Embracing life with chronic pain and illnesses.

Posts tagged ‘pain pumps’

Pain Pump Trial

After months of fighting my old insurance which ultimately would not approve a pain pump trial no matter what my pain specialist and I did, it took a change of insurance to open the door for the possibility.

I went through the psychologic assessment with a wonderful Clinical Psychologist. (An ordeal that I wrote about earlier.) I was anxious to see the finished report and, most of all, to find out if the trial had been approved.

At the end of last week, I received the phone call. I was approved for the pain pump trial!! I am SO excited! I will undergo the test at the end of next week. My pain specialist has determined that Prialt (ziconotide) will be the drug to be administered into the spinal column.

Per Aetna.com:

“Prialt (ziconotide intrathecal infusion) is a non‐opioid N‐type calcium channel blocker analgesic. It is a synthetic conopeptide derived from the venom of the piscivorous marine snail, Conus magus. Prialt (ziconotide intrathecal infusion) is a calcium channel blocker specific to the neuronal calcium channels that regulate synaptic transmission in nociceptive neurons.”

I was also given the good news that I will only have to remain for four hours of observation and follow up will be conducted via phone. My hubby and/or son will have to be with me for the next 24 hours. This in leu of an overnight stay at a hospital is so heartwarming! Will be nice to be home to compare how I can move about the house.

I am intrigued by this non-opioid option and anxious for the upcoming trial!

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Psychological Review and Pain Pump

I received the written report from the Clinical Psychologist I had seen. She did such a great job in summarizing and clearly demonstrating the impact my conditions. She also officially provided another important diagnosis…I have been diagnosed with Somatic Symptom Disorder with predominant pain, persistent, severe. This is a huge step in moving forward with the pain pump trial!

I was able to forward a copy of the report via fax to my advocate who has all ready submitted it to Social Security Disability. My pain specialist has all ready submitted to insurance with the request to authorize the trial. Most importantly, it has been approved!!! By Tuesday of next week, I should have all the final instructions…the procedure is penciled in for Thursday, February 24.

I am excited to again be on track! This will be a huge step…to see if a pain pump will be an option for me.

If you find yourself in the position of having psychological testing, remember that you do not have to take the long test on the computer. Those of us dealing with conditions that affect the use of our hands would benefit greatly from the “written” test. Be sure to stand up for yourself! I don’t want anyone else to go through the five day flare that the computer testing caused me. (I did advise my doctor of this; and, she was going to review with staff that there is an alternate format for the long test.)

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