After the Procedure
You may be sore for a while after your surgery. This is a normal result of invasive surgery and it should subside in a few days. If your pain persists, however, bring that up to your doctor. It could indicate a complication of the procedure.
Follow-Up Care Is Critical
Having a drug pump implanted requires a lot of follow up visits to the doctor. Risks and complications of the procedure may show up after the pump is in place. Be sure to mention anything out of the ordinary to your doctor.You may need your dosage adjusted, your medication refilled or you may encounter problems with either the pump or the catheter. Your doctor will need to see you periodically to monitor you. The dosage is monitored with telemetry, which is a wireless system that picks up data about your pump.
Read: More About the Follow Up Care
Lifestyle Changes May Be Necessary
You should avoid tanning beds, saunas and diathermy. Also, if you are interested in exercise or other physical challenges, speak with your doctor first.
Other Things to Keep in Mind after the Procedure
After you have the implant, your lifestyle will change. You will be required to show up for subsequent appointments indefinitely, and to have a stable plan for both emergencies and payment of ongoing medical bills.
Sources:
pHisoHex. Drugs.com website.
Dr. Sudhir Diwan, Director Pain Medicine Fellowship Program and Director of the Division of Pain Medicine at Weil-Cornell Medical College of Cornell University. Telephone Interview. May 2008.
Dr. Eugene Lipov. Advanced Pain Management Clinics, Chicago, IL. Personal Interview. April 2008.
Intrathecal drug delivery for the management of pain and spasticity in adults; recommendations for best clinical practice. (provisional document) British Pain Society 2006. London, England.
Lipov, E. Intrathecal Drug Therapy in Chronic Low Back Pain. Low Back Pain: Diagnosis and Treatment. Ch. 34. ASIPP Publishing, American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians. 2002. Paducha, KY.
Gould, H., III, MD, PhD, Understanding Pain: What it is, Why it Happens and How It's Managed. American Academy of Neurology. 2007. New York.
