When I looked into a pain pump, prior to the spinal cord stimulators, I was informed by the dr. that the amount of medicine one gets via the pain pump is way less than one takes orally as it goes right into the system and doesn't have to go through the stomach etc. Supposedly the amount you get is pretty small and thus less side effects than one gets from taking it orally.

He also told me that sometimes they have to play around to find the right doseage and combination of meds. once the pain pump is implanted. Some get straight morphine, some get straight dilaudid, and others get some other meds. added in, probably as potentiators.

He told me to go get a spinal cord stimulator for my particular needs as he said you pretty much marry the dr. who gives you the pain pump unless you can find another who'll take over your case.

This is all I knows..hope it helps a little