Kttn,
I saw where you responded to the Balcofen pump post. I have a pump that is a 90 day pump. My former PM dr refilled my pump within a couple weeks of the 90 days. My new PM dr refills my pump every 6 weeks. You know the pump itself is a small thing and really does not hold a terrific amt of medication. My new dr says the longer the medication sits in these pumps the less effective the medication becomes!!! That is why she changes her pumps 6 weeks. After she said that and explained it made perfectly good sense.
Now let me tell you about the refill. Its nothing, the first 6 months my stomach area was numb from the surgery and I felt nothing. At no time has anyone ever hurt me sticking a needle in to fill my pump ever, I promise. I don't know how to explain it but there is no pain involved and I do have the feeling back in my stomach.
My nurse always feels around on the pump and locates where the little port is. She then takes this little disc that reminds me of a cd only smaller and marks her spot. I can honestly say she has my pump drained and refilled before I know it. Most of the time I do not realize she is done and she says ok, you can sit up now and I will program you. So far, I have had 3 different nrses and one dr fill my pump and none of them have ever hurt.
My pump sits a little high up on the right side. They no longer put them in waist level because they can slip. People that wore their pants to tight had their pumps to flip, so now they put them in a little higher up. I did not have a binder either. From what I understand on the binder its to help hold the pump in place so that it cannot move around while the scar tissue heals over it.
My pump had medication put in the day it was implanted too. Wanted to try and help sooth your fears over the refills....Susie
crohns disease dx 2002 & small bowel resection, still looking for remission whatever that is, chronic pain 22 yrs, added ulcerative colitis 6-05 to the mix, high blood pressure 28 yrs, aortic heart valve insuffiency, peripheral neuropathy hands & feet, COPD & on oxygen therapy, lupus & decreased circulation in both legs. Too many surgeries to list and too many medications to list. Currently on 16 different daily medications. Intrathecal pain pump implanted June 05.
Post Edited (straydog) : 6/17/2009 12:34:58 AM (GMT-6)