Successful pain management involves a partnership between you and your healthcare
providers. This partnership involves responsibilities for both parties. Your healthcare
provider’s responsibilities include keeping you as comfortable as possible
with minimal side effects and responding to your pain management needs in a timely
manner.
Your responsibilities as a patient include setting realistic goals for your pain
management, maintaining open communication with your healthcare providers, and
keeping your scheduled pump refill appointments.
What happens if I miss a scheduled appointment?
It is very important for you to keep your refill appointments
so that the pump does
not run dry. If you cannot keep an appointment, be sure to call your doctor or
nurse
for alternate arrangements.
Will people notice the CODMAN 3000 pump?
You will notice a slight bulge at the location where the system is implanted.
But under loose-fitting clothing, it can’t be noticed. Remember, at first
the pump at your side may take some time to get used to. However, many patients
tell us that shortly after the implant they don’t even realize it is there.
Do I have to limit my activities?
Once you have recovered from surgery, you will be able
to continue most of the
activities you enjoyed before the surgery. Your doctor or nurse will be able to
give
you guidelines, however there are a few specific things to remember:
Avoid rough physical activity like contact sports to protect the pump site.
Avoid deep sea and scuba diving. Increased pressures will affect the flow rate of the pump. Snorkeling and swimming will have no effect on the flow rate, so you may continue these activities.
Do not place heating pads and/or water bottles directly over the pump implant
site.
Direct contact of the heating pad or water bottle over the pump pocket site will increase the local temperature, thereby causing the pump to flow slightly faster.
Minimize your exposure to saunas and hot tubs for extended periods of time.
Prolonged exposure will elevate your body temperature and may cause your pump to flow faster.
Let your doctor know if you plan to travel by air or move to another location as your pain medication may need to be adjusted.
Call your doctor or nurse if you have a fever, if there is any change at your pump site, or if your pain management is ineffective.
Will I need to have the pump forever?
The majority of patients do continue their pump therapy
indefinitely. If the cause of
the patient’s pain is eliminated, the pump can be surgically removed while
the patient
is weaned off of pain medications.
Can I travel with my pump?
Your CODMAN 3000 Pump should not stop you from enjoying
travel. It is your responsibility
to let your doctor know before you travel if you plan to be away for longer
than your scheduled refill period. Your doctor can refer you to a physician in
another
area while you are on vacation. Although unlikely, it is possible that the airport
security system will detect your pump. If this does occur, simply present your
Codman
Patient Identification Card to the security personnel.
Can I safely have an MRI procedure with the pump?
Yes. The pump is made of surgical grade titanium which
does not affect an MRI and has
had extensive testing done by Codman to confirm this.
Will my insurance company pay for the CODMAN 3000 Pump?
Insurance coverage differs from company to company. However, most insurance
companies will provide financial support for the placement and care of the pump.
To be sure, check with your insurance carrier to determine the extent of your
coverage.
I'm concerned about addiction. Do I have reason to a worry?
Addiction is uncommon in patients who take pain medication
for pain. The following
definitions will help you understand the different terms.
Addiction is the psychological dependence on a drug and involves compulsive
abnormal behavior to obtain the drug for non-medical purposes. Addiction causes a person to take more drugs then is needed with little or no decrease in their pain.
Tolerance is the process in which increased amounts of pain medication is needed in order to achieve the same amount of pain control.
Physical dependence is a physical state of reliance on pain medication when the drug is withheld
Withdrawal occurs when pain medications are abruptly stopped or reversed and symptoms emerge. Common symptoms associated with withdrawal include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, agitation, anxiety, and sleeplessness.
