Implantable Drug Pump Enables Back Pain Sufferer To Go The Distance (NAPSA)—Two years ago, old daughter, Larayn. Crampton running ultra-marathons thanks to a medical device that is implanted in his body to control his hobby—running. “Running an ultra-marathon is something I’ve always wanted to do,” says Crampton. “When I was Dave Crampton, 38, couldn’t walk to the end of the block. Today he’s can now also pursue his favorite lower back pain. in pain, I was really discouraged that I would never have an opportunity to achieve that goal. But, In August 1995, Crampton injured his back while throwing a football. Diagnosed with a herni- about six months after the pump implant, I started running again and building stamina. I talked to Dr. Loev about competing in an ated disk, he underwent two sur- gical procedures, but nothing worked to eliminate the dull, aching pain that wrapped around ultra-marathon andhesaid I could his buttocks and lowerleg. Ini- tially treated with oral medication, Crampton soon found that the drugs induced fatigue, making it difficult for him to work, do household chores and participate in recreational activities. “I take classes at night, and it reached the point where I was falling asleep in class and eating Percoset like candy,” says Cramp- ton. “I drive an hour to and from work, and the pain medication was making it difficult to drive and be alert. It says right on the pill bottle ‘do not operate heavy machinery’, but what does that mean? Don’t support your family? I didn’t have a choice. I have a family and a house payment just like everybody. You do what you haveto.” Crampton wasreferred to Dr. Marc Loev, a pain specialist at The Center for Pain Management, LLC in Rockville, MD. “David was in intense pain,” says Loev. “He couldn’t walk to the end of the block without experiencing severe pain, and any activity including sitting, exercising, coughing and sneezing increased the pain.” To relieve Crampton’s pain, Dr. Loev implanted the Medtronic SynchroMed infusion system, which consists of a programmable pump and flexible catheter. The SynchroMed pump is surgically as long as I knew what I was doing and madesure I was comfortable.” Crampton finished the 50-mile marathon and plans to enter the event again next year to improve his time. “I twisted my ankle with about 20 miles to go and really had to slow down to a snail-paced jog. But ’'m grateful I finished. I morphine directly to the intrathe- did not experience any back pain during or after the race, which is awesome!” rounding the spinal cord. Because Not every patient responds to placed under the skin to deliver cal space, a fluid-filled area sur- it is delivered directly to this space, only a fraction of the oral dose is neededto relieve the pain, resulting in fewer drug side effects. Since being implanted with the pump in January 2000, Crampton has continued his work as an electrical applications engineer and is taking classes at night school. Before, back pain kept Crampton from exercising and fully participating in family life. Now he can once again play catch with his son, David, 10, and help his wife Barbara care for their five-month Results with this therapy vary. intrathecal drug delivery the way Crampton did. In addition, while Crampton does not experience any side effects with the therapy, they are possible. Because the pump and catheter are surgically placed, infections may occur. Problems may also occur with the pump and catheter. Some patients also expe- rience drug-related side effects. To learn more about intrathecal drug delivery and the SynchroMed infusion system, visit www.medtronicpain.com or call Medtronic Patient Services at 1800-510-6735.
