What to expect when you’re expecting a pain pump implant

For those of you who have found me while searching for information about pain pump implants, here are the details. I don’t pretend to have all of the answers, or even most of them, but this was my experience. I had a difficult time finding people who could tell me what to expect, especially in regards to working fulltime and caring for my kiddos post op.

I have a Medtronic SynchroMed II Drug Pump implanted in my right butt-cheek to help me control my chronic digestive pain. It was implanted on April 17, 2013.

•  The surgery itself was rather uneventful, they knocked me out and when I woke up the pump was already working. They gave me an extra bump of meds twice that day, which helped with the incision pain. I was kept over night for observation and pain control (via IV). I had two incisions: one on my lower spine where they implanted the catheter, and one on my right butt-cheek, where they implanted the pump.
• While in the hospital I took advantage of endless ice packs, they REALLY help. I was up and moving, although in slowly, right away.
• Bring snacks. My surgery was 4 hours behind schedule and by the time I was settled into my room, they didn’t have any food service to offer me. Finally convinced a nurse to make me toast when I almost passed-out in the loo.
• Beware of spinal headaches. I really wish I had asked my Doc about the clinic’s treatment plan for these monster headaches, which are very common after spinal procedures. My headache hit on the way home from the hospital and despite lying in bed for 2 days trying to get fluids and caffeine in, it wouldn’t relent. Unfortunately for me, my clinic didn’t tell me that they wouldn’t do a blood patch (almost instant cure) on the weekend, I was left puking and delirious for the worst 4 days in recent history. Plan for this ahead, so you will know what to do.
• Driving: Between the spinal headache & incision pain, I couldn’t drive for a little over a week. The second week has been painful, the bumps in the road are brutal, but doable with extra cushion. If I had more time to recover, I would have waited to drive for another week or so.
• Childcare: I never plan for enough of this, always assuming I can get back to normal too quickly. Again, because of the headache & pain, I needed someone to care for my young kids completely for the first week, and assistance for the second. It is hard to pick-up my 20 month old, it puts pressure on the incisions, and healing is exhausting.
• Work: I planned to return to work a week after surgery. I postponed it an extra day, and then went back for 2 half-days, before returning in full. When I do this again, I will take 2 weeks off. I have a desk job, and sitting for hours on end is really difficult, even with pillows and ice packs.
• Clothes: My Doc game me a belly wrap that I am to wear over the incisions for a month, it helps hold everything in place while it is healing. This makes it hard to wear my normal pants, so I have  managed with yoga pants and leggings.
• Progress: I am hopeful. I had my second post-op check-up yesterday and they gave me a bump in my pump medication  (with a remote of sorts). It already seems to be taking the edge off a bit, allowing me to take fewer oral medications.

I hope this is helpful, and encourage anyone who has questions to comment here. I am happy to share whatever I can.

**PUMP UPDATE HERE, please read if you are considering a pain pump implant: A Pump Size Rabbit Hole