Need Advice

[jengar26]

I have had one lousy surgery after another, like most here.  I have my second SCStimulor and am wanting a pain pump because the meds are killing the one good system I have left: my digestive tract.  My doctor says I have to go a whole month before the trial with pain meds.  How on earth am I supposed to do that?  I am crying after one morning without help.  My pain management doctor who won't be doing the implant wants to give me meds to easy withdrawals but doesn't have any other suggestions to get through the month.  Is this standard practice to need a whole drug free month?  What other meds have some of you used to get through it.  My pain guy is a colossal jerk but I have no where else to go.  He has treated me only with hydro and oxycododone.  What have some of you done to survive this time?  Thanks in advance.

[backhurtz]

The surgeon who plans to implant a pump or conduct the trial for the pain pump may decide that oral meds need to be discontinued for a bit before the trial and implantation to get a real picture of pain control during the trial and to avoid having to use higher doses of post implantation meds during the surgical recovery period. Not all do but some do.
Topical pain relief patches, anti inflammatory meds can sometimes help manage pain during that month .