Ziconotide and Blurred Vision: What Users Say

• Mim...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 16, 2020

Ziconotide for Chronic Pain "I have had 3 different Medtronic pumps over the years. In April 2016, I had a new pump implanted and filled with Prialt. Immediately, my gait was affected, but the 3 years I had it, I suffered severe memory loss, renal problems, blurry vision, hoarse voice, confusion, slow thyroid, music in my head. I had to quit driving because I would forget where I was or where I was going. I would fixate on a thought or issue, and no amount of facts would change my mind. Tremors/seizure, but no loss of consciousness, headaches. I think I had 75% of known side effects. I had the Prialt removed in April 2019. After about 4 weeks, the side effects began to subside. I still have the memory loss, the pain in my arms and legs, though my ears ring, but no music. Occasionally, I have tremors. Prialt did tame my pain, but what the side effects did to me is not worth it."

• Lyn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2020

Ziconotide for Chronic Pain "My doctor added Prialt to my pain pump in October 2020. Within a week, I started to show side effects, my stomach bloated up, I had nausea, diarrhea, headaches, dizziness, blurry eyes, mucus in my throat, and a burning sensation throughout my body. Then, I started experiencing memory loss and confusion. Along with gastrointestinal problems, I began to vomit blood. I was hospitalized for severe gastritis, ulcers, and gastrointestinal bleeding. But they didn’t understand why I was getting the other symptoms. They prescribed me some medications for my stomach, but I continued to get more sick. I couldn’t eat or sleep. Finally, in December 2020, my Prialt was removed, and within a couple of days, I felt so much better. Most of my symptoms have gone away. Still having memory problems and some stomach issues. My advice is to do your research. Ask yourself, 'What conditions do I have? What medications am I on?'' Get as much info as you can."

• Sco...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2019

For Chronic Pain "I have been on Prialt now for 5 months, and it's amazing. Better than morphine or fentanyl easily. I can't believe how well it works for pain. I am still shocked at the life it gave back to me. The side effects can be bad, but it depends on you. My complaint is the blurred vision. I need to wear glasses now, but I'll take it over being crippled from the pain. Being able to walk without a cane or assistance is amazing. Sleeping instead of being kept up by constant spinal pain. It took months to get the right dose since we started out at 1.5 rate. I am only at 2.5, and it's more relief than I ever got from any other drug, oral or in the pump."