ON-Q PainBuster for Post-Op Pain Relief

[Genn]

Hi Everyone!

My Dr. will be using an On-Q Pain pump ( On-Q PainBuster®- Post-op Pain Relief System (U.S) ) for Post-Op pain control.

Does anybody have any experience with this?

When I brought up the "word of the day=Epidural", he said this is what they use and have better results controlling the pain to the localized area and are able to get patients out of bed faster since you are able to use your legs with this .

I'm hoping for some feedback as I would really like to avoid the 'wishing I was dead' post-op pain associated with these major surgeries.

Thanks!

[Pbchoclovr]

Genn,

I'm not sure what kind of machine they used on me for pain control, but I know it worked very well. I had complete control of the meds and was "allowed" to push the button every 8 minutes. I forget how many times I pushed it, but it was way under the every 8 minutes threshold. They kept me on the pump for the first 18 hours or so and then switched me to oral meds. The one thing I made clear to my nursing staff was no matter what time things were done, the one thing I wanted on time was my oral meds. I really had no problems with pain control because my nursing staff was wonderful! Something else that really helped was regular ice packs to lay on. They brought those regulary too.

Hope all goes well tomorrow.

Linda

[Genn]

Thanks Linda

I will also have a PCA Pump as well, until the switch is made to oral medications only. I think, by the sounds of it, that is the machine you were referring to? Not sure..

The On-Q , to my limited understanding, is to act as a supplement to the Epidural. It was explained to me that with using the epidural (while it greatly helps with pain reduction used after the procedure) it limits the patients ability to move/walk around until it is removed. With the On-Q, it has a continuous flow (internally by catheter) of local anesthetic to incision and surgical areas (in this case; Spine) for 3 days of more? As opposed to the epidural needing to be removed the day after the Op to regain use of lower extremities.

It sounds good in theory.. But, so does a lot of things that do not work. LOL If nobody chimes in with using it, I guess I'll have to report back on its effectiveness I hope it works. It trumped my demand for an Epidural. Since I don't know of anybody whose used one, good or bad, I had no further argument. I'm looking like the guinea pig, at the moment

Thanks for the info I'll try to stay on top of the oral meds- on time and, lots, lots and lots of ice packs! Once the transfer to oral meds are made, I can go home. So, thanks a bunch! I will do my best to be as on top of it as you were

P.S. I hope so, too! Thanks and, I'll see you 'on the other side'

Genn,

I'm not sure what kind of machine they used on me for pain control, but I know it worked very well. I had complete control of the meds and was "allowed" to push the button every 8 minutes. I forget how many times I pushed it, but it was way under the every 8 minutes threshold. They kept me on the pump for the first 18 hours or so and then switched me to oral meds. The one thing I made clear to my nursing staff was no matter what time things were done, the one thing I wanted on time was my oral meds. I really had no problems with pain control because my nursing staff was wonderful! Something else that really helped was regular ice packs to lay on. They brought those regulary too.

Hope all goes well tomorrow.

Linda

[Susan.303]

Hi Genn,
I asked the pre-op coordinator about and "Epidural" as well, but I'm not sure she understood. She went on about how continuous pain meds were administered either by epidural or intervenous (Sp?), but I thought the suggestion of an epidural was a single shot(s) at the surgery site prior to any incision. Can someone clarify the "Epidural" request? Even if it isn't in time for us. lol (My surgery is also today).
Thanks! I'll also look through the forums on this topic...since I can't sleep.
Susan

[ajj1001]

Hi Genn,I asked the pre-op coordinator about and "Epidural" as well, but I'm not sure she understood. She went on about how continuous pain meds were administered either by epidural or intervenous (Sp?), but I thought the suggestion of an epidural was a single shot(s) at the surgery site prior to any incision. Can someone clarify the "Epidural" request? Susan

It's placed in before surgery and then kept in for a few days delivering the anaesthetic to numb your abdomen & legs. I had this for my first spine surgery but it wasn't very effective so had a PCA for my next one which worked better for me.