I have the pain pump and hate it

[sherri681]

My doc has 4mg per 24hr of dilaudid, I was taking oxycontin 80mg 3xdaily and aqtic 1600mcg 4 time daily and now I have no breakthrough meds and I feel like my pain is worse now with the pump, My doc says I don't need anymore medication because it don't work on me.....I am devistated because I have torn tendons and ligaments in my back by my shoulder blade. I feel like I have a broken wing from my shoulder blade.....is 4mg the most you can have in your pump of dilaudid

[backhurtz]

Medication dosages in a  intrathecal pain pump are doses very differently than dosages provided orally or by IV in a hospital setting.
The reason for this is the concentration of opiate is delivered directly into the spinal fluid rather than traveling through the blood stream .
Opiates delivered through a pump are usually dosed in micrograms versus milligrams used in oral dosing.

[Vikingmom]

There are different meds to try and they can mix it. But the amount in our body by pump is straight to area u dont need the amount that was by mouth. I understand though the pain is always there and probably always will be. The pills gave a hour or two of better relief. But then u have to take more and more to get that short relief. Find another pain doc to talk too. Do a good check on the doctor taking care of your pain. Good luck

[philnoir]

Most people don't understand that doses to control pain using oral opiate analgesic medications like Dilaudid are 100-1000 times stronger than dosages required to control severe pain using an intrathecal (within the spine space) medication delivery pump, like those manufactured by Medtronic. So comparing the analgesic qualities of both routes is like comparing apples to oranges.

So, while a patient may require a Dilaudid dose of 32mg / 24 hours P.O. (or higher) to control severe pain, that same patient may achieve a greater degree of pain relief with an opiate delivered by an intrathecal line, and infusing at a rate of hydromorphone HCL 0.25 mg / 24 hours (or less).

Why such a dramatic decrease in medication requirements? Intrathecal medication route provides direct access to the many opiate receptors in the spinal cord. This immediately down-regulates pain signals going to the brain.

For many in pain, intrathecal pain pumps offer serious pain relief and minimize the problems of opiate dependence, tolerance, and abuse potential. However, they're not for everyone.

Glad that yours is working well for you.

By the way, you were replying to a post that is over 4 years old, and many people move on from MedHelp when their questions are answered or their needs dissolve.

[medtronic2]

I don't understand. I have had a wonderful life changing success with the medtronic pump. In 4 years i have had a few adjustments . My pump contains only dilaudid. I get a whopping . (point) .338 of a(1) milligram over a 24 hour period. I don't understand you people on such high doses of narcotics,. via oral and pump. Sure  about 5 times a year i take a vicodin for pain, thats all .

[72158]

have had 4 disc 6bolts with plates in lower back still have bad pain had stimulator does not work got staff on the first stimulator 2nd does not work going for morphine pump am not sure about it

[sherri681]

MY DOC TOLD ME THAT i WAS ON THE HIGHEST DOSE OF DILAUDID 4MG /24HR IN MEDTRONIC PAIN--NURSE JUST TOLD MY THAT IF I STOP THE PUMP THEY WOULD TAKE ME OFF ALL MEDS BECAUSE MY BODY DOSEN;T RESPOND TO THE MEDS.  i ASKED HER WHAT SHE MEANT AND SHE SAID MY NERVE ENDINGS DON'T RESPOND TO MEDS...I AM GOING TO THE CLEVELAND CLINIC AND NO ONE WANTS TO CHANGE ANY THING UNTIL I GET MY APPT...PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF OTHERS ARE BEING TOLD THEY DON'T RESPOND TO MEDS SO YOU DON'T NEED THEM. AND ALSO HOW DILAUDID IS BEING USED IN PUMP FOR OTHERS...

[sandee1818]

The thing to remember here is that your the boss of your medical care. If your unhappy with the pump then talk to the doctor and if he/she is unwilling to hear your wishes then it is definitely time to get a new doctor. You hired this doctor to treat you and you should be happy with the results.
If your pain is not being controlled then the pump isn't for you and it is time to talk about other options.

[Mollyrae]

Hi sherri:

Sorry to hear of the problem.

No, 4mg of Diaudid is the lowest dose. You can have up to 8mg of Dilaudid.

I'm not suprised that after the very large amounts of opiates..especially the Aqtic....powerful fentanyl, that your pain pump is not working. Basically you're getting 1/4 of the dose you were used to taking. I'm also suprised that you didn't have some type of w/d from it. Also suprised that you weren't prescribed a breakthrough med. That is really protocol.

I would suggest that you either talk to the Doctor and have the pain med increased or stop using the pump and go back to what you were taking.

I don't trust pain pumps anyway...it would have to be a last resort for me.

My best,
Mollyrae

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