  

Thanks, MissL....

Hugs,
Addi

[MissLauraI]

Addi- so sorry to hear about your fall. I am glad that you didn't hot your head! The great thing about surgery (if there us a great thing) is the fact that they knock you out so you don't even know what happens...unless you are doing twilight sleep. But even then you don't care :D

If this helps your spasms, you will probably be really glad. I have read that this seems to work well for spasms.

Holy cr@p that is expensive for an LP. Does medicare pick up the tab for that or is there a share of cost?

I was wondering how good medicare was for anyone with MS...

I will be thinking of you and keeping you in prayer

Laural