According to Dr. Lowser (the doctor that installs the ITB)'s office,
Medicare takes care of ALL the costs of the surgery and the refills every
4-6 weeks. (Where did you get 90 days?) I just have to go to the doctor's
office to get the pump refilled, and not have it done at home.

My GP asked me to talk to 10 people that have had the pump installed,
BEFORE I make a decision. This seems like a great idea. He'd not heard of
it, nor had he had time to read to read the literature.

As for FDA approval, there are YEARS of human trials before the FDA
approves anything. Now, I am more interested in what people who have the
pump say is their quality of life after the pump compared to before. :) I'm
looking for (at the very least), easing of spasticity so I can get dressed
w/o fighting with my body and becoming exhausted. Now, I'm ASSUMING that
getting rid of some of the spasticity will also get rid of some of my pain.
:)

I will keep everyone informed about what I experience on Monday.

Dana


*********** REPLY SEPARATOR ***********

On 5/8/99, at 11:02 AM, Denise D. Goodman wrote:

>I was touched to see so many posts regarding the ITB pump.  I've
bookmarked
>the archieves so I can always go back if need be.  Also, I checked out
>several web sites on the actual pump itself.  So far, I'm not too thrilled
>with what I've read.  This device only recently (within the last 3-4
years)
>received FDA approval.  It requires maintance every 90 days, AND the cost
>seems quite prohibative.  I'm still researching, but so far, I'm leaning
>toward NOT going this route.
>
>Bobby said to be "careful" coming off the pain killers.  That's funny?
>Doctor warned me too.  So far it's been four days since I've taken any and
I
>don't notice any problems.  I honestly only took 1/2 to 1 pill a day.  If
I
>tried to take a whole pill at once I got too dizzy and naseous.  The
script
>was up to four pills a day.  I think if I ever did take that many I'd have
>put myself in a coma :D  Anyway,  I didn't think I was addicted, even
though
>I've been taking them for a few years.  If I am, what would be the signs
of
>withdrawl?  How long until they show up?  I started to think I'd get cold
>sweats or DT's or something, but so far, I'm my regular old self.  Anybody
>know the signs of narcatoic withdrawl?
>
>As to the Ativan also being addictive, the doctor also warned me there,
but
>he said I had a legitimate reason for taking them and should not be as
>concerned.  Truthfully, the added Ativan has done more in the way of pain
>management than the actual pain-killers ever did.  All along I knew the
pain
>was because of the spascity (sp?)  Now that my muscles are more relaxed, I
>don't feel so stiff.  It is easier to move about and it doesn't feel like
>someone is punching me all night long in the back when I'm trying to
sleep.
>I forgot what a joy life can be once the pain is under control :D
>
>Bobby said "if you stay on Ativan very long, be very careful coming off
that
>stuff. It's got a very long half life."   Now, you know how much I hate to
>differ with your learned opinion Bobby :D. but if I recall, Ativan is in
the
>Valium family, BUT it has a short Half life.  It is only supposed to stay
in
>the blood stream for 6 hours, versus the valium which I believe is 3 days.
 I
>read the med-line reports and spoke to a physician prior to taking the
drug.
>If my info is faulty- PLEASE, correct me.  I'd hate to be injesting
>medication under false pretense :D
>
>Mag and Linda asked where is Dr. Brody located?  He is in West Palm Beach
>Florida and is affliated with Bethesda Hospital.  I honestly lucked out.
My
>husbands employer switched to this no name (Sun Star) HMO group.  I was
>certain it would be filled with those just starting out who needed to
build a
>practice.  I could not believe how great Dr. Body (a well established and
>respected) ended up in an HMO, but hey, I'm happy he did.
>
>Lastly- Good luck to  Dana on Monday.  Make certain you let us know how it
>goes with the doctor.  - Thanks again!  Denise.