Re: baclofen pump

paul sullivan (paul(AT)kymtnnet.org)
Fri, 19 Dec 1997 15:03:03 -0700

Phiggy24 wrote:
>
> i am currently taking 30 mg of baclofen and am using a catapress patch to
> control spasticity,and the side effects from these are too much for me.i am
> always tired from the baclofen and the patch gives me headaches,fatigue,and
> heart flutters.i am considering switching to a baclofen pump.i was wondering
> if anyone on the list has one?if so, i wanted to know if:there are any side
> affects ,how often does it have to be refilled,if the surgery is inpatient or
> outpatient, how often it has to be replaced,and does it make you tired?i am i5
> years old and have had tm for almost two years,i can walk fine except for a
> slight limp on my left leg but with the medicene im on currently my legs get
> stif easy in cold weather or when im nervous.so if anyone is using a pump,id
> be happy for a reply thanks==anna

Dear Anna
sorry to here you have spasticity, i have to say it controlled my
life for 4 years, then a dr. tried a stimulator implant that worked
grate, for about 4 mounths then scartissue grew and and quit working, i
still have it in my body, after it quit doc said let me put a baclofen
pump in, but earlyer i had a reaction to the baclofen, broke out in
little blisters on skin, so dr. tried to have me desenatised to it, but
just would not work, so he tried morphine and it worked so we went with
it, it gave my life back, i got to where i could run with my boys and go
out in public once again, it worked grate, for about 9 or 10 mounths
then even though i was taking the lowest dose of morphine one day
started getting dizzy put me to bed for about a mounth then one day i
got up just to fall to the ground having a heart attack then 3 days
later waking up with tm, with all my heart i think the pump or the
morphine caused my tm, have not proved it yet got someone on it, they
saying they put the wrong medc. in the pump so, if you get the pump
please lision to your body and if any thing starts gong wrong find out
what making the problem, don't be like me i now am a complet from t12
down, and this chair is no good, but i do understand what spasms can do
to a person, now i have no spasms at all, thats the only good thing
about this tm. i was 39 when i got tm and while in rehab turned 40 been
here 2 years now, i do understand what you go though with the spasms,
and cold weather and if you get nerveous it will get even worse, i sure
hope you win the battle with it i know i lost, the oper. was a peace of
cake, nothing to it, just in the hosp. for about 2 days, still have pump
hope to have the stimulator and pump takin out soon both are cut off
just in my way now, if you need to ask any more questions just ask, i
know this is a good place to find out dr. know what they read we know
what we feel, i know there is more with the pump here be good to see
what they have got to say my body just dont like to take medc. i cant
hardly take anything at all, so i do hope the best, and may you find
peace and joy from them spasms they are a killer. good luck,
Hill-Billy Paul