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When you use Intrathecal drug delivery therapy, your pain medication is delivered directly to the fluid around the spinal cord, called the “intrathecal space,” via a drug pump.  The drug pump is connected to a thin, flexible catheter.  Both the pump and the catheter are fully implanted under the skin.

With all this good news regarding the reduced side effects, reduced amounts of medication necessary, and no more oral meds for pain (although BTP medications may still have to be available for break-through pain, and if severe spasms are present, and no Baclofen is going to be used in the pump, an oral muscle relaxer may also be needed) the question is, "When?"  




BE PATIENT!!! 


That has been the ongoing question over the past year plus.  WHEN?  Well, with all the red tape, the waiting, the ongoing need for repeat authorizations, the paperwork, the phone calls; those are what add up to a year-- very quickly.  


Now, I have been informed that we are still waiting for a response from the medical group for another Pain Center/Hospital, or another doctor, that will be the ones to implant the pump.  This must be referral/authorization number 9?  Possibly #10.  


This is when the enormous amounts of patience needed comes into play.  That is another deep strength that many of us undergoing medical treatment must learn to aquire.  We learn to be patient, to realize that nothing happens in a day, and that there is no reason to get all bent out of shape when things don't go according to our timeline or desires.  If we were already a patient person, we learn how to become an even more patient patient.   


Also I was told that the IPA denied my request to keep seeing the Pain Management doctor (that I have been seeing for over 7 years,) who no longer is contracted with the IPA, and that if I want to keep seeing him for Pain Management while I await the pump, I must 'Do an Appeal."  


Alright!!  


I have to now fight just to keep my medical care in a state of Continuity?  To stay with the doctor who has dedicated many hours in my care?  Keeping me in a functional level of pain- through careful and time-tested combinations of medications, carefully-chosen exercises, and various other modalities to reduce my pain level.  He is familiar with my spine; familiar with me!!  This is ridiculous.  But....I am not backing down.  If that is what they need, some more paperwork to go through, more busy-work for everyone, so they all have a job to do and can get a paycheck--then let's do it!  I LOVE a challenge!!  And I won't back down.   


I ask of my readers one simple thing:  that you keep my Morphine Pump authorization in your prayers.  I do believe in the power of prayer, when there are many voices, there is much heard.  If you don't pray, I ask that you put out positive thoughts to Mother Universe for this pump trial to be granted to me.  It's not like I am asking for a damn bottle of pills that is utterly ridiculous to ask for--I am asking for something that will reduce the amount of medication I take!!  Something that will allow me (I can only hope) to return to nursing and be back with my beloved Hospice patients, helping them from this life as gently as I can, with the utmost amount of respect and  kindness I hold in my heart.  


It just shouldn't be so damn hard.  


I will continue writing with deeper information on the IDDS.  


Gentle Hugs------<3